Collecting Laurel and Hardy: Autographs, Posters, Toys, Dolls, Games, Trading Ca

<em>Collecting Laurel & Hardy</em> combines more than 1,000 full-color photos of artifacts with film history, fun stories, and painstaking research to create a veritable encyclopedia of Laurel and Hardy memorabilia--from Stan's perpetual desk calendar and Ollie's <em>Way Out West</em> pants, to rare lobby cards and original scripts, to figurines and games. Featuring even truly obscure items (such as Christmas ornaments depicting Laurel and Hardy dressed as baby chickens!), this book takes fans into the whimsical, wonderful, and often-hilarious world of collectibles that celebrate the popular comedic duo. <br /> <br /> Showcasing items from the priceless to the more affordable, chapters tackle the categories of autographs; props, wardrobe, and personal items; advertising and publicity; toys and games; figures; ceramics; books and comics; and so much more! There's even a chapter that discusses the international Sons of the Desert fan club, as well as museums around the world devoted to "the Boys." Special featurettes add to the fun by providing information on the iconic duo's experiences with fan correspondence, awards, magic, animation, lost films, and even their work with animals. Leading film critic and historian Leonard Maltin provides the foreword. <br /> <br /> Filled to the (bowler hat) brim with rare and desirable memorabilia, this book offers a tour through the world's largest assembly of Laurel and Hardy collectibles in one place, making it a veritable museum in prin