Here’s a video showing and talking about the McElroy brother’s ventriloquist figure that has been referred to as the “Troll”. This video is part three.
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Ventriloquist Central Collection Video Series – McElroy “Troll” Figure Part 2
Here’s a video showing and talking about the McElroy brother’s ventriloquist figure that has been referred to as the “Troll”. This video is part two.
Ventriloquist Central Collection Video Series – McElroy “Troll” Figure Part 1
Here’s a video showing and talking about the McElroy brother’s ventriloquist figure that has been referred to as the “Troll”. This video is part one.
Ventriloquist Canfield Smith’s Frank Marshall Figure
Someone sent in an email and asked about the ventriloquist Canfield Smith. Back in September 2008, I did a blog about him along with the Frank Marshall ventriloquist figure that is now in the Ventriloquist Central Collection.
Since it’s been over 6 years since that blog was published, I thought it might be a good reminder for some, new to others.
Canfield Smith was a performer in the late 1940’s and 1950’s and was what Stanley Burns labeled as a “Cod Performer” and that is a performer that was a comedian who discovered that mis copy-ing can be lucrative.
Thoughts on Collecting Ventriloquist Figures
Almost every builder of figures sold everything separately such as bodies, hands or heads. Frank Marshall in his catalogue offered heads and hands.
Other makers such as Pinxy, Spencer, Finis, and Coats also sold parts. This was a business for these builders so sales of parts was important for them to be able to increase business. Granted they most certainly wanted to sell complete figures to get the highest amount of income but these sales of parts were a must.
Consequently from time to time you will find a figure that has a head by one maker and a body by another and maybe even the hands are from a third maker. This is even true today. I have seen many figures for sale on ebay made up of parts. This is not bad but I myself view a “parts put together figure” as just that… parts.
This brings me to the old topic of value. I know some do not agree, but for the most value, all the parts must be original and any replacements of other makers parts de-value the figure.
