A comprehensive and extensive collection of approximately 150 pieces (and then some) of detailed correspondence; sent between 1955 and 1960 by the legendary comedian to a young fan from Montreal, Canada named George McRae; comprising letters and index cards either penned in fountain pen ink by Laurel or typed and then signed by him in fountain pen ink, a few still have their original transmittal envelopes (though most do not), rendered on an assorted collection of Laurel's personalized notepaper from his various residences including his Franklin Street home in Santa Monica, his Malibu Road residence in Malibu, and his Ocean Avenue apartment, [The Oceana] in Santa Monica - his famous last residence where he graciously opened his front door to (mostly young) fans from all over the world who tracked him down there.

Laurel's letters are usually topical, newsy, and friendly in content, referencing his day-to-day activities and/or giving his young pen-pal advice, however, there are also a number of great mentions and anecdotes interspersed throughout the 150+ letters; just a few people he references include (in alphabetical order): Steve Allen, Charlie Chaplin, James Dean, Jackie Gleason, Adolph Hitler, Jerry Lewis, Jack Paar, Sugar Ray Robinson, the Royal Family, the Silent Era, Erich von Stroheim, Mike Wallace, and of course, Oliver Hardy, to name just a few.

There are way too many letters to outline in detail here, but a few standout musings include: 1) a May 17, 1957 note reads in part "Sorry to say about Oliver, is about the same, no change or improvement. Poor fellow, it’s very distressing"; 2) a February 11, 1957 note reads in part “Regarding your thought of starting a L&H fan club, I have no objections whatsoever, but frankly George, I think you would be wasting a lot of valuable time & energy, plus the expense of running same…why try and create a following for something of the past…I am afraid it would be foolish”; 3) a 1957 note reads in part ”There are many, many people, George, who don't care for L&H - that's quite natural, it's not that they don't like comedy, it's just our style of humor doesn't appeal to them”; and 4) a March 5, 1958 note reads in part “I have lived my life with one Golden Rule: Do Unto Others and You would Have Them Do Unto You. Having followed this simple rule, it has served me well & without any regrets, so have never felt it necessary to join any organization in hopes of going to Heaven”; please know this small sample just scratches the surface of the wonderful content in Laurel's five-year trove of correspondence.

Also included are three black and white or color snapshots [two of a 1950s-era Laurel, one of his house [on Franklin Street in S.M.], and two small (3.5x5.5) black and white photographs signed in blue fountain pen ink by Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy [one dated “1945”].

Sadly, the letters end in 1960, though Stan Laurel would live five more years - perhaps because the young Mr. McRae was growing up and moving away from “childish things,” or perhaps Mr. Laurel was getting tired of keeping up with his young fans - who knows? – but thankfully the record of this deep, five-year friendship between star and fan still exists for us to enjoy, 66 years later. 

This collection was consigned directly by the family members of George McRae.

Overall: 15 x 11 x 1 in; 38.1 x 27.94 x 2.54 cm

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