FRED A. STONE - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 326870

FRED A. STONE
Rare youthful photograph of Fred Stone shown in cowboy getup, signed, "Yours very truly."
Photograph signed "Yours very truly/Fred Stone.", in black ink. Sepia, 7½x9½. Actor and entertainer Fred Stone (1873-1959) got his start in show biz at age 10, acting in a tightrope act with his brother, and worked his way through vaudeville and minstrel shows to an acting career that spanned almost 60 years. Stone had 18 acting credits on Broadway between 1901 and 1945, mostly in comedies and musical extravaganzas, including the role of the Scarecrow in the original Broadway production of The Wizard of Oz in 1903. He was especially known for his on-stage partnership with David C. Montgomery, which lasted over two decades until Montgomery's death in 1917 and included a show-stealing performance in the operetta The Red Mill (1906-1907). Stone also had almost 20 movie credits between 1915 and 1940, including a starring role in the Katherine Hepburn movie Alice Adams (1935). His movie credits include attempts by RKO to make him the next Will Rogers, one of his friends, after Roger's death in 1935, but most of these are unfortunately pretty forgettable films. Corners and edges worn with creases. Minor surface creases throughout. Printing defect at right side of nose, very faint. Lightly toned. Pencil note (unknown hand) on verso. Otherwise, fine condition.