The New Vent-O-Gram. International Ventriloquists’ Association; 8 Issues, 1970-1971

Ed. John Osborne. 8 issues total: Volume 1, Number 2 (July-August 1970), Number 3 (September-October 1970), Number 4 (November-December 1970), Number 5 (January-February 1971), Number 6 (March-April 1971), Volume 2, Number 1 (May-June 1971), Number 2 (July-August 1971), and the 1970 IVA Directory. Mimeographed, all stapled at top left corner with the exception of Vol. 2 No. 2 (side-stapled), each issue ranging from 30-42 pp. About half have heavier cardstock covers. One loose sheet advertising “Custom Carrying Cases.” Laid in is a 1971-1972 International Ventriloquists’ Association (headquarters in Joliet, Illinois) Membership Dues reminder filled out by James Stukel, Secretary and Treasurer, to a Dr. Truzzi of Ann Arbor, Michigan. VG+ with some assorted wear. 
 
Each issue contains articles, announcements, reviews, and notices of importance to the ventriloquist community as well as several pages of advertisements at rear. Contents include sections on writing your own material, Editorials, Vent-a-Toons, dialogues and routines for production, promotion of and reflection on Vent-O-Ramas, installments from a Master’s Thesis on ventriloquism in America, and an interesting reference to Sesame Street, which launched in 1969 (“Sesame Street is the new rage”). 
 
The original Vent-O-Gram was published from 1963-1969 by Gregory and Walter Berlin of Seattle, WA, who later founded the International Ventriloquists’ Association in 1968 (it folded in the early 1970s). The New Vent-O-Gram was launched in 1970 under the leadership of John Osborne and Jim Stukel—our research points to it ceasing publication in late 1971 or 1972.
 
Only two institutional holdings (Maryland and Alberta, which lists 10 issues through Volume 2 Number 4 1971). No issues in commerce.
 
An intriguing, incomplete run of this short-lived ventriloquist magazine. Item #825

Price: $250.00