I want, want, want to get a book "Glove and Rod Puppets" made by H. Fettig. Where can I find it? Bookstores in Finland - no. Amazon - no.

Glove and Rod Puppets is the older of Fettig's two books which have been translated into English, having been published in the originl German in 1973, and English in 1974. Rod and Tabletop Puppets, (I think that's the title), was published in the original German in the mid-Nineties, (1995?), and translated into English the following year. Both books are out of print, and therefore no longer available from their original publishers. I don't know if Fettig wrote other books on puppetry which are available only in German, or languages besides English.

I was able to borrow copies of the English-language editions of both of these books via interlibrary loan here in the US. I suspect that Finland probably has a similar service, where you can borrow books from libraries all over your country by asking at your nearest public library, and filling out request forms. You may also be able to get access to the books from the closest university library in your area.

The books were originally published in German, but I'm not sure what other translations are available besides English. To tell you the truth, Fettig's illustrations say as much as his words, so even if you can only find a copy in a language you don't read, it might still be worth it to you.

Buying the books can be very expensive. According to the publisher, Ray DaSilva, the English-language version of the second book was issued in a limited edition of only 1,000 copies, and then permission was withdrawn by the author to go back to the presses to print additional copies. The older book is much slimmer, (something like 110 pages), and used copies go for around US$100, the last I heard. The second book is around 350 pages in size, and reprises much of the information and illustrations from the first book, but adds a lot more autobigraphical material from Fettig, as well as sections by and about other puppet makers. The person I talked to said that used copies of the second book, Rod and Tabletop Puppets, is selling for £75 (British Pounds Sterling), or around US$150. These prices aren't fixed. When it comes to rare books, sellers usually charge what the market can bear.

I know that some people here own copies of one or both of these books, but I don't know if any of them are intersted in selling.

Good luck in your hunt!

 

Ron G.

Sari,

I have a copy of Fettig's glove and rod puppets in English translation and I will be in Kirkonummi from the 1st to 12th of August.  If you would like I would be happy to bring it with me for you to have a look at. 

With it being out of print there should be no reason why you wouldn't be able to photocopy pages of interest, certainly UK copyright laws allow 5% copying for the purposes of study.

Charlotte

Found this on you tube and you could check with Ray DaSilva's book store
http://www.puppetbooks.co.uk/

Billy D.

(UPDATE) had to remove video
See the link below.........in They have since removed the embedded code for public access.

I found my copy by checking Abebooks every week or so. (It took me a few months I think, from starting to check the site, to finding a copy) Cost me about $150 US, including shipping to Australia.

 

Thank you all friendly people out there!

There is one book in the National Library of Finland. At least I can look at the book there. There is also one copy in Abebooks, but it is quite expensive (US$ 249,99).

Charlotte - it would be so nice to meet you (and take some photocopies). Just e-mail me when you are in Finland! If I get the book before you arrive to Finland, I´ll tell it to you, so you dont´t have to bring the book with you.

Sari

Hey folks:

I also found a copy on interlibrary loan.  Here's the thing though.  The books are very popular and excellent.  Has the publisher gone out of business?  Why don't we get them to republish?  Is Fetig still living?  Maybe he would write another book?

Marty

I decided to do another google search for H. Fettig info and found this:

It's in French, but too cool.

Marty

Thanks for linking the video....... I had added the code in my above post but I see they have removed it.
I did save it to my favorites.

Billy D.

My pleasure, Billy.

Marty