Ventriloquist Dummy English Gent by Brant Gilmer, Alex Howell, original owner

Description

Hello.  This is the professional ventriloquist figure named:  The English Gentleman.  Original design and paint by Alex Howell. Sculpting and mechanics of figure were done by master figure maker Brant Gilmer.  Clothes by Ralph Lauren and J. Crew. Figure has just been admired since creation in 2012; never used on stage or elsewhere.  Case is mint and was bought from Detweiler of Colorado around 2012 as well.  Figure has been stored either inside case per photo here, or sitting in a chair outside of any sun contact.  Homes have been smoke free, air conditioned.
This is one wonderful ventriloquist figure, a one-of-a-kind figure versus one in a production series.  There are no bad surprises here:  everything is mint with no dents, no scratches, no tears in any clothing.  The head and control stick are in mint condition, as are clothes, shoes, and case.
Here is the history of how this figure was created.
In the movie The King's Speech, the voice coach that works with King George VI, is the actor Geoffrey Rush.  It's the character Geoffrey Rush that became the model for this figure.  Artist and designer Alex Howell did the original drawings.   Alex is a super talented, ex Disney artist who has a long successful career in the world of ventriloquist figures.
Once the final design was done, Alex provided drawings to master builder Brant Gilmer in Ohio.  Brant then proceeded to build the figure; it's a true wood carved figure and the mechanics are brass and many consider Brant's work to be the best anywhere in USA.  Brant finishes the sculpting, and assembly of the head with full mechanics for right handed manipulation....but I suspect a clever lefty could work the figure.  Here are the moving complications:  moving mouth with large lever in front of control stick, self centering eyes and lever which makes eyes slide left or right, individual eye blinkers where you can have just one eyelid close--right or left--or you can have two eyelids close and open together, and then the raising eyebrows which adds special surprise dimension to figure.
When Brant was finished with sculpting, then carving the head from wood and installing the mechanics, the figure was returned to Alex Howell.  Alex then did the final paint and if you look closely at the shadowing and use of various colors, this is a very lengthy effort employing many art skills.   Alex also did the wig, and applied grey highlights per the photos here.
For the control stick, please see photos posted here.  Controls are for right handed person but a clever lefty might be able to work it.  The large lever in front works mouth, and the other controls do the side-to-side moving eyes, dual controls for the closing eyelids, and one upper control works the raising eyebrows.  In photos here, I tried to show a number of expressions possible.  The individual eyelid controls are next to each other on the stick so that you can direct left or right, or press in the middle and you get both moving together.
What I can tell you is that controls are incredibly smooth, and they work flawlessly.  These are the best controls of any figure I've seen.
I met Brant when Florida ventriloquist Al Sevens told me best figure maker in USA was Brant, and we met at Ventriloquist Convention which is held each year next to Cincinnati airport in Kentucky--also home of the Ventriloquist Museum called "Vent Haven Museum"  in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
Brant also made the body for the figure, and the hand carved hands.  For clothing on this guy, I tried to buy the best:  all in size 4T.  Sport coat is Ralph Lauren Polo in 4T and had tailor do the sleeves and also put a slit in back of jacket.  Shirt is Thomas Martin of England for J. Crew in 4T, also had tailor put slit in back so hand to control stick is super easy.  Pants are by J. Crew; wingtip leather shoes are just great from J. Crew and have a real adult look to them.  Bow tie is made by Beau Ties of Vermont.
Case is the Large size made by Clinton Detweiler of Colorado.  Interior lining is red felt, covering foam interior for protection of figure.  This is a great, light weight case for the professional who drives to a show.  It's not the super heavy ATA case that you'd want if you're flying to a show.  For the local drive, it's perfect and so easy to carry vs. the 20 pound ATA cases where you need a forklift.  (OK, so I exaggerate a bit but not much !)
Case is mint per photo posted here.
Last, please see that I have some 700 transactions on ebay with 100% positive feedback so you can trust me as the seller.  I promise to treat you well as the customer.
Bidding rules:  Pay Pal or the new direct ebay payment options only.  Shipping will be .00 for Fed Ex ground to any destination in USA lower 48.  For international shipment, please use the ebay Global Shipping program.
If you have specific question, please use the ebay message system and I'll get back to you promptly.
Again, please look closely at photos and you will see everything is in mint condition.  This figure took about 9 months of communications/works to get this project completed.
Remember:  this is a one of a kind, and I have just the one.  Thanks for checking this out.