Richard Nixon Appraisal

Richard Nixon Hand Puppet

This item is a novelty hand puppet caricaturing former U.S. President Richard Nixon. The puppet's head and hands are constructed from tan-colored felt or a similar soft, tightly woven fabric, giving it a somewhat stylized and simplified appearance. Notable facial features include a prominent, bulbous nose characteristic of Nixon's caricatures, which is also made from the same tan fabric and stitched onto the face. The eyes are represented by a single, horizontal black stitched line, suggesting a stern or serious expression, typical for portrayals of Nixon. His signature dark hair is depicted by a tuft of black faux fur, likely synthetic, neatly coiffed and attached to the top of the head. The body of the puppet, designed to fit over a hand, is made from a deep blue or purple felt material, forming a simple shirt or jacket. A small, white, roughly trapezoidal piece of fabric is attached at the neck, simulating a shirt collar or tie. The hand forms are simplistic, with stitched divisions for fingers. The overall construction appears to be machine-stitched with visible seams common in plush or felt toys. The condition seems good, with no obvious tears, stains, or significant wear visible in the provided images; the fabric appears clean and the colors vibrant, suggesting minimal use or good storage. Given the subject matter, the puppet likely dates from the 1970s or later, during or after Nixon's presidency, and falls into the category of political memorabilia or novelty collectibles. The craftsmanship is fairly basic, consistent with a mass-produced item rather than a handcrafted artisan piece.