A SERIES OF STAMPS FEATURING CLASSIC COMEDIANS FROM YESTERYEAR

Last week, I published an article revolving around a series of stamps designed and illustrated by the American artist, Al Hirschfeld, featuring the stars of the silent screen (click here to check that out). But what I failed to mention in the aforementioned article is that a few years earlier (circa 1991), Al designed and illustrated another series of stamps, stamps featuring classic comedians from yesteryear. Want to know more? Then please have a look at this 👇.

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were a British-American comedy team whose joint career on film and on stage spanned from 1927 to 1955. The duo originally met while they were making the 1921 silent short, 'The Lucky Dog', but they didn't become an official team until 1927 when they starred in another silent short together, 'Putting Pants on Philip'. According to the director, Leo McCarey, their union began when Oliver accidentally injured himself while cooking a leg of lamb. In fact, his injury was so serious, that Oliver's role in a film he was starring in was notably decreased, which in turn, bolstered Stan's minor role in the exact same film (the rest, as they say, is history). Stan Laurel was born in Ulverston, England, on the 16th of June, 1890, and he died in Santa Monica, California, on the 23rd of February, 1965 (aged 74). Oliver Hardy, on the other hand, was born in Harlem, Georgia, on the 18th of January, 1892, and he died in Los Angeles, California, on the 7th of August, 1957 (aged 65).

Fanny Brice was an American comedian, illustrated song model, singer, and actress whose career on stage, radio, and film spanned from 1908 to 1951. She began her career at an early age when she dropped out of school to work in the burlesque revue, 'The Girls from Happy Land Starring Sliding Billy Watson', and then two years later, started her notable association with Florenz Ziegfeld by headlining his theatrical revue, the 'Ziegfeld Follies' (circa 1910 and 1911). For the last several years of her life, she created and starred in the top-rated radio comedy series in America, 'The Baby Snooks Show', where Fanny played a bratty toddler named Baby Snooks. Fanny Brice was born in Manhattan, New York City, on the 29th of October, 1891, and she died in Los Angeles, California, on the 29th of May, 1951 (aged 59).

Jack Benny was an American actor, comedian, and violinist whose career on stage, film, radio, and TV spanned from 1911 to 1974. He started his career by playing the violin in shows and gradually integrated comedic elements into his act. Eventually, Jack was mainly known as a comedian (rather than a serious musician), especially when he starred in his hit show, 'The Jack Benny Program', which ran from 1932 to 1955 on radio, and from 1950 to 1965 on TV. Jack Benny was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 14th of February, 1894, and he died in Los Angeles, California, on the 26th of December, 1974 (aged 80).

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were an American comedy double act whose joint career on stage, radio, film, and TV spanned from 1935 to 1957. Even though their paths crossed a few times previously, the two comedians first worked together at the Eltinge Theater (located on 42nd Street in New York City). This was because Lou's regular partner suddenly became ill and was temporarily replaced by Bud. Or so they thought, as from then on in, the two of them gradually built a permanent act together by refining and reworking numerous burlesque sketches (with Bud as the devious straight man and Lou as the dimwitted comic). Bud Abbott was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on the 2nd of October, 1897, and he died in Woodland Hills, California, on the 24th of April, 1974 (aged 76). Lou Costello, on the other hand, was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on the 6th of March, 1906, and he died in Beverly Hills, California, on the 3rd of March, 1959 (aged 52).

Edgar Bergen was an American ventriloquist, comedian, and actor whose career on stage, radio, TV, and film spanned from 1919 to 1978. Charlie McCarthy first joined his act when Edgar was 16 years old, but only after Edgar decided to learn ventriloquism. Initially, he did this by following the instructions printed inside a pamphlet entitled, 'The Wizard's Manual', prior to receiving regular lessons from the famous ventriloquist, Harry Lester. That's when he turned his attention to making his lifelong sidekick puppet, Charlie McCarthy. Edgar paid a woodcarver from Chicago, Theodore Mack, $36 to sculpt a head for Charlie (basing his likeness on a rascally red-headed Irish newspaper boy he knew), and then he created the body himself by using a broomstick for the backbone and rubber bands and cords to control the lower jaw mechanism of the mouth. Edgar Bergen was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 16th of February, 1903, and he died in Paradise, Nevada, on the 30th of September, 1978 (aged 75).

So, there you have it, folks, a series of stamps featuring classic comedians from yesteryear. Out of curiosity, which illustration is your favorite and why? Could it be the brave and bold depiction of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy? Or do you prefer the pretty parody of Fanny Brice? Either way, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.