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Rare c.1895 Ventriloquist’s Dummy by Alfred LeMare

Name: Rare C.1895 Ventriloquist’s Dummy By Alfred LeMare
SKU: as155a931
Price: 1390.00 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

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The turn of the century period male vent figure of high build quality in 100% original condition, with five operating mechanisms to animate the lips, mouth, and eyes, the head stick travelling to the bottom board of the body with peg into which the pin fits giving the head a 360 degree rotation, in tweed suit with check bow-tie, ribbed socks and leather shoes, the head of short brown horse hair and the body constructed of a combination of paper maché, and wooden composition parts with the carved wooden hands painted in a light skin colour. The long and double hinged two part legs giving the figure yet more function with the handles well worn and positioned through the dummies base and out the other side for control. The whole is presented in the original quality tin and iron bound carrying suitcase trunk, in keeping with the period.

In good overall original condition, there has been a little over-painting to the face but the whole is in fine fettle considering its advanced years. All five of the mechanisms are in working order. The costume for the dummy is good quality and all original. The trunk is probably twenty years younger than the figure but is a decent quality canvas and leather case.

Alfred LeMare began business in 1861 making property for theaters, but he later specialized in magic and ventriloquial goods at his shop in Manchester, England. He supplied figures for Fred Russell and Arthur Prince. In today's collector world of ventriloquist figures there are a few very rare figures and one is the Alfred LeMare. This builder worked in the 19th century and created his figures of both paper mache and wood

The uncanny nature of ventriloquist’s dummies has enthralled and spooked people for decades, and they continue to feature in horror films to this day. The idea of the ghost in the inanimate object is not a new one, Freud has written at length on the subject in his discussions on the uncanny, and ghost stories have featured dolls and portraits coming to life for centuries.

One of the rarest ventriloquist figures one could hope to find and as such is the true connoisseurs choice.

Price

£~~1390.00~~

$~~1744.59~~ USA

€~~1680.51~~

The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 19/DEC/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Phone or visit the website to buy, Free UK shipping.

DimensionsTorso Height 21 inches Leg Length 28 inches (fully contracted) Width (Shoulder to Shoulder) 12 inches (all approximate) Date c.1895 Late Victorian Antiques Material Papier Mache Origin English Condition Very Good. Item code as155a931 Status Sold

SellerDoe And Hope

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Doe And Hope

Private dealer, By appointment only
The Onion Barn, Shoe Cottage,
15 High Street, Blunham,
Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL.
MK44 3NL

Tel : 07729 213013

Non UK callers : +44 7729 213013

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