James Tattersall is not too well know here in the
United States but over in England back in the 1950's he was very
well know for his outrageous full size figures and the amazing act
that he did. All of the figures Mr Tattersall used were built by his
own hands.
The family of James Tattersall still owns all of the figures that
James built and used except for one and the story of this figure is
very interesting indeed.
It seems that Mister Tattersall had a best friend ( unfortunately I
do not have his name ) to whom he presented one of his figures as a
gift. That figure remained with this person's family until 2005 when
it was offered for sale at auction.
One of the demands of the seller's family was that the figure remain
in the United Kingdom. I was dismayed by the fact that the family
would not accept my bid because I was from outside the country. So I
contacted a very good friend of mine, an antique dealer from New
Hampshire, whose son lives and works in London England and asked him
if he would have his son contact me. I was accommodated and spoke
with his son and gave him all the details. He did in fact bid for me
and won the figure at the auction. Boy that difference from dollars
to pounds was quite pricey. At that time the pound sterling was
equal to $2.35. I paid the money and had the figure shipped to me
and was very happy when he arrived. Ventriloquist Central Collection
now had the only Tattersall figure outside of the Tattersall family.
As I have said many times I only sell figures when I purchase
something else. Well it was right before the Vent Haven ConVENTion
in 2005 not long after I had received the Tattersall figure when a
superb Frank Marshall figure came my way. I could not pass it up so
after the purchase I had to decide what figures I was going to sell
to re coupe some funds. I took the Tattersall figure and a few
others with me not thinking anyone would really step up to pay the
price for him but I was wrong. My friend Bob Abdou saw him and fell
in love and said he just had to have him. It was enough money that I
said yes and he went to Bob Abdou's great collection. There he has
remained since.
As things happen Bob and I got embroiled in a deal and in this deal
the Tattersall figure has returned to the Ventriloquist Central
Collection. I am thrilled beyond words to have him back because I
was always sorry I let him go but times warranted the sale. I can
tell you this he will not depart the collection again.
This Figure stands 42" tall and the head, body,
hands and feet are made of paper Mache. The figure is what I would
also call loaded as it has slot jaw, side moving self centering
eyes, blinkers and raising eyebrows. He is also fitted with a
spitter and he blows smoke out of his ears. The head is a drop
through like most of the English figures of the period.
I hope you enjoy seeing this extremely rare ventriloquist figure.
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