A Howdy Doody marionette and more than 100 other pieces of memorabilia from the classic kiddie television show fetched more than $300,000 at auction in Mineola, N.Y.
The sale, which ended Saturday, marked the 50th anniversary of America's first visit to Doodyville, where Howdy and company - host "Buffalo Bob" Smith, friends Clarabell the Clown, Flub-A-Dub and Phineas T. Bluster - entertained children from 1947 to 1960.Smith and others associated with the show cleared out parts of their Doodyville collections for the auction, which was conducted by phone and mail. All proceeds went to the memorabilia's owners, said a spokeswoman for Leland's Auction House.
The marionette called Photo Doody, which was used for publicity photos and public appearances, sold for an auction-high $113,431.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Birthdays: For Sunday, Oct. 26
Actor Bob Hoskins 55
TV host Pat Sajak 51
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton 50
Actress Jaclyn Smith 50
Singer Natalie Merchant 34