A vintage 1930s Canadian Charlie McCarthy ventriloquist dummy

A vintage 1930s Canadian Charlie McCarthy ventriloquist dummy.

Produced by the ‘Reliable doll company’ in Canada and modelled on the original doll used by the world famous ventriloquist Edgar Bergen.

Edgar and his dummy Charlie became a world-wide success with their act during the 1930s, this led to the increasing demand from amateurs looking to mimic Edgar’s act

This wonderful early example has a simple pull string operation, which when pulled allows the lower jaw to move.

With a fine hand painted composite head and arms, and a soft stuffed body. 

Charlie is still wearing his original jacket and trousers.

There are some lovely details to the dummy with his smiling face and individual painted teeth.

Charlie has survived well considering the quite fragile materials used to make him.

The head is in nice condition with very little damage and no signs of repair. The hand painted elements all look to be original. 

The pull string is operating as it should.

Some minor surface damage to the painted surface as illustrated.

He is missing one lower leg, but given it is simple straw stuffed cotton, this could be easily replaced.

Clothing is holding up well.