Ventriloquist Central - A Tribute To Ventriloquism

If you love Charlie McCarthy then you will love the Effanbee Charlie McCarthy put out by this co with permission from Edgar Bergan, and so marked on the back of its neck, back in the late 1930’s. This figure had a likeness that is almost exact to Charlie McCarthy and was sculpted for Effanbee by Virginia Curtis . This doll had a working mouth by way of a string out the back of the neck and came in 2 different sizes.
 
The 20″ tall version came dressed in a full black tuxedo with tails, white shirt with pearl buttons, bow tie, top hat and a pinback that said en Effanbee product with a picture of Charlie McCarthy. Many people list figures for sale claiming that they are Effanbee but unless you have the markings on the back of the neck that says ” Edgar Bergen’s Charlie McCarthy by Effanbee” they are more than likely made by K&S 
The 16″ size Charlie also came in complete tuxedo but was also available in an array of other outfits both casual and dress.
 
These figures were made of composition. That is the head, hands and feet are made of composition. You will see some sellers saying the hands and feet are wood but that is incorrect. The head is attached to the body with a neck plate and the clothing is pinned to the body. The arms, legs and body are stuffed and were done in the highest of quality. These were not a regular doll that kids played with but were sold as collector’s dolls even back then. Even aldults were taken with the Charlie McCarthy craze back then.
 
Effanbee also produced a W.C. Fields figure to go along with Charlie McCarthy and they are much more rare today than the Charlie doll.
 
I have included some pictures of these dolls so that you will know for sure you are looking at the real Effanbee Charlie McCarthy.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com
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If you think that you are going to be sure of a quality packing job just because you take your figure to a UPS store, don’t get too thrilled. I hate to be the one that spoils everyone’s thoughts especially at this time of the year but…Unless you watch them to see that you item is packed properly you take a chance. I myself just had this problem. Not that I had them pack for me but a figure which I was receiving was sent by way of a UPS Store and the packing was non exist and resulted in a total destruction of a great figure.
 
I know you will find it hard to believe but the UPS store just put the head into the box, laid the body on the top of the head then put crumpled up paper to take up the rest of the room in the box and sealed it closed. Yes this is the truth. No bubble wrap, no popcorn, no styrofoam protection of any sorts. The first time this box was put down the head was toast. Now UPS assured me, when I put in the claim that reimbursement would be made to the shipper who had fully insured the figure, but who wants the money?? I wanted the figure. These idiots don’t understand that at all.
 
It certainly makes tension for everyone involved both the shipper and the receiver. So beware of the UPS store and stand right there and watch them do the packing to assure they have done it correct. I am sure you don’t want this to happen to you.
 
I always pack a figure myself and I have never had a problem but of course I care about what I am shipping. These gorillas that are working only care about their hourly wage and have no regard for you or the item they are packing. This case is self evident. Make sure you take caution with your shipping.
 
Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com
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Merry Christmas from Dan & Steve

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All writings here are copyrighted by Dan Willinger and Ventriloquist Central. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

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Check out this great cartoon I saw in last week’s paper.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com
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All writings here are copyrighted by Dan Willinger and Ventriloquist Central. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

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Back a few years ago I was very fortunate to be able to acquire the Johnny Main collection of ventriloquist figures. One of the key figures was Archie II. Since Mr Main’s acquisition of Archie II he retired Archie I and only used Archie II as he liked this figure much more than the first. Johnny had made numerous repairs and had repainted him several times and by the time he came to me he was in pretty sad shape. I decided that this was a figure that had to go to the master for a complete restoration so off to Ray Guyll he went.
 
I had Archie II in my hands for only 2 days and then I shipped him off to Bothell, Washington for Ray’s expert work. Ray received him and told me that he had actually done a restoration of this figure many years back when Johnny had visited him in Washington. He had replaced the leather eyelids and also the leather upper lip for Johnny.  When I got him both of these were cracked and the paint was peeling. The Marshall style paint was long gone having had many coats of fresh paint from Johnny.
 
It is two and a half years later and low and behold Archie has returned to the rest of his family with me here in Boston and I must tell you, as I have said in the past, good things come to those who wait. I also say that opening a box from Ray Guyll at any time is like Christmas morning and this was no exception. I am able to say that Archie looks as though he was just delivered from the hands of Frank Marshall to me. He is nothing short of spectacular. The leather eyelids close all the way and are perfectly smooth. His upper lip is so fine and smooth that you would think it was carved wood and not leather. The superb color match and texture of the paint is Frank Marshall’s without question. I again must take my hat off and bow to Ray Guyll. He is today’s Gepetto and I defy anyone to show me a Marshall restoration that is better.
 
Please follow the link to look at this great Marshall figure on the Marshall page of my figure collection!! Enjoy seeing this figure because I know Johnny Main certainly would have loved to see him like this again.

Click here to see Johnny Main’s Archie II

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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All writings here are copyrighted by Dan Willinger and Ventriloquist Central. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

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