I have always said that magic
and ventriloquism are related arts because of the illusion factor.
So it is no surprise that magicians will have ventriloquist figures.
This figure I am showing today is one such case.
I was contacted by the grand daughter of Frank Radtke "Fakini", famous for
his Fakini Multiplying Billiard Balls, because she had her
grandfather's ventriloquist figure which he had given to her to help
her pay for schooling. Although she had the figure she didn't sell
it right away but had put it away. She came across it again and
decided it was time. She contacted me and now I am happy to report
this wonderful figure is now part of the Ventriloquist Central
Collection.
Fakini was a regular attendee at the Abbott's magic gathering and it
was there back in 1970 or so that he purchased this fellow. I do
believe that he was actually the second owner of the figure and the
original owner's name was Ray Savidge. I come to this conclusion
because inside the case that housed the figure, according to
Tiffany, there were letters from Abbott's to Ray Savidge giving him
Jack Coats contact information.
This Coats figure is a full size figure standing 40" tall, He has
slot jaw, side to side self centering eyes, winkers/blinkers and
hand shaker. He is 100% original and has never been touched or
repaired. Wig and paint and mechanics just as done by Jack Coats.
Some of the flock style eyebrow that Jack used is worn off and there
are a couple minor paint rubs but he still shows extremely well.
I have to say that Jack Coats really captured the Frank Marshall
look with this figure. He looks so Marshallesque to me that it make
me shake. LOL
