August Newsletter

 

 

 

 
Comments from Dan
Well July was one busy month.

First off, let me apologize for this newsletter coming out so late.  We try to get it out by the first Saturday of the month, however a few circumstances prevented that from happening this month.

You may or may not know that my webmaster and partner, Steve, ended up with pneumonia after the ConVENTion and was doing very little for a couple of weeks. 

Once he started feeling better, one of his clients was going through some major changes that took a lot of his time (Steve, like me, is self-employed).

So with all that going on, Steve had very little time to devote to Ventriloquist Central.  However, I'm happy to say that we're back on track.

As I said at the beginning, July was a busy month.  Of course the big thing was the Vent Haven ConVENTion and so much was happening there.

And at the ConVENTion, we experimented with doing LIVE broadcasts.  Some turned out okay and others were not as good, but it was a learning process and all in all, I think it worked out pretty good.

I got to see a lot of my old friends and meet many new ones.  It was great for people to come up, introduce themselves as avid followers of Ventriloquist Central, especially the young people.  It was pretty amazing so many are visiting the website.

So sit back, relax, grab a beverage as we recap some of last month's happenings.

 


 

 

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www.SecretsofVentriloquism.com

 

 
Things You May Have Missed In July On Ventriloquist Central
 
Alyse Eady Named Miss Arkansas 2010 (and She’s a Ventriloquist)

Steve Hurst met Alyse Eady a few months back and found out that she won the Miss Arkansas pageant.

 
 
Vent Haven ConVENTion 2010 Pictures on Ventriloquist Central

Check out some of the pictures from Vent Haven ConVENTion 2010


 
Vent Haven ConVENTion 2010 Videos on Justin.tv

Check out some of the videos that we did LIVE from the Vent Haven ConVENTion on Justin.tv


 
Ventriloquist Central on Blog Talk Radio

This month we a recap of the Vent Haven ConVENTion 2010 on BlogTalkRadio.  If you missed the interview, you'll definitely want to listen.


 
A Donation to the Ventriloquist Central Collection from Albert Alfaro, Imaginarium Galleries

Albert Alfaro of Imaginarium Galleries donated this nice ventriloquist figure to the Ventriloquist Central Collection at the Vent Haven ConVENTion 2010.


 
Of course we had many other blogs throughout the month of July, so be sure to check them all out, just in case you might have missed one. 

July Archives

 

 
Ventriloquist Marketplace
 

 
We have had quite a bit of activity on the Ventriloquist Marketplace.  In fact, one figure I listed sold within a couple of hours of listing it, so be sure you keep checking it out.
 

 

 
 
Bob Isaacson My Ventriloquist Mentor

For me every time I go to the Vent Haven ConVENTion the highlight is being able to spend time with my good friend and mentor Bob Isaacson.


 

 

Jerry Layne’s Comparison to Vent Haven’s W.S. Berger

 

I had a very nice conversation this past month with Jerry Layne as we discussed some business after the ConVENTion last week. I was exceedingly happy with a statement that he said to me and that was that I was this century’s W.S. Berger. Jerry had gone to the Ventriloquist Central web site and had finally spent some time browsing all that the site has to offer.

He was very impressed with the Ventriloquist Central Collection and was amazed to know that I had put this collection together in a short 12 years.

W.S Berger was like me a non ventriloquist but he loved the art and the figures (and anything else that in the slightest way encompassed ventriloquism) and over a period of collecting which spanned 4 decades he amassed approximately 550 figures.

I have approximately 160 figures at present and if I can keep up pace I am actually doing better than W.S. in the quest. Also during Mr Berger’s time all of the great makers like Marshall, Pinxy, Spencer, Carol, McElroys were all alive and therefore the figures were readily available. They in fact were not collectible except to him. For me it is an active search because non are available any longer and they must be sought out from private hands that have had them hidden away for decades.

I only wish I was able to just make a telephone call and order a great figure from Frank Marshall or from the McElroy brothers. That would be so great!!

Mr Berger also sold figures for Frank Marshall and for Len Insull. As matter of fact most of the Insull pocket figures were sold by Mr Berger. He was a business man for sure and utilized all avenues to add to his collection.

I had a great conversation with Lisa Sweasy at the museum and she told me there are over 500,000 pieces of correspondence from Mr Berger. He networked back then as if he had a computer. No wonder he was able to have so many figures end up in the museum.

Well Jerry just made me feel great because Mr Berger is MY idol and I am just so pleased to be thought of in his shadow.

Thanks Jerry for the compliment!!

 


 

 

For Those Interested In The Art Of Ventriloquism

 

 

“The Ventriloquism Historical Information Collection, Volume 1.”

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Comments come in to me on a regular basis thanking me for sharing the Ventriloquist Central Collection with the public. I am of course always appreciative of these comments as this love of the ventriloquist figure of mine just has to be shared. How else can I put it ?

When Steve and I first got together to do the web site it was to showcase the ventriloquist figure collection I had put together at that time. I wanted everyone who had a love of ventriloquism to be able to see them at anytime day or night twenty four seven.

The web site was the only way. Of course the web site has grown to much more and it is a true labor of love between Steve and me.

I have tried to show each figure from all angles and give history and data on each one. It is only fair that you as the onlooker should have all the information on each piece.

I have done a series of videos for Ventriloquist Central and will keep doing them unabated so that you get to see each figure working and moving. I myself love showing all of you these great works of art. Why else would you collect if you were not going to share your collection.

So keep checking in as new items get added to the collection all the time and if you are in the Boston area make sure you contact me so that you can come by and see the collection in person.

 

Till next time,
Dan

 
 

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