'I couldn't believe it': Original Sooty puppets with Leeds roots fetch thousands at auction
Much-loved puppets with Leeds links fetch thousands under the hammer
A collection of original 1960s Sooty, Sweep and Soo puppets belonging to the son of children's entertainer Harry Corbett have sold at auction for nearly £15,000.
The famous yellow bear and his pals had been expected to make between £4,000-£6,000 before being bought for over twice their estimate by a life-long fan of the show this week.
The much-loved yellow puppet was first brought to life by Corbett while he was working as an engineer for Leeds City Council, before becoming one of Britain’s most beloved TV characters.
A 58-year-old building designer, from Lancashire, fought off bidders online, on the phone and in the saleroom, to secure the trio of puppets, which belonged to Dave Corbett.
Dave - who with his brother Matthew, was the inspiration behind the global kids TV phenomenon - decided to part with his father's collection after several decades so they could go to a new home.
And their new owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, admitted the purchase cost more than his first house with auction fees, he faces a bill of £14,800.
He said: “A lot of people think I’m mad but it’s difficult to describe what they mean to me.
“For me it’s more about Sweep than Sooty. Sweep is naughtier and by far the better character, in my opinion.
"But to have all three of them in one package is fantastic.
“I couldn’t believe that I got it. I was shaking like a leaf.
"I immediately phoned my wife and asked her if she was sitting down. She, like me, was absolutely delighted.”
He told how he plans to use an inheritance from his late mother to pay for the archive.
He said: “We used to watch the programme together, so I think she would approve.”
The collection, which hammered at £11,000, included two Sweeps and two Soos - as well as a mechanical device which operated Soo.
Dave is said to be "delighted" with the result, according to Hansons Auctioneers, who sold the items in Etwall, Derbys.
Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: “I know many Sooty fans were hoping the puppets would return to their spiritual roots of Lancashire and I am delighted the trio has found a new home in that great county.”
Dave was just a baby in 1948 when legendary puppeteer Harry Corbett bought a glove puppet to entertain him and brother Matthew, who went on to take over the show.
The impulse buy of a 7s 6d yellow puppet - then just known as ‘Teddy’ - turned into the much-loved children's show thanks to Harry, who then worked as an engineer for Leeds Council.
The archive also included a specially engineered mechanical device made for Dave’s mum – Marjorie, who was known as Toabs, and became the voice and “hand” of Soo in 1964.
Charles Hanson continued: “As their new buyer realises, what made this Sooty, Sweep and Soo so special is that they were effectively part of the Corbett family and owned by Harry himself.
"I am delighted to have helped to make a new and lasting memory for their new family.”
Dave revealed how he remembers the puppets being part of the family while growing up in the family home in Guiseley, Leeds.
He said: “It was mum who used some soot from the fire on his ears and nose to make him seem more endearing.
"Hence the name Sooty and then later Sweep.
“I remember handing props up to dad from under the table.”
“To my dad Sooty was like a child, an actual person and a real part of his life.
"I remember how he would use a pin to meticulously comb Sooty’s face to make sure he looked his very best.”