'Maxie': an Austrian ventriloquist's dummy, circa 1935, painted wood and papier-mache male figure, wearing full evening dress, his leather shoes with grey spats, the brown wig with centre parting, glass eyes with blue irises, the mechanism operating mouth, eyebrows and eyelids independently, 95cm high (nose damaged), with two owner/performer's diaries spanning 1935 to 1956, and a small selection of conjuring trick accessories.

Footnote: 'Maxi' was owned by Harold 'Romy' Romberg who was a keen amateur ventriloquist, performing to small audiences, invited guests and family gatherings between 1935 and the 1950s. Fleeing the Nazi regime in 1939, Romberg joined the British forces where he remained during the war, performing with Maxie regularly at regimental functions. Shortly after the war, Romberg returned to Germany with the Intelligence Corps where he and Maxie continued to perform. Romberg was evidently fascinated by the ventriloquist's art, filling his diaries with cuttings, photographs and letters gathered over the years. One such letter from Ealing Studios in 1947 replies to Romberg's enquiry as to the fate of 'Hugo', the dummy featured in the 1947 horror film 'Dead of Night'.

Condition Report
Head: Nose dented, cracked and compressed with associated surface hairlines around.   Wear and chips to paintwork in places.  Wig appears fair.  Mechanicals working okay but right eyelid is a little sticky.
Body and hands: Fair to good with some surface paint chipping to hands and evidence of re-painting.
Costume: Fair to reasonable condition with some small moth holes but no obvious splits or tares.  Seams and stitching good. Colour fair to good.  Shoe spats show some moth damage.  Shoe leather has some surface wear.
PLEASE REFER TO IMAGES.

Bidding indicates acceptance of the condition of the lot.  All lots are sold subject to general wear and tear commensurate with age and handling over time and only obvious faults will be mentioned after a visual inspection. If you have particular specialist questions on any lot, please state these before bidding since we cannot and will not provide a forensic examination of any lot but only a general condition report as a guide only. All condition reports given by Halls Holdings Ltd's representatives or agents are statements of opinion and not fact. If you require any further information about any lots in this auction or about bidding please do not hesitate to contact us again.