Fred Stone piece

I really believe that are times you have to be in the right at the right time and that the planets align and you come across a remarkable piece. That has happened for me after 2 years of Ebay watching I came across the only signed 8 x10 photograph of Fred Stone. Of course those who are die hard Oz fans will recgnize his name immediately as that of the first person to play the scarecrow.

There has been only one other Fred Stone signed piece that I am aware of with a Ray Bolger autogrpah as well that are "cuts" and the seller wants $1,200 for both with 8x 10's of both that is matted and framed. I really lucked out on this buy as I only paid $40. Again the right place, the right time and then having the money to buy.

1873–1959), comic actor. Born in Valmont, Colorado, he was raised in Topeka and, with his brother, joined a circus as an acrobat for several years. While a member of Haverly's minstrels he met Dave [David Craig] MONTGOMERY (1870–1917) , a native of St. Joseph, Missouri. When the minstrel troupe was disbanded, the pair went into vaudeville as grotesquely made up acrobatic clowns. Their first Broadway appearance was in "The Girl from Up There" (1901).

Subsequently they starred in "The Wizard of Oz" (1903), "The Red Mill" (1906), "The Old Town" (1910), "The Lady of the Slipper" (1912), and "Chin Chin" (1914). By the time of Montgomery's death they were indisputably America's most popular musical comedy team.

On his own, Stone appeared in "Jack o' Lantern (1917), "Tip Top" (1920), "Stepping Stones" (1923), "Criss Cross" (1926), "Ripples" (1930), and "Smiling Faces" (1932). All but the last two were huge hits. Later he appeared with only small success in a number of straight plays. Whether alone or with Montgomery, much of Stone's humor came from his comic acrobatics. His wife, Allene Crater, and daughter Dorothy were also popular performers.