About 6 months ago I was contacted by a person from England who had a ventriloquist figure which supposedly was used during the late 30’s and 40’s by a vent who traveled over the English countryside but the name of the performer was long lost. That would be nice information if I had it but that really is not what I am looking for. I would love to know who the make of the figure happens to be.
During my negotiations for the purchase of this figure I assumed that it was paper mache ( like most English figures ) but upon his arrival here are the ventriloquist Central Collection I found his head is in fact carved of wood with leather lower jaw. He has a long head stick and the mouth is controlled by ring pull. His hands are also carved wood.
The body is paper mache and wood and the lower legs which terminate in solid shoes are also cast in paper mache. He is full size and stands 40″ tall. All of his paint appears to be original as well as his wig on his head.
He is not the most handsome figure but he does have a look that appealed to me so I had to have him and he is enjoying being a part of the Ventriloquist Central Collection.
I you have any clue as to the maker of this very unusual character please let me know. It would be greatly appreciated.
Help Identifying Ventriloquist Figure Maker
Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com
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Dan Willinger 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. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com
Copyright 2009 by Dan Willinger
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Dan…this looks by color & shape; also that’s it’s wood, similar to a Punch set one of my brothers bought from England around 1972. Had the same similar carving, even the hands…the paints colors as well. Wonder if “the Punch ” producer carved i ?….I asked my brother but he couldn’t remember where here got the Punch set from England….Bob
Has the look of a Wm. Henry J. Shaw figure. Compare head, mouth, eyes, eyelashes to the white boy in your collection.
Except may be too flat faced for a Shaw, and Bob Isaacson probably right.
Im thinking of punch and judy makers and the only one i think could maybe have made your figure runs in my head as Tinker.
http://www.tinkertaylorpuppets.info/punch-judy.htm
but don’t know if this is the right Tinker.
Virtual pan 1 on VH museum site has guy in sailor suit, fellow with handlebar mustache to right and gorilla looking figure to left, and the guy in between has flat face with very straight hands and fingers like your unknown.
Im not sure tthe one im talking about has made a famous punch figure
used in a 1940’s movie so i dont think that is the one on the website