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James Arnott New user London 54 Posts |
Just wondered if any of you guys use/own any Leonard Insull figures (sold through Davenports Magic, London) or Geoff Felix dolls, who still works in Len's style? And if so what you thought.
Regards, James |
tacrowl Inner circle Maryland 1633 Posts |
James,
I do not, but you may want to contact Dan over at Ventriloquist Central - http://ventriloquistcentral.com/index.htm He collects and I believe he has a couple Insull pieces. |
James Arnott New user London 54 Posts |
Am a collector myself, and have some of their work, just wondered what peices of their work had made it out of England and how you guys rate them.
Cheers, James |
Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
James,
My first professional figure was an Insull that my father ordered for me from Davenports back in about '73. It took a long time for him to arrive, and I believe he was one of the last figures Mr. Insull made. I named him Willie McPherson. He was a great looking figure and very well made. The mechanics were very smooth and quiet. He incurred some damage at the hands of my nephew. I sent Willie to Clinton Detweiler for repairs (broken eyes and a dented nose) and repainting, and also a new wig. I wasn't a collector, Willie was a working figure, so I wasn't concerned about keeping him 'original'. He came home with somewhat toned down paint, more appropriate to the small rooms and backyards I performed in. Plus he had a new dark red wig and handpainted eyes. I was really happy with his new look and I added a little red goatee and he became a more grown-up figure since I was about 18 by this time. I lost him when the roof caved in on a storage building during heavy rains back in the early 90's. I still regret having put him in storage. Anyway, he was a first rate figure. You won't see Insull's in use too much these days, as many are in the hands of collectors, plus there is a bias towards the soft puppet and slot jaw type hard figure in the US. My figure Henry is a slot jaw type. There's a pro vent from Florida, Brenda Stelzer, who uses an Insull figure named George Henry. David Pitts |
Wanlu Inner circle Manila, Philippines 3058 Posts |
There are several Insulls in Ebay right now...just a few months ago, I was bidding on one that got sold for less than $500 only...lucky winner
"The Old Path"
www.angdatingdaan.org Wanlu's Affordable Puppets http://wanlu.net/ventpuppets.html Wanlu and his Puppets http://wanlu.net |
John Chapman New user 17 Posts |
Greetings from New Zealand.
James, I currently have 3 Insull figures. Well, Insull heads - as they didn't tend to ship bodies to this side of the world. I've always just been fascinated by vent dolls since I was a kid - tried to make them, buy them etc. My first Insull I bought 10 years ago from an old guy who was a vent doll builder in New Zealand for many years. All I knew was that it was a Davenport, as this was stamped on the base of the neck. I formed a good friendship with this old chap, and he encouraged me to build some of my own figures. That's a different story. Anyway, Pat had found this Davenport head in a terrible state and repaired and repainted it. Movements: both lips, eyes, eybrows, eyelids. Also a smoker fitting, but no moving ears. Here's a picture of Charlie: http://www.clevedonpresy.co.nz/Legacy/john/charlie.JPG A year or so ago I bought a handsome figure from Australia, in very nice condition with moving lips, eyes, eyelids, eyebrows, and ears. Also has crying and smoking fittings. His name is Johnny, and is a real charmer! Recently I acquired a 3rd figure from a local auction site in NZ. It was from the stock of a long since defunct Magic Shop here in NZ. The paintwork was incredibly clean, but the back of the head had been cut away and lost (behind the hair line fortunately!) and one of the winkers didn't work. I took a mould from the back of my first Insull's head and managed to replace the back of the new one. The winker unfortunately was unrepairable - I consulted Geoff Felix about this and he agreed best to leave it. The original hair was pretty much gone, so I gave him a new wig and called him Archie. Archie has the standard Number 2 movements: both lips, eyelids (well, eyelid now!), eyebrows, eyes, and ears. Here's Johnny and Archie: http://www.clevedonpresy.co.nz/Legacy/john/boys.jpg I met Geoff Felix in 2003 - I was holidaying in London and decided to go and knock on his door. Spent a thoroughly interesting hour or so talking vent dolls and Insull. He had many of his heads on display, and they're all first rate. Unfortunately it had cost me all my savings to pay for the holiday, and I really wasn't in a position to buy anything from him. Regards, John. |
Daveandrews Special user London, UK 723 Posts |
Geoff Felix is a very nice person and willing to talk 'puppets' ad infinitum. For those who don't know, he is very highly regarded world wide having worked with, among others, Ronn Lucas.
Regards, Dave
http://[URL]www.partymagic.org.uk" target="_blank">www.partymagic.org.uk" target="_blank">http://[URL]www.partymagic.org.uk
Winner of KIDabra International's 'People's Choice Award' Winner IBM British Ring Dittia Shield for manipulation x 2 |
John Chapman New user 17 Posts |
Here's a good example of Geoff's that was on UK Ebay recently. No takers sadly:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Unique-Professional-......ViewItem |
John Chapman New user 17 Posts |
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marshalldoll Special user 554 Posts |
I have owned and sold many of Len Insull figures and the are a very fine product. I think of the paper mache type figures his were the best with the best looking faces. I currently have a fully loaded cheeky boy, 2 original pocket figures and an original toby jug in my collection.
Dan http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com |
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