ABBOTT & COSTELLO (LOU COSTELLO) - DOCUMENT SIGNED 10/24/1947 - HFSID 176143

LOU COSTELLO
Lou Costello signs a document saying that the IRS can have all his earnings from the productions 'Buck Privates Come Home', and 'Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap'.
Carbon Typed Document Signed: "Lou Costello" in ink, 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1947 October 24. In letter form to Universal International Pictures, Inc. In part: "I hereby assign to the Collector of Internal Revenue any and all moneys and/or interests now due, or which may become due me in the future from the productions entitled: 'Buck Privates Come Home', and 'Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap', to the extent of...$111,687.11 plus interest at the rate of six per cent...." Buck Privates Come Home, was released in March and The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap, was released on October 8, 1947, just two weeks before Costello signed this document. With partner BUD ABBOTT, COSTELLO (1906-1959) formed one of the greatest comedy teams in the history of show business. They mastered the straight man/clown relationship, creating a magical chemistry that took them from vaudeville and burlesque to radio, Broadway, film and television. The Abbott & Costello Show aired on radio on ABC from 1941-1946 and on NBC from 1946-1949. Abbott and Costello were also guest hosts of NBC's hour-long live variety show, The Colgate Comedy Hour, seven times between 1951-1954. Their "Who's on First?" routine is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Abbott and Costello split up in 1957 after troubles with the Internal Revenue Service left both men broke. Lightly creased. Staple holes at upper left corner. Fine condition.