Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2015 12:52:16 GMT -7
Hi all! I know this isn't *completely* Teddy related, but a couple of months ago I had the opportunity to purchase a really incredible prototype put together by WOW, and I'm wondering if there would be some interest if I share pictures with you guys.
If some of you recall, WOW had worked on some licensing deals right before they went bankrupt, and one of them was with Jim Henson. They released Little Boppers (like Miss Piggy) and planned on making actual animatronic talkers and a book series. The prototype I won is actual prints from the art and marketing team of illustrations from a proposed book and an actual blue and white prototype book of the first Muppets line of books. What's awesome is there's even a hint towards some kind of toy that makes the book come to life listed in the materials. The dates on these prototypes are RIGHT before WOW filed bankruptcy, so it's to be assumed that these books were never approved beyond WOW's art team and never went to print -- and also suggests a "magical" book toy prototype exists. Does this interest anyone? If so, I'll make sure to take some pictures this weekend and share!
Elle
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Post by kaylathehedgehog on Jul 30, 2015 7:36:35 GMT -7
Ooh, it definitely sounds interesting. Can't wait to see them.
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cecruxpin
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Post by cecruxpin on Aug 14, 2015 7:00:03 GMT -7
Can't wait to see it too this is going to be AMAZING!
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Post by TRO Admin on Sept 1, 2015 13:36:34 GMT -7
It would be fascinating to see photos! Please share. And, since I've once again been away for way too long, a belated welcome to our forums!
I own a couple of rare pieces now too that I need to share photos of- including plaster mockups of Teddy & Grubby that Ken hand crafted as they were getting things designed back in '84.
While assisting AlchemyII with archive consolidation last year I also was able to photograph the Gimmick prototype.
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Post by kaylathehedgehog on Sept 1, 2015 19:54:36 GMT -7
It would be fascinating to see photos! Please share. And, since I've once again been away for way too long, a belated welcome to our forums! I own a couple of rare pieces now too that I need to share photos of- including plaster mockups of Teddy & Grubby that Ken hand crafted as they were getting things designed back in '84. While assisting AlchemyII with archive consolidation last year I also was able to photograph the Gimmick prototype. 0.0 I wanna see, I wanna see, I wanna seeeeeeee... |
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Post by sixthcrystal on Sept 2, 2015 8:05:00 GMT -7
(sorry to start up an old thread  ) i would LOVE to see what the promotional one looked like!! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2015 17:50:51 GMT -7
Sorry for the delay, guys! Work got busy. >.< I'll try and get pictures with natural light tomorrow when the sun's back up (it get's dark so early now here in the midwest). I actually started a blog for my TR collection and research that I've done through college on Teddy and WOW -- I'll share the post with you guys to check out.
Josh, you're so lucky! I tried setting up an interview with Ken a few years ago but his wife told me he was busy at the time. Also, not sure if you remember, but I reached out to you when I was doing my undergraduate research on Teddy a few years ago as well. I'm still passionate about seeing behind the scenes stuff from when he was produced. Please share the pictures when you can of Gimmick! <3 <3
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Post by kaylathehedgehog on Sept 28, 2015 7:21:28 GMT -7
Sweet! Can't wait to see them.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2015 16:20:09 GMT -7
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Post by kaylathehedgehog on Sept 28, 2015 19:27:59 GMT -7
Very neat! It kind of remind of those educational toys that came with special books, and when you pressed a certain part of the book, it would say something about what your pressed. Can't for the life of me remember what it's called, though.
Either way, it's a really cool find.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2015 20:19:37 GMT -7
Right?! I agree! I actually reached out to the seller and asked her how she acquired it. She told me she was an ex-WOW employee and when they went under, basically anything and everything was free for the taking, so employees were taking endless amounts of products and even prototypes. She primarily grabbed Teddy and Grubby connector cords and boxed cassettes, but this was one of the random things she also grabbed. Interesting, huh.
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Post by kaylathehedgehog on Sept 29, 2015 7:00:23 GMT -7
Ah, to have been an employee at the time. Sadly, I was still in diapers when WOW was still active.
It'd be nice to know what happened to all that stuff.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2015 16:53:44 GMT -7
I apologize for the following pun, but, wow! Awesome picture. Elle, look for a PM from me. |
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Post by BeachBear on Dec 4, 2015 23:55:48 GMT -7
Thank you so much for sharing! From one new user to another - Welcome!
Congratulations on such a rare find, too. If I may ask, how did you manage to come into possession of this item?
Do you have any other information or documentation about this prototype?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2015 10:27:16 GMT -7
Hey BeachBear, I acquired it through Ebay. $30 including shipping -- I was shockingly the only bidder. All I know is what I stated above -- " She told me she was an ex-WOW employee and when they went under, basically anything and everything was free for the taking, so employees were taking endless amounts of products and even prototypes. She primarily grabbed Teddy and Grubby connector cords and boxed cassettes, but this was one of the random things she also grabbed." I have no idea if a prototype toy exists for it (either talking Muppets or the "magic book" toy that the books fit into. I'd like to think so! So interesting to me. I wonder what it must have been like to tell Jim Henson himself, sorry about your licensing deals and prototypes with us. We're filing Chapter 11.
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