Up for sale is a fascinating vintage tribute oil portrait of Charlie McCarthy, the legendary ventriloquist puppet created by Edgar Bergen. This piece features a wonderful "creepy-cool" aesthetic and was originally owned by a working magician, making it a fantastic addition to any magic history, theatrical, or oddities collection.
The Illusion / Gimmick:
Unlike a standard flat 2D painting, this is a physical stage prop. The eye sockets have been physically cut out of the canvas, and the painted eyes sit on a recessed layer slightly behind the surface. This creates a highly effective "haunted, following-gaze" illusion. As you walk past the portrait, the depth of the cutout forces the perspective to shift, making it appear as though Charlie's eyes are physically tracking you around the room without any batteries or mechanical parts.
Condition Report:
• Paint Layer: The painting exhibits visible age-related craquelure (fine cracking) across the surface. The paint is currently stable but shows this authentic weathering, which heavily enhances its vintage, haunted parlor vibe. Please see photos there is one spot where the paint has come off. I am pricing accordingly.
• Frame: It comes housed in a heavy, ornate, vintage-style gold-painted frame that perfectly complements the sideshow/theatrical look.
• Backing: The back of the frame is sealed.
Please review all the photos closely to view the surface cracking and construction. It is a brilliant conversation piece, a rare performance gimmick, and a wonderful slice of novelty magic history!
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