From the Famous Italian Children's Story, Pinocchio, I present, for your consideration, "THE BLIND CAT", as interpreted by the famous American doll artist, Faith Wick who configured him as a marionette.

PLEASE NOTE:  All of the Wicket Originals were only available directly to a select group of collectors &, like the "MADE IN AMERICA" treasures they are, have been passed down or sold from those collectors.  I am one of those who has the originals.  I am looking to pass them on to others who respect & cherish original craftsmanship & wish to preserve it.

In 1978, Faith formed Wicket Originals, a cottage industry composed of fine craftsmen around the United States, offering fine quality, original, dressed sculptures in VERY LIMITED editions to the discerning collector.  

Faith would sculpt the original "Little Person" character/doll in clay, then a "master mold maker" would create a mold into which the "porcelain artisan" would pour the porcelain "slip" to obtain the "greenware" which, after careful cleaning, would be fired in a kiln.  

Next would come the porcelain painter, body maker, costume maker, wig maker, &, where necessary, the leatherworker, weaver, metal worker, glass blower, woodworker, & any other artisans required to complete the piece.

Within a few years, EFFANBEE Doll Company asked her to design dolls for them, & her career took on the new dimension of designing dolls & giftware for not only EFFANBEE, but also ENESCO, SILVESTRI/BALOS, DAKIN, DOLLSPART, & others.

The Founder of the National Institute of American Doll Artists, Helen Bullard, has written Faith's biography, & Seeley Ceramics has produced two books outlining & explaining her sculpting techniques.

Faith is well known for her creativity & the abundance of her designs - especially interpretations of children's stories, folklore, fairy tales, & the circus. 

This particular character, "THE BLIND CAT" is Faith's interpretation of him as a marionette.  In the story, when “THE BLUE FAIRY” grants Pinocchio's wish to become a real boy, he is lead astray by two of the secondary characters (villains), this debauched character & his partner in crime, "THE LAME FOX". According to extensive research done by the Fondazione Nazionale in the late 1990s & based on UNESCO sources, this original Italian children's story by Carlo Collodi, THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO has been adapted in over 260 languages worldwide.

It is considered a canonical piece of children's literature & has inspired hundreds of new editions, stage plays, merchandising & movies, such WALT DISNEY's animated version from 1940, & the upcoming live-action remake due out in December 2022.  It is also the source for the oft-times reference the “liar paradox” . . . of a liar's nose growing longer when he does not speak the truth.

THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO  is the most translated non-religious book in the world, & one of the best-selling books ever published. According to Francelia Butler, it remains "the most widely read book in the world after the Bible.

The head & face of “THE BLIND CAT” are hand-painted porcelain, & the rest of him is comprised of carved jointed wood.  He is strung on a small “play cross” & hangs from an equally small marionette stand that can be disassembled for shipping.  Please take special note of Faith’s unique attention to the detail in the hand painting of his face.

This particular miniature marionette character is TRULY A LIMITED EDITION of only two (2), both of which have passed through my eBay store, & were handcrafted, painted & strung by Faith in her own kitchen.  “THE BLIND CAT” IS PERFECT FOR THE COLLECTOR OF STORYBOOK MEMORABILIA OR JUST AS A SMALL PIECE OF THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN DOLL/PUPPET MAKING & ENTREPRENEURSHIP! 

THIS MASTERFULLY CRAFTED MINIATURE CHARACTER MARIONETTE WOULD MAKE A WONDERFUL SHOWPIECE IN ANY COLLECTION.  He is available in my eBay store, CAILYNSCOLLECTIBLES, along with the other two characters that make up the trio in THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO, his partner in crime, “THE LAME FOX”, & the naive young hero, “PINOCCHIO”.  I HOPE YOU DROP BY & LOOK AROUND!

ONCE AGAIN, I PRESENT, FOR YOUR PLEASURE, A TREASURE IN PORCELAIN THE LIKES OF WHICH YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO COME BY AGAIN. 

MEASUREMENTS:

• Height of stand = 17.5”
• Height of character = 10.75” (without stand)
• Diameter of base = 5"
• Weight = 10.25 oz. (character + stand)
• Weight = 5.25 oz. (character only; no stand)

ALL MEASUREMENTS ARE APPROXIMATE!

