Description:

Larry Fine The Three Stooges
Woodland Hills, CA, December 3, 1973
Larry Fine x2 Signed ALS Promoting Controversial Memoir 'Stroke of Luck'
ALS

A 1p letter from Larry Fine of the Three Stooges to longtime fan and correspondent John Ewaniuk, Woodland Hills, CA, December 3, 1973. Twice signed, the first instance found within the text as '"Larry"', and the second at conclusion as "Larry Fine". Within, Larry references his 71st birthday the past October and offers information on his "as told by" memoir, adding instructions on how it can be acquired. Measuring 5.75" x 8". Accompanied by its original mailing envelope sent from the Motion Picture Country House. Together with a bonus Three Stooges greeting card, ca. 1980. Expected letter folds present, with light handling wear to envelope. Otherwise, near fine.

In full:

"You are so right. Richard Lamparski got his facts from Moe, but he did get my birthday right, even though he's got the wrong year. I was born Oct. 5, 1902. Moe was born June 19, 1897. He is five years older than me. My brother Moe looks ten years older than me, but he is 2 years younger. Before I forget, thanks for the birthday card, and I thought the cartoon was excellent. Now if you want the true facts about the 3 Stooges, I wrote a book called 'Stroke of Luck'. In it I try to answer all the questions I have been asked all these years. It also contains over 120 rare and collector item photos from our movies. It won't be sold in bookstores, but by mail only. So if you are interested, here's how you can buy it. Please send $7.95 in check or money order to 'Larry' P.O. Box 313 Hollywood, Calif. 90028. Thank you."

Toward the end of his life, Fine had retired to the Motion Picture Country House, where he spent his remaining years. By 1970 he had suffered a debilitating stroke that left one side of his body paralyzed, which ultimately marked the end of his performance career. Despite these health challenges, Fine completed his "as told by" autobiography 'Stroke of Luck', written by James Carone.

The book, self-published by Carone, did not have the benefit of a proper editor and notably contains many grammatical, historical, and picture caption errors. Fine comments on this in a later letter to Ewaniuk, postmarked March 25, 1975, stating "He [Carone] took the original script, which was typewritten, and copied it in long hand, made many errors, so he could claim he wrote the book, as I am handicapped." Nevertheless, the book presented Larry's life and career from his personal perspective, and provided Three Stooges fans with something they had yet to experience: a first-hand account of the group's history.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5.75" x 8"
  • Medium: ALS

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