ARTHUR ASKEY - AUTOGRAPH - HFSID 146775

ARTHUR ASKEY
Slip of paper signed by the comedian, affixed to an album leaf with a small b/w printed photo of Askey in a striped suit and tie affixed
Signature(s): "Arthur Askey" in blue ink. Black ink notations on leaf in unknown hand. 4x2 signature on 6½x5¼ album leaf with rounded right corners. B/w 1¾x2½ printed photo of Askey affixed to leaf. Words like "silly" and "anarchic" have been used to describe short stuff British comedian Askey (1900-1982). He got his start in Great Britain's music halls in 1924 and hit the big time in 1938, when he appeared in the radio show Band Waggon. Askey was originally signed on Band Waggon as a performer, but the show was cancelled after three weeks, and he and Richard Murdoch had the chance to do basically whatever they wanted in the time slot while a replacement was found. The two turned the show and its fortunes around, and it lasted until 1940. Askey had acting credits in over 20 movies and TV shows between 1937 and 1982, with starring roles in I Thank You (1941) and Make Mine a Million (1959) and a recurring role as Bill Brown in Love and Kisses (1955); he also hosted his own variety show, Before Your Very Eyes (1955-1957), named after one of his catchphrases. He was also a recording artist and performed as a pantomime dame into the 1970s, curtailing the latter only when his legs were amputated due to poor circulation. Lightly toned, stained, soiled and creased. Paper with signature is lightly discolored. Photo has paper loss at bottom edge. Leaf was torn from binding at left edge. Light tear at top edge. Light nicks in right and bottom edges. Otherwise, fine condition.