Michael Lehr Antiques
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June Auction

Wed, Jun 17, 2026 12:00PM EDT
  2026-06-17 12:00:00 2026-06-17 12:00:00 America/New_York Michael Lehr Michael Lehr : June Auction https://auction.michaellehrantiques.com/auctions/michael-lehr-antiques/june-auction-23036
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Lot 519

Printed Postcard Jimmie Ruth and Rusty Child Evangelism Gospel Music Cuyahoga Falls

Estimate: $50 - $1,000
Starting Bid
$10

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
Printed postcard for the act Jimmie Ruth and Rusty, identified on the reverse as child evangelism, vocal and instrumental gospel music, with a contact address for Mrs. Lorne Matthews at 353 Morrison Avenue, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221. The front features a color photograph of a female performer with a ventriloquist dummy figure named Rusty in a warm close portrait composition. This card represents a distinct and specialized category within ventriloquist promotional ephemera, in which the dummy act is deployed specifically in the context of religious and evangelical children's ministry rather than secular variety entertainment. Gospel ventriloquist acts targeting church audiences and Sunday school programs were an established format in mid-twentieth century American evangelical culture, and this card is a well-documented example of that tradition. The front bears the printed text: Printed color photograph of Jimmie Ruth with Rusty dummy. The reverse reads: Printed POST CARD reverse identifying Jimmie Ruth and Rusty, Child Evangelism, Vocal and Instrumental Gospel Music, Mrs. Lorne Matthews, 353 Morrison Avenue, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221.

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