Description:

Stan Laurel
Beverly Hills, CA, February 18, 1932
Stan Laurel Check Made Out to Doctor During Filming of "County Hospital"
Signed check

A signed check by Stan Laurel during the filming of the Laurel and Hardy short, "County Hospital." Measuring 8.25" x 3.25", Beverly Hills, dated February 18, 1932. A printed check, No. 281, drawn on the California Bank with a payment of $100 made out to Arthur E. Guedel, M.D. Signed "Stan Laurel" and endorsed by Guedel on the verso. With bank cancellation punches at the center. One flattened fold. Staining at the upper, left, and right edges. Boldly signed, overall very good. The check is accompanied by an 8" x 12" black and white photograph of Laurel.

This check was made out to Arthur Guedel (1883-1956), an early and prominent anesthesiologist, known for his studies on the uptake and distribution of inhalational anesthetics, as well for defining the various stages of general anesthesia. In the late 1920s, he established himself in Beverly Hills, and began experimenting with developing a cuffed endotracheal airway. It was perhaps while working in Los Angeles that Guedel became acquainted with Stan Laurel, who was filming "County Hospital." The 1932 short film saw Hardy laid up in bed with a broken leg, with Laurel coming to visit him and accidentally getting him kicked out of the hospital. Filming took place between February 15-25, and the film was released on June 25, 1932. Although we cannot find any record of the reason for Laurel's payment to Guedel, perhaps the pair met during the production of the film.

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: Check: 8 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. (21 x 8.3 cm.), Photo: 8 x 12 in. (20.3 x 30.5 cm.)
  • Medium: Signed check

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July 16, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000