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February
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More thoughts to follow and as always your comments are welcome...
~Dan
Comments
3 Comments
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There is
another factor in buying the insurance for your figures as part of
your homeowner's plan. Some plans will only add the insurance riders
for your figures if you are keeping the figures in your home -- not
using them in your entertainment business. In some cases, you also
may need to have an independent and professional third party write a
letter to your insurance carrier stipulating the value of your
figures.
Comments by George Boosey -
February 28, 2007 @ 5:43pm
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While
it's nice to have so many dolls cared for and protected, it's sad
they are not in the hands of working vents. Perhaps you could
arrange long term leases so these artists and the public can again
enjoy the beauty Frank Marshall created.
Comments by Bob, Steinposte@aol.com - March 1, 2007 @ 11:46am
Dan's Comments....
Bob, Thanks so much for you comment to the blog. As a collector I
decided to approach this in a completely different way than the Vent
Haven Museum. They have their collection scattered between 3 small
houses and there are tiny cards which say very little about each
figure. So you don't get much satisfaction unless you make many many
trips to Kentucky to see them.
I decided that by way of my web site I would offer everyone a
wonderful view of these works of art. This is why I have posted so
many different up close shots for everyone to ponder and wish and
also the best and most complete background information that I can
give for every dummy. I would love to be able to allow vents to use
them but you know all too well that that would be an impossibility.
No matter how caring one can be accidents will happen. It is just
unavoidable. Cy Leonard had his Happy Hazard McElroy figure sitting
back stage and a stage hand knocked him over and he was broken into
twenty pieces. Just go look at him on this site and you will see
what a major undertaking it was to bring him back to perfection. So
though it is a nice thought, and I do mean that, it is an
impossibility to ever really take place.
Museums will loan items for display and I too would do that but, put
these wonderful works of art back out to work??? I don't think so!!!
Dan
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Hello to ALL,
I guess that I'm a budding collector, as finding vents on the
Internet has brought my desire to vent again, my first was a Danny
O'Day (Sears) than my second was the bigger version with head post,
and one with the works I believe it is a Mike Brose But I want to
say thank you for keeping interest in this art alive. Happy Venting.
JC
Comment by John Conte - March 1,
2007 @ 10:23pm
Just some more of my thoughts and I do hope you have some
comments.....
~Dan
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2 Comments
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Dan, This is
just a note to the luckiest guy in the world (you) to say how much I
enjoy and appreciate your web site and your email updates. The site
is a gold mine for me because I love to study vent figures made by
the very best builders, and you have more in one place than anybody
else! Your blog comments are especially thought provoking. Not to
disagree, I would note that the practical aspects of an artifact
often do weigh heavily in its value. Antique woodworking tools, for
example, lose much of their market value if they are no longer
useable. Stringed instruments (mandolins and fiddles, for example)
get much of their value from their sounds. So, I suspect that the
user friendly aspects of a figure may some day weigh in its value,
and they may mean more to you than you suggest in a recent blog. I
must say that on things like spitters, handshakers, cross-eyes, and
some others, I place no value. So I am certainly not disagreeing
with you if you mean those. Please keep collecting, sharing, and
blogging, and know that I admire your work and appreciate what you
are doing. Gerry
Comments by Gerry Snelson -
February 26, 2007 @ 11:30am
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I would first
like to compliment both Dan and his webmaster for the incredible job
they both have done on this website. It is amazing how much
information one can get from the articles, pictures down to the
marketplace. As a wife of a collector I know that time spent by Dan
and his webmaster is time well spent and that they are both home and
we will not see them on Jerry Springer.
Comments by Helen - February 26,
2007 @ 1:07pm
February 25,
2007
Comic Figures
That You Will Hear About In The Future
By Lawrence Harris
http://comicvent.blogspot.com/
I wanted to send you a
picture of myself with one of my favorite figures, "Iggy." "Iggy" is
a guy with a lot of personality who really entertained the kids at
the local high school "After Prom Party."
"Iggy" is an example of the work of renowned figure maker, Dan Payes.
Dan thinks outside the box with every creation he comes up with.
Dan's figures are not the " Classic Cheeky Boy" look most common
these days, although if asked he can come up one for you that has
that vintage look.
Years down the line Dan's figures will be collector's items for the
simple reason that no single figure is alike and the "out of box"
thinking puts into his work is quite evident in the end result.
I have also attached a picture of my latest figure from Dan, "SquirelyD."
This guy can do so much and he will be part of my upcoming one man
show that I am planning to showcase my large array of characters.
The show will be called, "Something to Skvell About."
Cheers,
Larry Harris - ComicVent
Germantown, MD
Comments
0 Comments
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February 23,
2007
Vent Haven
ConVENTion
Dan @ 5:56am
Hi All !! Well it is almost
time for the Vent Haven ConVENTion and if you are into ventriloquism
in any shape or manner it is a must for you to attend. This has got
to be one of the best times you will ever have if you like
ventriloquism. The shows are always a treat, the workshops are very
informative, the dealer's rooms have a treasure trove of
ventriloquial items and the comradery in unparalled. I myself have
only been to the convention the past two years and I really would
hate to ever miss one again.
