September 2012 Newsletter

How Many Ventriloquist Figures is Too Many??

As I sit and look over my collection of ventriloquist figures I think about the fact that I have some examples of figure makers and there is only one figure made by him and then I have others that I have multiples of figures made by them. Of course I have more Marshall figures than any other maker but I really concentrated on collecting his figures.

At one point I thought all I really needed was one example but as the Ventriloquist Central Collection has grown it has become important to me to acquire multiples of makers figures because each one is truly different and of course they may not have the same functions which changes them as well.

The fact that 99% of the collection is carved wood also makes each one different. Even when a head is done on a duplicarver the finishing touches have to be done by hand which will make the face different. Remove some cheek or change the shape of the nose, add dimples larger ears etc, etc. This makes each one unique. Because of this I have decided I need multiples of the different makers. This is what constitutes a true collector.

It is very hard to say that about figures that are made from a mold. They are all the same face even with different functions they still retain the same face. That is not to say that some of the molded figures are not collectible because they are. Ray Guyll figures which are cast are exceedingly hard to find and are therefore very collectible. Selberg figures and Semok figures are also collectible but with all these makers the faces are the same and do not vary.

Just some of my thoughts!!

 

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

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As most of you know I was a clock dealer for many years. A lot of folks thought I dealt in watches too but watches are a different thing and I never really got into them for collecting or to sell. Funny I like modern watches and have quite a few of them but the other day I was offered a most unusual watch and I just had to have it for the Ventriloquist Central Collection. This watch was put out by Paul Winchell and commemorates Winchell Mahoney Time, that great kids show that we all now long to see.

I celebrated my birthday this year at the Vent Haven ConVENTion and one of my good friends there presented me with a wonderful gift. Ken Shapiro, one of the last writers for Edgar Bergen, he actually donated a script to the museum this year, surprised me with a wonderful caricature of Charlie McCarthy.

For me there is nothing better than when someone comes to see the Ventriloquist Central Collection and last week was no exception. Al Getler, a past chairman of the Vent Haven ConVENTion and a great ventriloquist, lives about 40 minutes north of me in New Hampshire and he made the short trip down and spent about an hour and a half looking over the collection. I know he had a lot of fun.

Recently I had a good question come in to me about the Tommy Knots figures which were made by Frank Marshall. His question to me was were the wigged Tommy Knots figures an option from Frank Marshall. He question that because of the ones in the Ventriloquist Central Collection that have a wig on the head.

You’ve heard the old saying, “It’s never too early?” Well that is the case here for making your reservations for the Vent Haven ConVENTion 2013 at the Cincinnati Marriott hotel. You don’t want to miss all the fun like we just had at this year’s ConVENTion so plan now to be there and make your registration.

August Archives

Missed one of the monthly Ventriloquist Central Newsletters? 

Here are the Archives!

“The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own
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I love the ConVENTion because we get together to enjoy and discuss all aspects of ventriloquism with all our peers. The ConVENTion for me is also where I hope to find some gem that happens to arrive looking for a new home. ConVENTion 2012 was no exception. The first day the dealers room opened I walked into dealers room A and immediately to my right Brant Gilmer was set up with his portfolio of wonderful figures that he has created and sitting in a chair he had one figure for sale.
 

Every once in a while an interesting email comes to me and this one was just that. A dealer from Florida contacted me because he said he had a pair of large ventriloquist figures and thought I may be interested. He sent me pictures and when I opened the first picture all I could say to myself was,” That’s Fred & Ethel Mertz.” Now that really is not who they are but I have decided that is who they are now.

Ventriloquist Central Videos

VentriloquistCentralVideos.com

Here is a video of one of the Rarest Marshall figures in the Ventriloquist Central Collection. This figure is a walking figure which looks like it just stepped out of the page of Franks 1931 catalogue.

Ken Spencer was a prolific builder during the heyday of ventriloquism. He learned at about the same time as Marshall. His figures are very distinctive and are of a cartoony nature. Here is a video of a country bumpkin type of ventriloquist figure.

Frank Marshall carved this fellow on Dec 1, 1945 according to the info inside the head. It was carved for a George Botzel from Iowa. Also inside it says repaired and repainted by Frank Marshall in 1953.

Brant Gilmer’s very first ventriloquist figure. Here’s an up close and personal look of him.

Frank Marshall created a mid size ventriloquist figure which became very popular called Ricky Tik. Here is a video prime example of a Ricky Tik.

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Should you appraise your ventriloquist figure??

As a collector it is always asked if insurance is needed. My answer is that in most cases insurance is a must. A collector can certainly become insurance poor but key items in any collection must be appraised and then insurance taken. Those key items are usually irreplaceable.

A working ventriloquist also has to take insurance into consideration because as a tool your figure is the one thing that makes your income possible so you most certainly need insurance to cover any loss that may be incurred either by damage or theft.

In light of this I want to let you know that VentriloquistCentral.com will offer you the opportunity to get an appraisal of your ventriloquist figure for you to use to obtain stated value insurance on your figure.

It is an easy process so please follow the link below and I will guide you through a few steps to make this a possibility for you and your figures.

Click Here For Ventriloquist Figure Appraisal Information

Till next time,
Dan

©2012 VentriloquistCentral.com