Extremely Rare Finis Robinson Creation

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Webmaster

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If you look at an old Finis Catalogue of ventriloquist figures he included a page of novelty items and today I am happy to share on of the rarest of those items the talking parrot . This creation by Finis is a premiere example because it is in near mint condition. The history of this bird is great too.

In the early days of my collecting I purchased this parrot and my very first Frank Marshall figure together. I purchased them from an antique dealer in Florida who did not know what they were. but I can say neither did I.

The Marshall was revealed to me as being a Frank Marshall by Dan Payes because I had sent it to him for repair. The mouth was not working and it was painted tar baby black. When I sent the tar baby to Dan he called me and said” Do you know what this is?” he then revealed to me I had purchased a Marshall Tommy Knots. It was only 20″ tall and the hands and feet were missing. I was so excited. I had my First Marshall. I still have it.

I decided to sell the parrot to recoup some money. I listed him on ebay and Albert Alfaro purchased him. Well the years have passed by and Albert told me he found the parrot packed in the attic of his house because of some work he was having done. He said I could purchase him back and I did. This is the only one I have ever seen except for the Vent Haven Museum. Also it is carved out of wood. A great job.

He has moving beak, moving head and his wings flap/ He also bends forward from the legs. You hold him in your hand and his feet wrap over your finger and hide the 3 control levers. This is a really neat figure. I hope you enjoy seeing him.

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Click here to see this rare Finis Robinson creation

 

 

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 2010 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Dummy Collecting, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figure Building, Ventriloquist Figures | 1 Comment

Ventriloquist Central's New Driveway

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Webmaster

I have been living in my house for 31 years and when I bought the house the driveway was in rough shape.

Over the years I have had patching done to keep it usable but as of yesterday I bit the bullet and had the driveway re done.

My driveway is a very long drive and runs along the side of my house and cuts across my land and leads to two more houses that have a right of way. This is why the driveway was in such tough shape.

All three houses paid to do this but I had the major cost since mine is the largest portion. I now understand why cities and town wait to the last minute before repaving a street. It is very costly.

Here are a few shots of it so you could see.

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I made my wife Helen laugh because I said now I have to put a toll for the other houses to use my new drive. Wishful thinking!!

 

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 2010 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Personal, Ventriloquist Central | Leave a comment

Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – A Rare & Unique Combo

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Webmaster

Check out this rare and unique combo of ventriloquist figures.

 

 

 

(If you have trouble viewing this video click here)

 

 

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

***************************************************

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 2010 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Dummy Collecting, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figure Building, Ventriloquist Figures, Ventriloquist Videos, Video Collecting Series | 1 Comment

Great Meeting at Vent Haven ConVENTion

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Webmaster

I was so pleased this year at the conVENTion because the Executive Director of the conVENTion , Mark Wade, invited Steve and me to dinner one evening where in a relaxed setting we were able to chat at great length about all aspects of the ConVENTion and ventriloquism in general.

I felt very pleased because Mark told Steve and me that we are part of the family because of all we have done for the ConVENTion. I told Mark that for us it was a must to bring as much about the ConVENTion to those that are unable to attend so they can see and hear what is transpiring.

Ventriloquist Central is where everything that is vent can be found and that means we must provide the information as it happens. Mark thanked us more than once.

Believe me this was a real treat being able to dine with Mark and I just want to thank him again.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

***************************************************

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 2010 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in ConVENTion, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, W.S. Berger & Vent Haven | 1 Comment

The Elusive McElroy Ventriloquist Figures

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Webmaster

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In keeping with answering questions that come in to me I was prompted to write this blog about maybe the most famous builders of Ventriloquist Figures the McElroy brothers. They produced figures for a period of about 6 years , 1936 to 1941. They built some of the most complex workings in a ventriloquist figure ever with upwards of 14 different functions.

If you have signed up for the Ventriloquist Central’s emails you get access to listen to some audio recording of conversations with the brothers. If you haven’t signed up I suggest you do so now. In the conversation they say they think they made around 100 figures. I am sure they were boasting with this number and the actual figure is more likely around 30 figures. I believe that today there are 28 documented McElroy figures known and they are all in private collections.

So the questions I receive about the McElroy figures, usually from young folks, is where can a McElroy figure be purchased. I feel bad that I have to respond in the negative but the chances of finding a McElroy figure is slim to none. I would guess that if one were to be discovered it would be in the Cincinnati area as that is where they were from.

One question I got was that this person loved Jacko and wanted to know where they could purchase one. I will get in line with that person. That great monkey figure was custom built and is a one of a kind. If you have not seen this figure you can go to the Vent Haven Museum web site and view Jacko you just can’t buy him!!

 

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

***************************************************

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 2010 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Dummy Collecting, McElroy Brothers, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figure Building, Ventriloquist Figures, W.S. Berger & Vent Haven | Leave a comment