As you all know I am a collector and do not perform but I partake in
all the events and have set up, in the dealer's room, both years
with old dummies. I will have some again for sale at the convention.
There is always a great selection of ventriloquist figures both hard
and soft to choose from and if you can't find a partner at this
convention I don't think you will find one anywhere. I must admit
that the older figures are becoming much hard to find and that is
true even at the convention but there are still some great figures
to choose from.
Don't hesitate to make your reservations and here is the link for
you to get the registration form:
www.venthaven.com .
I hope to see you and meet
you there.
~Dan
Comments
0 Comments
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February 15,
2007
News From
Bob Abdou
Dan @ 11:32am
I received an email this
morning from Bob Abdou (
www.mrpuppet.com
) stating he’s the "Consultant on
Ventriloquism" for the Puppeteers of America. Check it out here:
http://www.puppeteers.org/puppcons.html
Great news, Bob, congratulations.
~Dan Willinger
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0 Comments
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4 Comments
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Hi Dan: Thank
you for the complimentary words re: "Joey O'Leary" and me in your
latest blog which was recently forwarded to me by my good friend and
expert figure maker Greg Claassen. Actually, my "Joey" (the last
vent figure Frank Marshall made prior to his death) has the
distinction of having appeared in more TV commercials (along with
yours truly) than most other vent figures excluding Jimmy Nelson's
"Danny O'Day" who gained considerable prominence thanks to those
wonderful Nestle's Chocolate TV commercials. And of course the late
Paul Winchell appeared in several TV commercial spots, etc. with his
"Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead", all of "whom" were wonderful Frank
Marshall creations. Kindest regards, Kenny Warren
Comment by Kenny Warren -
February 12, 2007 @ 8:00pm
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Here's an idea
if someone would like to use an antique dummy, and retain value with
literally no wear - n - tear. If a vent has the finances, there are
those who will cast the original dummy to where the vent can use the
cast dummy and not have to use his original antique. This way, he
can have pleasure of using his favorite partner without using and
wearing down the antique original. It will cost some money to do
this, but one must as their self, "What's it worth to me to not wear
out the older figure?" Just a thought - Just an idea. G.L.FREEMAN -
Cheyenne, WY.
Comment by G.L. Freeman -
February 10, 2007 @ 5:51pm
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Dan, A very
good piece on collecting. I only see a few people like Bill DeMar
using his Marshall, but you can see the magnificent way his act
comes across. Bill has remarked that "Chuck Norwood" has had some
work done over the years to look as pristine as ever. Cheers,
ComicVent
Comment by ComicVent - February
10, 2007 @ 4:32pm
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You missed a
very important point for the performer. Paul Winchell encountered a
problem with it as well. A DUPLICATE! What happens when the first
one is lost, stolen, or broken and you have to go on NOW!?!? Always
bring the back up. I have had several Pro performers buy a back up
right when they order the first. Why? The figure maker can make them
look identical when building two at one time. The cost is usually
better on two...(well when ordered from me anyway). And an old
figure can only wear and tear so far. Most old figures still
existing have been repainted, or reworked. The "oldies" got more use
than new figures today. MUCH more use! So they've been around the
block and in the shop more than once in their life. So the plus side
on new figures is the figure maker is alive and well. The plus side
for old figures is it's worth more out the gate. The down side on
old figures is you had better hope nothing happens to it. And the
down side on new figures?...Well, on mine there are no down sides.
Others?...Hmmmm, that's a whole other topic on "new" figure makers.
Comment by Dan Payes - February
10, 2007 @ 10:31pm
February 7,
2007
Welcome to My Blog....
Dan @ 5:25pm
Oh how wonderful this is.
As I lay in bed last night David Letterman and his pal Paul Shaffer
bantered back and forth about the upcoming vent week 2. This is so
exciting because with this push it keeps our love of ventriloquism
in the minds of everyone. A better boost for this superb art could
not be had in my estimation. I am also excited to see the line up he
has this time too. Some great personalities to give us some laughs.
February 12th-16th
Monday - Kevin Johnson
Tuesday - Dan Horn
Wednesday - Otto and George
Thursday - Jim Barber
Friday - Brad Cummings
~Dan Willinger
Comments
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Dan, I look
forward to seeing Dan Horn on Letterman next week. Just my opinion,
he is the best at manipulation out there today. Congrats on the site
and the new blog. Cheers, ComicVent
Comment by ComicVent - February
7, 2007 @ 8:09PM
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My dream list
for letterman would be.
(1) Jimmy nelson & Danny O'Day
(2) Willy Tyler & Lester
(3) Jeff Dunham & Walter
(4) Jay Johnson
(5) Russ Luis
Just my thoughts. Best wishes with the new site. JC
Comment by JC - February
8, 2007 @ 10:47AM
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