Propstore to auction rare Thunderbirds puppets in December sale

Propstore has unveiled original Brains and Tin-Tin puppets from Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s Thunderbirds franchise ahead of its Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction in London on Dec. 4-6, 2026. The pieces are expected to draw six-figure bids because of their screen use, provenance and rarity.

Why it matters: - Original Thunderbirds puppets with documented screen use rarely reach the market. - The Brains and Tin-Tin pieces are among the most desirable collectibles from the Gerry Anderson archive. - The sale could set a new reference point for high-end television memorabilia tied to classic British sci-fi.

What happened: - Propstore revealed two original Thunderbirds puppets on Thunderbirds Day for its Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction. - The auction will take place in London from Dec. 4-6, 2026. - The full catalog goes live and bidding opens on Nov. 5, 2026. - Registration is available here.

The details: - An original Brains puppet is estimated at $132,000-$264,000. - The Brains puppet was used in Thunderbirds, Thunderbirds Are Go! and Thunderbird 6. - The Brains puppet is screen-matched to Thunderbird 6 and keeps its original production head, hands, body, legs, internal mechanisms and glasses. - Brains was International Rescue’s scientist and engineer, responsible for designing the Thunderbird machines. - Mary Turner sculpted the puppet’s head during the final phase of the TV series. - The puppet was later revamped for Thunderbird 6 with a darker skin tone and new wig. - The costume matches the film’s opening sequence, when Brains presents a revolutionary airship concept to New World Aircraft Corporation executives. - An original Tin-Tin Kyrano puppet is estimated at $79,200-$158,400. - Tin-Tin was created specifically for Thunderbird 6. - The Tin-Tin puppet keeps its original production head, hands, body, legs and internal mechanisms. - Christine Glanville sculpted the Tin-Tin puppet. - The puppet wears the original red flying suit from Thunderbird 6, including scenes traveling from Tracy Island to Creighton-Ward Manor and boarding Skyship One. - Both puppets were among five used for promotional appearances in 1968 and 1969 supporting Thunderbird 6. - The puppets were later sold at Phillips Salesrooms in April 1980. - Collector Kelly Patrick Lannan acquired them for the Gerry Anderson Memorabilia Archive in 1989. - The puppets have been exhibited at The Great Thunderbirds Exhibition in Melbourne in 1998 and the Powerhouse Museum’s On the Box exhibition in Sydney. - Both puppets are on custom-made display stands and have undergone sympathetic restoration.

Between the lines: - Propstore is leaning on provenance and condition to drive interest, not just character recognition. - The estimates reflect how premium original puppet assets from classic television have become museum-grade collectibles. - The company is using Thunderbirds Day to seed attention ahead of the broader auction reveal.

What’s next: - Propstore will announce more highlights from the auction in the coming weeks. - The full catalog will be available on Nov. 5, 2026. - Live bidding runs Dec. 4-6, 2026, in London. - Stephen Lane said more highlights are still to come.