Puppet, Wilkins, 1979

Puppet, Wontkins, 1981

Historical note
In 1957, Jim Henson made a series of eight-second commercials for the Washington, D.C.-based Wilkins Coffee Company, featuring Wilkins, an obliging, coffee-loving character, who often cheerfully blows up the obstinate Wontkins. The offbeat humor and the novelty of using puppets in television ads appealed to other companies, and the Wilkins and Wontkins puppets were used to sell more than a dozen other brands across the country.

Accession numbers
2014.002.0067

2014.002.0068

Artist(s) / maker(s)
Designed by Jim Henson, built by The Jim Henson Company.

The first Wilkins and Wontkins puppets were built by Jim Henson in 1957.

Dimensions
17.5 x 6 x 10.75 in.

11.25 x 7.25 x 8.25 in.

Material
Fleece fabric, flocked self-adhesive vinyl, duvetyne, ink, and styrene

Donor credit
A gift from the family of Jim Henson

Location
On view in The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited (traveling exhibition)