Publisher's Synopsis
A celebration of the legendary comedy duo of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy through collectibles and memorabilia, this definitive (and humorous) book features more than 1,000 full-color images of items, plus the stories and history behind them. Foreword by Leonard Maltin Collecting Laurel & Hardy 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 Way Out West 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. 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. 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 print and the ultimate tribute to one of Hollywood's most beloved comedy teams. Companion website with additional content and information is available at https://collectinglaurelandhardy.com. Praise for Collecting Laurel & Hardy: "Astonishingly comprehensive, the magnificent Collecting Laurel & Hardy is essential reading for any devotee of Stan & Ollie. Filled with priceless photos, anecdotes, memorabilia, and a detailed history, it's like having a virtual museum of the Boys between the covers of one book. Thank you, Danny Bacher and Bernie Hogya!" —Mark Hamill, actor and Star Wars icon "A joyous and comprehensive addition to our world of Stan and Ollie." —Robert Klein, Grammy and Tony Award-winning comedian and actor "There's no Laurel and Hardy book like this, and it's terrific, so much fun to browse. Any serious fan has to have it, and even casual fans will discover many happy hours exploring the incredible array of collectibles related to cinema's best-loved comedy team." —Richard W. Bann, leading Laurel and Hardy expert and author of The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang "A treasure trove in the truest sense of the word. From nearly every facet of ephemera, this thoughtfully prepared and passionate love letter offers substantial proof that Laurel and Hardy were among the most popular personalities on the planet. A book that every fan will return to again and again." —Stan Taffel, film historian, author, and Emmy-winning archivist "I've collected Laurel and Hardy memorabilia since I was five years old in 1964, but Danny and Bernie have found all sorts of treasures from around the world that I've never seen before! ... A must-have for everyone who loves Stan and Ollie." —Randy Skretvedt, author of Laurel & Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies.
