It is so great when you get pleasantly surprised
and this was one of those times. I purchased an antique
ventriloquist figure which I originally thought was an English
figure because of his look and the fact that he had the English
style leather mouth. (Living mouth as it is called today was coined
by Craig Lovik)
Upon his arrival as I unpacked him I got very excited because
instead of being made from Paper Mache he was all carved wood with
original carved wood hands and great wooden body. He stands 30" tall
and his head is unusually large for the size body. He is dressed in
his original Edwardian attire.
I had to do some digging in all my books and on the internet but I
do believe that I have found this figure was carved by Louis Grannat
of Brooklyn NY and was done in the late 19th to the turn of the 20th
century. This makes him an actual antique. True definition of
antique is 100 years old except for automobiles which is 25 years
old.
I know of only 2 other Louis Grannat figures and both of them are in
the Vent Haven Museum. The first is called Tommy Baloney and was the
very first figure purchased by W.S. Berger and it was one of his
favorite four figures.
The second in the Vent Haven and is called
Wynnychuck Boy. Unfortunately if you do not know of this figure you
will not be able to see him as I do not think he is visible on the
Vent Haven site. He looks very similar to the figure You see here in
the Ventriloquist Central Collection. The Tommy Baloney figure is a
different face.
So I hope you enjoy looking at this wonderful addition to the
collection.
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