Lot 40: Frank Marshall's Bernie Birchwood Ventriloquist Figure

Frank Marshall's Berni Birchwood ventriloquist figure. This ventriloquist figure is unusual for a Marshall and was created late in Frank Marshall's career although he has one thing that is a throw back to his earlier creations. He has the leather under his chin but it does not attach as the leather did back in the 30's and forties. It is shaped and allows the mouth to really open wide yet you do not see the hole under the chin. Also unusual is that the ears on this Marshall are extremely detailed and his nostrils are also carved out very deep. The ball and socket neck is rather large but the head is also a bit bigger than normal but the total height of the figure is the standard 40" tall. The head is secured with the normal screws though the top sides of the head and also the lower back of the neck. The center lower screw secures the head stick. His wig is original, is a bit thin and has a perfect part just like the hair style of the time. The card inside his head is from the Loomis Blvd address so I this fellow would date from the late 1950's to early 1960. His lever and head stick are original but the lever is not the common chop stick but rather a dowel. He only has mouth movement but Bernie has a great look.

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The Lifetime Collection of Dan Willinger to Private Collection