An 8" x 10" glossy black and white photograph of British actor Stan Laurel (1890-1965), inscribed, dated, and signed by him as "My kindest / regards always / Alice + Fred! / Very sincerely - / Stan Laurel. / '61." to the left. N.p., 1961. Expected wear including minor corner and edge wrinkling, and scattered superficial adhesive traces near the center, else near fine. Accompanied by a James Spence Authentication Letter of Authenticity, Submission Number 200180, dated January 21, 2020.

Stan Laurel was one half of the beloved comedic duo Laurel & Hardy. He sent this autographed photograph to Fred and Alice Beebe of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, who had requested it from the screen legend to add to a wall of their impressive home movie theater. In "Old Saybrook: A Main Street History" (Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, 2020), local historian Todd Levy recounts that Fred Beebe was an electrician, amateur filmmaker, and movie enthusiast. He and wife Alice renovated the basement of their home on 381 Main Street in Old Saybrook, creating a 12' x 35' x 10' home movie theatre, complete with a stage, stadium seating, separate entrance, marquee, and collection of autographed publicity photos of classic Hollywood stars. The couple welcomed guests to "Cinema 381," as they called their basement theatre, to watch classic movies, cartoons, and home movies. See the attached photos of the Beebes' home theatre.

Laurel and his partner, American actor Oliver Hardy (1892-1957), starred in over 100 silent, sound, short, and feature-length films after they officially paired in 1927, and reached their peak during the interwar years under contract with Hal Roach Studios. The pair excelled at slapstick comedy; routines generally entailed the 6'1" tall 280-lb Hardy walloping or verbally abusing Laurel, his thinner and smaller companion. The duo often wore trademark bowler hats.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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