Alex Cameron is best known as the partner Frank
Marshall had when they together bought out the Mack shop. Cameron
was in charge of the architectural carving side and Marshall the
ventriloquist figures. Mr. Cameron did in fact carve a few figures
and today you are privy to one of his figures.
I got this figure undressed and when I looked at him he just shouted
Chinese to me so I dressed him in the Chinese outfit you see. The
cue on his hair is actually part of the hat.
He stands 40 inches tall and has only mouth movement. The pitch
point of the mouth is not that good. He did have leather under the
chin and that is missing. The body is done with slats and the base
noard was actually made from scrap wood like an orange crate. ( Many
have said that Frank Marshall also used scrap wood but I have not
found that to be true.) The hands are carved and resemble Marshall
style. He has ring pull for the mouth movement.
The arms and legs are stuffed muslin. The stuffing is straw. The
eyes are glass and the same as what Frank Marshall used. The paint
looks to be original but may have been clear coated at some point to
protect it.
I am very happy this example is in the Ventriloquist Central
Collection and I hope you enjoy seeing him.
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