MUFFIN THE MULE ORIGINAL 1950’s CHILD’S TEA SET SUPERB!

The set comprises of a Tea Pot – showing Muffin – measuring 6” from spout to handle, by 3.1/2” high. Milk Jug – showing Oswald – measuring 2” high. Two cups – showing Peregrine – measuring 1.3/4” high. Two saucers – showing Louise – measuring 4” across. Two plates – showing Muffin –measuring 5” across. The Tea Pot and milk jug have a transfer depicting Muffin in a horseshoe on the reverse. All pieces have ‘England’ stamped on the base. All pieces are in perfect condition – please see photos above. The plates and saucers have age crazing – the other pieces do not. As an almost 60 year old set, this has not been played with and is superb.

The Tea Set will be very securely packed and sent by special insured delivery to ensure safe arrival.

Any questions, please do ask. Thanks for looking.

MUFFIN HISTORY - Muffin the Mule started his life known merely as the Kicking Mule in 1933. He was carved by Punch and Judy expert carver Fred Tickner. The Kicking Mule was created as a commission for Jan Bussell and his wife, and business partner, Ann Hogarth. The Bussells having formed the Hogarth Puppet Theatre in 1932 and the Kicking Mule was to partner Crumpet the Clown as part of their Circus.

Puppet Theatre was (and remains) a highly professional and busy form of performance and the Bussells were constantly expanding and improving the acts they created. After a while, the Mule and Clown were retired to make way for other acts. The aggressive little Mule sat with the other retired puppets until one day in 1946, a visit from Annette Mills changed the lives of all concerned.

Selecting puppets to use in her BBC programme For the Children, Annette chose the mule and clown. She named the mule Muffin and the rest, as they say, is history.