Buyer Donates Original ‘Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer’ Puppets After Buying Them At Six Figures

The puppets used in making the original stop-motion Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 1964 resurfaced during an auction, where they sold for a whopping $287,000. It was the only surviving puppet pair featuring Santa and Rudolph, while the remaining reportedly melted in an attic.

The remaining puppets were slightly damaged but still looked salvageable, and the owner got a good price after cleaning them up. Meanwhile, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will be shown on NBC to celebrate the classic’s 60th anniversary and its timeless success.

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ puppets find a new home

@roadshowpbs In honor of the 60th anniversary of the iconic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special, take a look back to when Santa and Rudolph visited ROADSHOW and find out what happened after the appraisal! #antiquesroadshow #extraordinaryfinds #rudolph #rudolphtherednosereindeer #santa #puppetsoftiktok #puppet ♬ original sound – Antiques Roadshow

 

In a touching turn of events, the person who paid $287,000 for the puppets did not buy them for himself but donated them to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. The buyer’s selflessness touched those who witnessed the moment.

The Santa and Rudolph puppets are now on display at the center for everyone to see and appreciate. Clips from the auction have made it to social media, and fans have been shocked, not only by the collector’s kindness but also by the price.

Fans react as collector donates his purchase

Tiktokers had a few thoughts to share about the sale of both production puppets and how hard it was to preserve them so well. “These are classy pieces of Americana and childhood memories, “someone wrote, while another noted that Rudolph remains one of her favorite classics which she reruns every year.

“I watched a video about this, a lot of the puppets from other productions are kinda lost to time. Finding puppets like this from the originals is really rare and such an honor to find” a second user penned. A few said they would have made such charitable moves if they were so wealthy. “I’m so glad they ended up in the museum,” a lady echoed.