Bill Podgorny Ventriloquist Figures

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A while ago I was contacted by the heirs of Bill Podgorny who started ventriloquism while a young man and had figures built for him in 1939. These figures remained in his possession until he did his last performance in 2007.

His wish was that they be sold and the family contacted me. We dickered back and forth, they then considered going to auction with them but after talking with the auctioneer decided to come back to me.

So I am pleased to show to you the figures Albert and Oscar.These figures were carved by a woodworker carver named Harold Hines. Bill paid the wopping sum of $12.50 for Albert in 1939.

About a year later Bill purchased Oscar , a Mortimer style figure, for $25.00. Can someone please show me the time machine? I need to go back for a few days!! LOL

These figures are all carved wood, Albert stands 36″ tall and has mouth movement. Oscar stands 42″ tall and has mouth movement and a spitter. Spitter is no longer functional.

They are completely original with all original clothing , paint, hair and dirt. I am so pleased they cam to reside in the Ventriloquist Central Collection.

 

 

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Have you seen the Frank Marshall Tribute DVD, click here

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Ventriloquist Central is the brainchild of Dan Willinger and Steve Hurst. Dan is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Steve is a ventriloquist as well as builder of ventriloquist figures. He also has a background in sales, marketing, building websites and computers. Because they both love the art of ventriloquism, the website Ventriloquist Central was born. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Copyright 2014 by Dan Willinger and Steve Hurst

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4 Responses to Bill Podgorny Ventriloquist Figures

  1. eeteed says:

    wow! very unique! congratulations!

  2. Lee Dean says:

    Bill Podgorny was performing at age 84 in 2005 http://articles.chicagotribune.com/keyword/ventriloquist
    William Joseph Podgorny lived to age 93 http://www.leonardmemorialhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2475126&fh_id=12621 and articles mention that he survived Ruth, his wife. No information appears on the web about Harold Hines, woodworker carver.

  3. Mary Nell Podgorny says:

    John and I are so happy to have worked with you to honor Bill’s wish for Albert and Oscar. Again, our sincere thanks!

  4. Terri says:

    Hi John , Mary and Ann,
    Terri Jennaro Weis here…This was so cute of Nancy Kamens Kofheimer….i hope everyone is happy and especially healthy these days….
    Hugs from Sussex

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