PLEASE REVIEW PICTURES AS THEY PROVIDE A VISUAL AID TO MY NARRATIVE!!

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT EVERYTHING IN MY SHOP INVENTORY IS COMPRISED OF ITEMS THAT JOHN & I HAVE COLLECTED OVER THE YEARS - NOT ACQUIRED FROM AN AUCTION OR AN ESTATE!  IF THE ITEMS HAVE BEEN USED, THE USE HAS BEEN MODERATE & THE CARE TAKEN WAS PERSONAL & WITH LOVE.  I CAN VOUCH FOR CONDITION & PROVENANCE ON EVERYTHING.

CONDITION

Many of my items are vintage or artisan; accordingly, there may be some issues with individual pieces that are associated with either the passage of time or the artisan individuality of the item.   

I have examined each item to detect any major flaws.  Any serious damage, fading or discoloration that I can perceive will be disclosed; however small flaws (i.e. imperfections in the glaze/paint, slipped stitches, or pulled threads in the costume, etc.) may be missed.

ALL OF MY COLLECTIONS HAVE BEEN STORED IN A TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT IN OUR SMOKE-FREE, PET-FRIENDLY HOME.

Please email with any questions; we will answer promptly, ASAP!

POLICIES

We are now part of the eBay Managed Payments program which gives you, the buyer, several options to pay - credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal.

Payment must be received within three (3) days of auction ending. If we have not received payment or a message requesting more time within the three (3) days, an unpaid item report will be filed.  

We are always happy to help, so please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or issues.

SHIPPING

**NOTE:  WHILE SHIPPING IS NOT A PROFIT CENTER FOR MY EBAY STORE, CAILYNS COLLECTIBLES, AS THE SOLE PROVIDER OF INCOME FOR MY FAMILY, I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MONEY ON SHIPPING! 

ALL BUYERS PAY ONLY THE EXACT AMOUNT THAT IT TAKES ME TO SHIP MY TREASURES TO YOU SO THAT THEY CAN BECOME YOUR TREASURES.  

ANY OVERAGE IN SHIPPING COSTS PAID BY THE BUYER AT TIME OF PURCHASE FROM CAILYNS COLLECTIBLES, ABOVE THE EXACT SHIPPING COST, WILL BE REIMBURSED TO THE BUYER.

Domestic Shipping:

All orders shipped FEDEX HOME DELIVERY, USPS PRIORITY MAIL, OR PARCEL SELECT, unless otherwise requested by the buyer or out of necessity due to size or weight.  Shipping price quoted is for shipping within the Continental United States only.

International Shipping:

ALL INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING IS DONE THROUGH EBAY'S GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM.

RETURNS

Your POSITIVE feedback rating is very important to us!  Please message us through eBay if you are not satisfied with your purchase before leaving feedback.  We will do our very best to offer a fair resolution.  

ANY RETURNS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER, BOTH IN PREPARATION & COST, & MUST BE RETURNED IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING, IN THE SAME CONDITION AS RECEIVED.

ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE SHIPPING PROCESS TO THE BUYER MUST BE DOCUMENTED & RELAYED TO THE SELLER IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT BY THE BUYER!

I DO MY VERY BEST TO DESCRIBE ALL OF MY ITEMS.  

Returns accepted ONLY if the item does not match photos or description. 

Buyer's remorse is not included in this category!  Please purchase wisely.

Please refer to all measurements provided & contact us if you need further information or clarifications. 

Please note that colors can vary greatly among computer monitors and their settings.  REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED BECAUSE OF A COLOR DISCREPANCY.  IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT THE COLOR OF AN ITEM, PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR MORE CLARIFICATION OR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS BEFORE YOU BID!

A 20% store restock fee will be charged on all returns & will be deducted from the refund of the original sales & shipping price.

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY MY STORE!

PLEASE FOLLOW ME & ADD ME TO YOUR FAVORITES FOR NEWLY LISTED ITEMS EVERY WEEK! I PROMISE QUALITY, COMMUNICATION, & SATISFACTION!