"Books cling to me.

They fly down to me - ran up and attach themselves to me.

I have loved them for so long; large and small, thick and thin, rare and cheap editions.

They should not be too neat, like suits from the tailors; but they should not be clad in greasy rags. A book should lie in the hand like a well-adjusted tool.

I have loved them so much that they have begun to love me back. Books burst open like ripe fruit in my hands and fold back their petals like magic flowers, bearing the seed of thought, a stimulating word, an apt quotation, a useful illustration."

Sergei Eisenstein.

This resource constitutes one of the richest and most important collections of specialised creative theatre material, tools and human resources to be found anywhere in the world.

The value of the collection is enhanced by the existence of John M. Blundall who amassed the Collection over nearly fifty years, and uses it as a major teaching tool for intending creative theatre professionals, teachers, researchers, archivists and conservationists. Also as unique visitor attraction to extend the knowledge and awareness of creative theatre – an art of expression as old as humankind.

The Collection is a major resource for formal and higher education, and professional training. It is also effortlessly multicultural, and represents most cultures worldwide.

One of the major components of the collection is a unique library or bibliotech. It consists of some six thousand volumes. Many of them of major international importance, from the 19^th and 20^th centuries, and from most parts of the world. The collection also contains thousands of original research documents dealing with all aspects of creative theatre.

It includes:

• Volumes dealing with all aspects of the Punch and Judy Show, from the 19^th and 20^th century. Including works illustrated by numerous important illustrators including George Cruikshank. Also rare 19^th century children’s books.
• 19^th and 20^th century books on the Toy Theatre or Juvenile Drama.
• Puppet theatre magazines from many parts of the world.
• Original research manuscripts related to puppets, masks and performing objects worldwide.
• Many volumes dealing with the history of the theatre and the fine arts related to the puppet and mask theatre.
• Children’s classical and folk literature worldwide.
• Volumes dealing with film, television, toys, games and automata.
• Volumes related to the Mir Iskusstva and the designers of the Diaghilev Russian Ballet.
• Volumes related to the history and development of theatre and puppet theatre scenography
• Collections of programmes and publicity material from international puppet theatre.
• Collections of correspondence with international puppeteers.
• Collections of puppet and mask material from the Internet.

Other elements include:

• Prints and engravings related to the puppet theatre from the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th centuries.
• Japanese woodblock prints of puppets. Also two paintings on silk.
• Original works on paper and other supports.
• A vast collection of postcards on the subject of Punch and Judy from the 19^th and 20^th centuries.
• A collection of postcards worldwide.
• 19^th and 20^th century Punch and Judy artefacts in various materials.
• National and international ephemera related to the puppet theatre.
• Toy theatre sheets, theatres and original drawings from the 19^th and 20^th centuries.
• 19^th and 20^th century puppet theatre posters for national and international puppet theatre, many designed by some of the finest graphic artists.
• Original designs and scale models for the puppet theatre productions of John. M. Blundall.
• Original puppets and masks by John M. Blundall.
• Copies and new inventions of puppets and masks by John M. Blundall.
• Specialised Victorian and Japanese tools for the creation of puppets and masks.
• German Tin Toys of puppeteers.
• German painted glass Christmas globes showing traditional puppets
• Magic lantern slide featuring Punch and Judy.
• Slide and photographic archive of productions of Cannon Hill Puppet Theatre, and national and international puppets and puppet theatre.
• Postage stamps and first-day covers featuring puppets from many countries.
• Badges from puppet theatres worldwide.
• The smallest readable puppet book, and the smallest moving Punch and Judy show in the world.
• Videos.
• Sound archive.

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All images and content are copyright of John M Blundall and Stephen Foster or are part of The John M Blundall Collection unless stated otherwise