About the Dakin Fraggle Rock Hand Puppets
In 1984, Dakin Inc.—a beloved San Francisco-based toy company known for high-quality plush toys—released an officially licensed line of Fraggle Rock hand puppets. These puppets allowed children to bring their favorite Fraggle characters to life through imaginative play, making them some of the most interactive Fraggle Rock toys of the era.
The Dakin hand puppets feature all five main Fraggle characters: Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober. Each puppet stands approximately 10-12 inches tall and features a soft plush body with a hand opening in the back for puppeteering.
Collector's Note
Dakin hand puppets are highly sought after because they're one of the few vintage Fraggle Rock toys that allow for interactive play. Complete sets with all five Fraggles in excellent condition are particularly rare and valuable.
The Complete Dakin Fraggle Rock Puppet Line
Dakin produced hand puppets of all five main Fraggle characters, each carefully designed to capture their unique personalities and appearances from the show:
Gobo Fraggle
Orange fur with purple/maroon tuft on head. Features Gobo's signature adventurous expression. The leader of the Fraggle Five and most popular puppet in the series.
Red Fraggle
Bright red/orange fur with distinctive yellow pigtails. Captures Red's athletic and energetic personality. Often considered the most vibrant puppet in the collection.
Mokey Fraggle
Purple/mauve colored fur with gentle expression. Features Mokey's flowing hair and artistic appearance. The tallest puppet in the series.
Wembley Fraggle
Yellow/green fur with his signature banana tree shirt pattern. Captures Wembley's sweet, indecisive nature. One of the more common puppets found today.
Boober Fraggle
Blue-green colored fur with Boober's distinctive hat/cap. Features his worried, superstitious expression. Often harder to find than other characters.
About Dakin Inc.
Dakin Inc. was a prestigious American toy company founded in San Francisco, California, that became famous for producing high-quality plush toys and licensed character merchandise throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The company was known for their attention to detail, quality materials, and excellent craftsmanship.
During the peak of Fraggle Rock's popularity (1983-1987), Dakin held the license to produce hand puppets featuring Jim Henson's beloved characters. Their Fraggle Rock line was part of a broader catalog that included other licensed properties like Garfield, Sesame Street characters, and various other popular franchises.
Dakin Quality Features
- Premium plush materials that have held up well over 40 years
- Embroidered details rather than printed features
- Reinforced hand opening for durability during play
- Official Jim Henson Associates licensing tags
- Made in Korea with quality control standards
Current Market Values
Dakin Fraggle Rock hand puppets have appreciated significantly in value over the years. Condition, completeness of tags, and which character dramatically affect pricing.
Price Guide (2025)
(no tags, some wear)
(clean, minimal wear)
(MWT)
(all MWT)
Boober and Mokey typically command slightly higher prices due to lower production numbers
Identifying Authentic Dakin Puppets
- Hang Tags: Look for the distinctive Dakin hang tag with the company logo and "Fraggle Rock" branding. Original tags significantly increase value.
- Sewn-In Labels: Authentic puppets have a sewn-in fabric label with "© Henson Associates, Inc." and "Dakin" information, plus "Made in Korea."
- Construction Quality: Dakin puppets feature quality stitching, proper plush nap direction, and well-defined features.
- Size Consistency: All puppets are approximately 10-12 inches tall, with proportions matching the TV characters.
- Hand Opening: The back features a properly finished hand opening with reinforced edges for durability.
- Copyright Date: Look for "1984" or "1985" copyright dates on authentic pieces.
Dakin vs. Other Fraggle Rock Plush
Several companies produced Fraggle Rock plush toys in the 1980s. Here's how Dakin puppets compare to other vintage options:
Caring for Your Dakin Puppets
Vintage plush toys require special care to maintain their condition and value:
Preservation Tips
- Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading
- Dust: Gently vacuum with a low-suction attachment or use a lint roller
- Cleaning: Spot clean only with mild soap and water; avoid machine washing
- Tags: Protect original hang tags with acid-free tag protectors
- Display: Use closed display cases to protect from dust and handling
- Moths: Store with cedar chips or lavender sachets to deter fabric pests
Using Your Puppet for Play
While collectors often keep vintage puppets for display, Dakin hand puppets were designed for interactive play. If you have duplicates or lower-grade puppets, they're still perfect for:
- Puppet shows: Recreate your favorite Fraggle Rock episodes
- Educational activities: Teaching children about friendship, problem-solving, and cooperation (core Fraggle Rock themes)
- Photo opportunities: Great for Fraggle Rock themed parties or social media
- Therapy & comfort: Hand puppets are excellent for child therapy and emotional support
Historical Context
The Dakin Fraggle Rock hand puppets were released during the show's peak popularity (1984-1985), coinciding with seasons 2 and 3 of the original HBO series. This was the golden age of Fraggle Rock merchandise, when dozens of manufacturers held licenses to produce everything from lunchboxes to bedding.
Dakin's reputation for quality made their puppets a premium product at the time, and they remain some of the best-constructed Fraggle Rock plush items ever produced. The hand puppet format was particularly appropriate for Fraggle Rock, given that the TV characters were themselves Jim Henson puppets—making these toys a "puppet of a puppet" that delighted children and collectors alike.
Today, the Dakin hand puppets represent an important piece of 1980s pop culture history, capturing the magic of Jim Henson's creative vision in a form that children could hold in their hands and bring to life through imaginative play.