More than 200 items, including iconic puppets from beloved Aardman Animation characters like Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, and Chicken Run, were auctioned on Thursday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bristol-based animation studio. The event, organized by memorabilia auction house Propstore, featured a wide range of sought-after pieces, including stop-motion models from the 2024 film Vengeance Most Fowl. One standout item was Lot 216, a Wallace puppet in his traditional outfit, described as being in “smashing condition.” This puppet featured a clay head, silicone body, metal skeleton, and various components made of resin and plastic. Another highlight was Lot 219, a Gromit puppet from the same film, which was crafted over a fully jointed internal metal armature, allowing for detailed and lifelike movements. Among the items auctioned was a puppet of Feathers McGraw, the mischievous nemesis of Wallace and Gromit, disguised as a nun. The auction catalogue included a reference to a classic line from the series: “Feathers McGraw? Don’t be ridiculous. That’s just an innocent nun, out for a pleasure cruise.” Other notable items included clay puppets of Morph and Chas, created by Aardman co-founder Peter Lord using Plasticine, a type of modeling clay. These puppets sold for £3,780, including the buyer’s premium. A unique experience—lunch for six with Peter Lord in Bristol—was sold for more than £11,000, while storyboards from Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, signed by Nick Park, fetched nearly £4,000. A small 9cm-tall clay rabbit from Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit sold for almost £10,000, highlighting the high value placed on rare and iconic pieces. The auction also included more modest items, such as Lot 89, which featured dry stone walls and a gate from the Shaun the Sheep television series, complete with adhesive remnants from where the pieces were attached to the set. These items provided a glimpse into the practical aspects of set design and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating animated shows. The proceeds from the auction will be used to train new generations of animators, supporting the future of the animation industry. Ngaio Harding-Hill, director of attractions, live experiences, and archive at Aardman, described the event as an “unprecedented opportunity” for collectors to own a piece of the studio’s 50-year history. She emphasized that the collection was carefully curated to reflect the studio’s extensive and varied work over the past five decades.