Many of the original Rankin/Bass puppets were not preserved and have deteriorated over time. However, some have been restored and are now in the hands of private collectors or museums.
Rankin/Bass Productions, the company behind iconic holiday specials like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” used a form of stop-motion animation called “Animagic,” which involved detailed puppets. Unfortunately, the significance of these puppets as cultural artifacts was not fully appreciated at the time they were created, and many were not stored under proper conditions, leading to their deterioration.
Over the years, some of the surviving puppets have been found in various states of disrepair. For instance, Santa and young Rudolph puppets from the “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” special were discovered in storage at the former Rankin/Bass offices or in the possession of former employees. These puppets were often made from materials like felt, leather, and wood, which are susceptible to decay over time, especially if not kept in climate-controlled environments.
In some cases, dedicated fans and collectors have taken it upon themselves to restore these puppets. The restoration process can be quite intricate, involving the replacement of missing parts, careful cleaning, and sometimes the recreation of original materials. Once restored, these puppets have been sold at auction for significant sums or displayed in museums. For example, the restored Santa and Rudolph puppets have been displayed at the National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, allowing the public to enjoy a piece of holiday television history.