c. 1940. Proposed premium design for "talking" lap puppet to be given away with three cans of "Stokeley's Tomato Juice", though not so marked.9.75x17" tall stiff cardboard hand cut display w/ legs which fold down to give display full height of 23". Choice art is done in pencil and tempera with classic image of famous fictional detective holding magnifying glass with left index finger in air. Bottom of mouth and both eyes are cut out and attached to the reverse is a stiff paper sheet which has painted art of eyes and mouth. Sheet has tab in center which moves mouth and eyes. Additional stiff paper sheet on reverse includes hand lettered text in red paint and india ink" How to Operate Charlie Chan Mystery Midget/ Suggested Dialogue ( The Honolulu Mystery) / Change Your Voice When Charlie is to Talk" with spaces at bottom for dialogue between " You" and "Charlie". Puppet is similar in design and function to the produced Chase & Sanborn premium "talking" puppets for Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd (see item #2075). Display front has a few color rubs, most noticeable at left side of forehead and tiny bit of wear around extreme edges. Reverse side has dust soil along with a few pencil notes for artist. Front has bright and Fine/VF appearance. An exceptional one of a kind prototype. Could be the focal point of a Charlie Chan collection. From the archives of premium creators Sam & Gordon Gold, accompanied by a letter to that effect from Gordon Gold.