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Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Well, I decided the time had come for my Rick Price figure, Col. Hannibal L. Dickens, to join his brothers and sisters at the haven for ventriloquial figures, Vent Haven Museum. Unlike the many Marshalls and Macks, etc. that they have there, Hannibal will have the distinction of being the only Rick Price figure in the museum collection.
While I will miss having Hannibal here with me, (it's actually rather sad to be perfectly honest), I am glad that he will be at the museum where everyone who visits will get to see and appreciate Rick's fine creation. I hope that some of you who attend the convention this year will look for him. I will not be able to attend, so I am also hoping, if anyone thinks of it, maybe snap a few pictures of him there to email me when they get home from the convention. Below are some final pictures I took, which I also added to his webpage (I am going to be keeping his webpage up); http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/hannibal.html
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
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manal Inner circle York ,PA. 1412 Posts |
Dave ,
Hannibal is obviously a beautifully made figure. I can tell also it holds a great deal of sentimental value for you. The vent community I am sure is gratefull for your donation and I am sure many will enjoy seeing him in the VentHaven collection. I hope some day I am lucky enough to see him there in person. |
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Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Yes Jim, Hannibal is a very beautifully made figure, Rick was a true artist.
Hannibal does hold a lot of sentimental value for me, partly because he was made for me by someone who wasn't just a figuremaker, he was also a very good friend whom I still miss greatly. And Hannibal was also what I always described as a "vent's dream figure" - my definition of that: coming up with a character, all developed in your mind, and knowing just what he should look like, then either creating, or having someone create the perfect figure to fit, which Rick did perfectly. I hope someday you get to make it there and see him up close and personal, and all the other fine figures there as well.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
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kidshowvent Elite user 410 Posts |
Dave, on behalf of my other Board of Advisor members at Vent Haven Museum, let me be the first to say a big "thank you!" for your donation. I know "Hannibal" will be among his peers and have a place of honor at the table of ventriloquism! Mark
markwade@kidshowvent.com |
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Karen Climer Veteran user Orlando, Florida 324 Posts |
Dave,
I always find it curious when people decide to donate their figure to a museum rather than sell/give it to someone who will use it. To me, it seems sad to send a perfectly good figure to sit a museum where it will never be used again. Do you mind sharing why you decided to give it to the museum? I'm not criticizing your decision - there are certainly hundreds of others who have done the same thing. I am genuinely curious as to why you decided to give it Vent Haven instead of giving it to a vent, selling it to vent, selling it to a collector, or any other option. |
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Servante Inner circle 1330 Posts |
Dave,
As I told you over on facebook, I've thought about sending my original "Louie" to Vent Haven. I'm still having some trouble with the idea, since we've been together for decades. I'll be curious to hear your take on the whole experience. -Philip |
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Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
I feel your sadness, Dave. Sending away an old friend like that leaves an empty place in one's heart.
Bob |
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Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Thank you Mark, I know he will be well cared for and protected there.
Thank you Bob, it really is like parting with an old friend. Philip - overall I see it as a positive thing, yes, it is hard and sad to part with a figure that's been very important and special to you, but I take comfort in knowing he's safe and can be appreciated by many in the vent community now. Maybe my reply to Karen below will also help in your thoughts on the matter. Okay Karen, I've saved you for last as it is going to be the longer reply; First, let me answer the easiest part: about selling the figure to a collector, and my question is this: how is that better than going to the museum? Sell the figure to a private collector, they are the only one who gets to enjoy and appreciate him, at the museum, everyone who goes there gets to see him. Not only that, but they could end up selling him, or they pass away and their heirs sell him, which brings me to the big issue(s); Here is the main motivating factor in deciding to send Hannibal to the museum; Hannibal is my own personal creation, I had his character, personality, voice, and how he should look all set in my mind before I even started to look to have a figure made. Then Rick created the perfect figure to fit what I had created, and for icing on the cake, Rick was a very good friend, and so this was something made specifically for me by my very good friend whom I miss. I know this is going to border on the "cracked vent" thing of being too attached to their figure, but I can not even imagine anyone else using him, giving him a different voice, even dressing him differently - not only can I not imagine it, I don't want to imagine it. What I really don't want to imagine is him going through a variety of other owners, other owners who may not care for him the way I did. Anyone sees him, they will see a figure that looks like new - he got exceptional care. Not everyone cares for their figures so well, or well at all from some I've seen over the years. I don't want to think about him getting mishandled and damaged and abused. And what I really don't want to think about is someone getting their hands on him and deciding to modify him, even something as simple as a wig change, and it really makes me shudder to think of someone getting him and deciding to resculpt his face and ruin Rick's fine work (and don't think it doesn't happen, I've seen people do that with classic collectible figures). So why donate to the museum instead of selling him to another vent? Basically, the underlying theme of all I just wrote, it's for the sake of protecting and preserving my creation as he is, for protecting and preserving the fine piece of art that Rick created, that he created for me, and just on that point alone, it's no different than someone donating a piece of art to any other museum for the sake of protecting, preserving a piece of art and having it someplace for all to enjoy.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
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Karen Climer Veteran user Orlando, Florida 324 Posts |
Thanks for explaining your rational. Parts of it are a little bit "cracked vent," but that's OK. You are right that people will do crazy things to wonderful figures. Clinton used to post photos on his blog of figures people had sent him to repair. Some of them were a mess.
