Ventriloquist Central Blog

Well it seems that every year up till about 6 years ago the Vent Haven Convention always had a separate group photo for all those that came with their Frank Marshall figures. I unfortunately never made it in time so that I could get into that picture. Also I do think that the gain in popularity of the soft puppet kind of brought an end to a lot of hard figures coming to convention.

So I had a great idea !!! We are going to create a “Frank Marshall Group” page on Ventriloquist Central.

If you still have a Frank Marshall figure even if you no longer use it, maybe because of value, PLEASE take a picture of yourself with the Marshall figure. If you have more than one Marshall figure you can send a picture of you with each one or do a group shot, whichever you prefer.

Send the pictures to us and we will put them up to showcase everyone who owns one of Frank’s creations. Just send them to Steve the webmaster at webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com .

This should be fun and I am sure everyone will want to see you and your Marshall(s).

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. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2008 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

It certainly was fun watching the Marshall figure that ended on eBay last Friday. During the course of that week I had many many emails asking about this figure and now I can say with no reservations it was a wonderful example of Marshall’s work but there were a few things that kept me from bidding.

First in my opinion the paint was not original. The eyebrows were not done like Marshall plus the skin tone was not Marshall and he had no eyeshadow which is also not typical for Marshall. The seller then added pictures of the headstick and the control for the side to side eye movement was without question not Marshall. The placement of the wig was also not correct and it made him look like a Frankenstein head. So there were a multitude of things that kept me from bidding on him.

I must also say that Marshall figures, like this one, or any kind for that matter, do not show up very often so when one does come along, and if you have always wanted a Marshall figure, then you have to bid. I was asked was he worth the price paid? And the answer is of course YES. It sold for $5101.00 so it has to be worth it to at least the buyer and also the under bidder.

I will say that if I didn’t already own a Marshall and I wanted one, then this particular Marshall would have come to my collection. You just have to make up your mind and decide if it is for you. As prolific a builder as Frank Marshall was, his figures today are very hard to find so when opportunity knocks.

I hope this helps everyone who sent in questions to me. If you have any comments, please feel free to leave them below.

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. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2008 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

I was quite pleased when these pictures arrived from Dennis Alwood showing him in front of, 5518 S. Loomis, Chicago… the residence of the famous ventriloquist figure maker, Frank Marshall.

Dennis visited his residence on his last trip to Chicago and thought it would be fun to show everyone where the master lived. I envy Dennis because he spent many days at the master’s shop when he was a kid and of course owned a number of Frank’s figures over the years. I know Dennis is still searching for his original Marshall figure which Madeline Maher sold on him before he could get it back.

I too marvel at the fact that all the Marshall figures in my collection came from this masters hands and many of them from this particular address.

Hey Dennis thanks for sharing this with all of us here on Ventriloquist Central.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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

Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 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 2008 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