A Custody Battle

["A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@world.std.com>]

An anonymous report in the "Howdy Doody Times," which is the national
newsletter for Howdy's fan club, it is reported that, sadly, Howdy Doody is
involved in a custody battle.

As a result of litigation back in the 1960s, the original Howdy Doody
marionette became the property of puppeteer Rufus Rose.  Sometime in the
1970s, Rose gave Howdy to Buffalo Bob Smith on extended loan.  Rose died
shortly after, and his will gave Buffalo Bob lifetime rights to Howdy and
provided that on Buffalo Bob's death, Howdy should be donated to the
Detroit Institute of Art.

Now it seems that Mrs. Smith, aka "Buffalo Mil," has indicated that she may
fight this.  Meanwhile, Rose's sons may also try to break the will so that
Howdy can remain in the Rose family.

The spare Howdy Doody puppet, called "Double Doody" is in the Smithsonian. 
The stringless puppet, used for publicity photos and called "Photo Doody,"
was sold in an auction last year for six figures.

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 A. Joseph Ross, J.D.                                     617.367.0468
 15 Court Square                                  lawyer@world.std.com
 Boston, MA 02108-2503                   http://world.std.com/~lawyer/
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