I think VH is a most peculiar place. It is different from others museums and not just because it's the only museum for vent figures. I don't know of any art museum where just anybody can donate their artwork and expect it to be displayed. Most art museums only want certain art by certain artists. (They wouldn't want a painting by me, for instance) As far as I know, VH will take any figure from anybody and display it. It doesn't have to be from a famous person or have historical significance or anything that other museums focus on. That philosophy definitely leads to a more eclectic collection. I mean they have everything from one of a kind figure from famous people to mass-produced puppets from someone you've never heard of. It's basically a museum by the vent community for the vent community. (I can't imagine they have too many visitors that aren't vents.) I don't know of any other activity that a museum like that. But there are hobbies were their item, whether its a vent figure or musical instrument or doll collection or whatever, is as personal as a vent figure is to people. I just think it's interesting how VH came to be what it is. |
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kidshowvent Elite user 410 Posts |
Karen, as a Board member at Vent Haven I think you may have some misunderstandings as to how things work at the museum. We cannot show every figure permanently..they rotate some of the inventory to allow new donations to be viewed and then they are either displayed in a special place or stored, according to the type of puppet/figure it is. If we have a dozen that are the same stock puppet I am sure our curator takes one of the best examples of the stock figure and displays that one. The rest are stored.
Many of the figures we receive have some historical signifigance and those get a more permanent display in the collection. After all, this place lives up to it's name..it is a "haven" or last home for many of them. We take care of the figures that we get in as donations...displayed or not. As far as people visiting the museum, we get all types and ages of groups..not just vents. We have bus tours that stop...we have scout groups..we have interested people who are fascinated by our art. And yes, we do get vents. If you have any other questions or comments I think you should take them up with the curator, Jen Dawson, who can give you accurate information. Her number is 859-341-0461. Also you should plan a trip to our ConVENTion to get a bird's eye view of what's going on. I know you will be glad you did. Mark markwade@kidshowvent.com |
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Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Yes, Karen, you may have seen this on his blog, but here's an example of a figure Clinton restored that was a mess, this is what it looked like after Clinton fixed it (I own this figure now, it's why I saved these pics, and no, I did not own it when it was in disrepair);
This is what it looked like when he got it for repair; Anyway, yeah, I didn't bother explaining the whys of donating to the museum, I just assume anyone in the vent community would know. I don't think VH can be compared to most "regular" museums since it is dedicated to vent, most museums, it's whatever the art is. It would be even harder to have a museum where anyone could donate whatever art they created because there's just sooooo many many different types of art and lots of people doing them all, no place could house them all. Even Vent Haven, with it's specific type of "art" is hard put for enough space. There are other museums specific to other hobbies and interests that we just don't know about because we're not into those. I know in watching different shows on TV, I've found out about a few that I never would have thought (sorry, I can't now remember their subject matter), and I'm sure there's many others. I'm sure a lot of people don't know about Vent Haven who aren't into vent. In the end, I'm glad there is a Vent Haven, because otherwise, I would have had to have Hannibal buried with me, which would totally change my plans because I want to be cremated. Although, I could have still been cremated and had a small casket made big enough for Hannibal and put my ashes in with him. Hmmmmmm.....nah, too late now....
