Detweiler figure

Here's another of my works, an early one from my figuremaking career, owned by Bill Matthews.   I would guess I built this figure about 1969 or '70, and he appears to have been handled with care for all this time.  I sometimes used a woodburning tool to etch the date and/or a registry number on headposts, but not all had this feature.  I note (with a smile) he is still wearing one of the "Dummy Buttons" we created and sold 30 or so years ago!

What's even more exciting for me personally is to learn from Bill that he is now going through his Maher Course with his son, with the intent that this figure, "Larry Lack-O-Witz", will some day be handed down to his son!
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Update from Bill:  On his headpost it has etched, "198, Maher '72." I purchased the button because I do primarily Gospel Ventriloquism and when I'm in a group or out in public someone always mentions it and gives me an open door to share the Gospel. I also have one of the custom padded cases by Clinton for him. I want to take good care of Larry for years to come so when I "retire" my son, Stephen, can take up the mantle (who, BTW, is really enjoying learning the art with HIS little pal, Buddy, which I upgraded myself from a Willie Talk doll following the plans in the Maher Course).
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Comment from Wes Green:  Thanks for success stories which serve as a great encouragement. I so admire the commitment you evidence to the art of Ventriloquism. I think secretly that is an ultimate dream to have someone else say what you may only think. Knowing that statement could be construed in a possible negative vein, I would add that all communication is tempered with what should be verbalized in the first place. Thanks so much for giving us the tools to proclaim a message that brings people enjoyable thoughts and hopefully eternal life. Blessings.