A professional Ventriloquists ‘Talking Shoe’ dummy. Made for the performer Jack Beckett, by the theatrical prop maker Peter Pullon around 1980. Beckitts talking shoes were his stage gimmick until this shoe inspired the full size figure ‘Willy Drinkall’. Beckitt performed at the London Palladium in London and was well known as a variety act. The shoe is fairly fragile having had a buoyant stage career and has a few paint chips, loose teeth and a lever missing for the mouth operation. Great as an inspiring exhibition piece but should probably remain retired from full time performance. The shoe comes with a copy of Jacks autobiography which describes the shoe and Jacks star studded career. Price: £380 – including UK post (USA and Europe postage extra £38)