Figure of the Month
March 2008: Oscar

Figure Name: Oscar

Created by: Theo Mack and Sons

Used by: Howard Kingsley

Trivia: 
1. This figure, used by magician/ ventriloquist Howard Kingsley, was donated to Vent Haven Museum in October of 2007.
2. Kingsley, whose real name was Herman Schanbacher, lived from 1885-1939.
4. Kingsley's daughter, Jean Schanbacher Penman, inherited the figure upon her father's death in 1939. The figure remained in her possession until it was donated to Vent Haven.
5. Along with Oscar, Mrs. Penman donated a toy figure and several magic items to the museum.
6. In addition to being a ventriloquist, Kingsley was also an author. His 1931 book Ventriloquism: How It is Done is part of the Vent Haven Museum library.
7. As this figure was so recently donated (as of March, 2008) it is not yet on display and cannot be seen from any of the Quicktime virtual pans of the museum.
8. The figure will be on display beginning in May 1, 2008 in the "New for 2008" display.

Do you have additional information about this figure? Do you have a suggestion for a future Figure of the Month? Is there a figure maker whose work you would like to see featured? Let us know by emailing the Vent Haven staff.