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When was it now? Lemme see - late '60s perhaps, no later than 1970 while I was yet a primary school pupil. On the way back from the town centre, my family stopped at what was called 'the old Westwood shops' and popped into a newsagent's so my father could buy some tobacco for his pipe. Hanging high above the counter, affixed to a cord stretched between the top of the display cabinets on either side, I spied a Bugs Bunny toy and promptly bought it - or maybe 'twas my parents who made the purchase, can't quite recall.
It was known (and still is) as a Khoner's Jumpkin, and I spied one on eBay recently, still on its backing card, with an asking price of £150. Worry ye not, Crivvies, I opted for a far, far, far less expensive one without the backing card, as I only had a dim recollection of it, likely having disposed of the card almost immediately (or not long after getting home). To be honest, it's not much of a plaything, but in my constant quest to replace as many items from my childhood as I can, I just had to have it again - and now I do!
I didn't retain my original one for long, as, being rather limited in its playtime potential, I dismantled the toy and then put it back together again without the string, which, when pulled, had made Bugs' limbs go up and down as though he were jumping. If I recall correctly, I glued the arms and legs in place, transforming it into a 'static' item, with even less entertainment value than it had possessed before my adventurous administrations as to its function reduced it to not much more than an ornament as opposed to a toy.
There was also a Popeye one, I believe, though I don't think I've ever seen it, and it's more than likely there were others too. It's strange to think it's been around 58-60 years since I owned my original Bugs, but the immense span between then and now melted away once its replacement arrived at Castel Crivens to take up residence. Wish I had that length of time ahead of me to enjoy ownership, not just of Bugs, but also all my other 'clones' of childhood treasures, but I suppose I'll be lucky if I have half of that.
Lucky and grateful.
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