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
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Karen Climer Veteran user Orlando, Florida 324 Posts |
Yeah, I can see your family explaining to the funeral director why Hannibal needs a casket. Although, I'm sure they have had some crazy requests.
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Karen Climer Veteran user Orlando, Florida 324 Posts |
Mark,
I attended the Convention once and got a bird's eye view, and don't expect to return. Related to other educational events I have attended, it was a disappointment to say the least. I went the Jimmy Nelson year, and I loved his performances, watching old footage, and other aspect related to honoring him. I'm glad I attended one year, but don't expect to participate again. |
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Fonsy Regular user 187 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-02-12 20:16, Dickens & Dave wrote: "Arthur Prince and Jim, died 14th. April 1948. Julie Prince, died 14th. Sept. 1949." Dave, you wouldn't be the first. Arthur Prince was buried with his figure, Sailor Jim. There's probably enough room in the coffin for the both of you. |
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Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Knew I wouldn't be the first, and I don't believe he is the only one.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
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kidshowvent Elite user 410 Posts |
Karen, sorry you thought the Vent Haven ConVENTion was such a disappoiontment...but you get out of your experience what you want to put into it. I'm also sorry, but I respectully disagree with you. I have hundreds and hundreds of vents that have written, called, or emailed me to say it was a unique learning experience and not like any other convention they have ever attended and that they enjoyed it. If you formed your opinion by going once..that's too bad. I've attended ALL of them (and have run a big portion of them as Executive Director) and I can definitely say you are in a very small minority. I'll remove you from the mailing list so you will not have to be bothered again.
Mark markwade@kidshowvent.com |
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Steve at The Dummy Shoppe Elite user 479 Posts |
Here is where I find it impossible to be silent. One has to realize that the ConVENTion is not just targeted to one small sector of the vent community. It has something for everyone, however it does place special emphasis on the young beginner or the beginner of any age. Without VHC, I would not have anywhere to recommend to my young customers where they could go and get such a full spectrum of different layers of Vent education. It is critical for many young vents to get to see people like Jeff Dunham who they idolize from television in order to help solidify their individual dreams of what is possible in the world of vent.
Another major factor that keeps me both going, and being able to recommend VHC is that Mark Wade has consistantly kept a lid on the type of material that is acceptable. Many young vents do all their vent stuff inside the confines of Church type organizations and if I were not able to tell parents that VHC is "family" clean, then they would not be allowed to go. To date I believe that we have at least four of our customers going to VHC this year for the first time, and several more trying to work out the details. Then there is the factor that VHC is a form of annual "fellowship" among vents. In 3-1/2 days old friends get to reunite, and many new friendships are born due to the common interest of the ConVENTion. It is expected that the newbies will be given special treatment by the oldsters whose job it is to make the new folks feel welcome and to make certain that new people understand that there is no such thing as stupid questions. I have never before heard anyone say that they did not plan on coming back. If that is the case Karen, then for my part I apologize for not having helped make you feel like part of the family when you were there in 2011. Steve http://thedummyshoppe.com/blog |
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Karen Climer Veteran user Orlando, Florida 324 Posts |
Thank you Steve. I really appreciate it. After I read Mark's message, I was trying to imagine doing a show where the client said they didn't like it, and I responded by saying, "That's your fault." Huh?! Is that you treat the people who pay your bills?
Steve, I'm glad you have a better approach. That is one of the reasons The Dummy Shoppe has an excellent reputation. Thanks again, Karen |
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Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Well this thread has certainly gotten off track......
In reference to the topic, Fedex tracking shows Hannibal arrived at Vent Haven today, hopefully safe and sound, though the way I had him packed, he should have. Tom Ladshaw is going to be there Friday and I've asked him to let me know that Hannibal weathered the trip okay.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
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kidshowvent Elite user 410 Posts |
Sorry, Dave, if we got off topic. ..and sorry to to you too Karen as I really didn't mean to offend you. I feel we provide a good product at Vent Haven and we try really hard to give our attendees a good experience. But you are entitled to your opinion and I hope at some point you may want to revisit us. Thanks!
Mark markwade@kidshowvent.com |
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