A large archive of original handwritten sheet music, over 200 pp. total, for songs from the stage shows of the beloved comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Undated [ca. 1940–1954], and in various hands, some stamped by arrangers/copyists Harold G. Lindoft, Norman G. Burlingame, and Carlton Kelsey. The collection comprises fairly complete sets of orchestral parts for numbers including the "Fanfare and Opening" from one of their shows, "Jitter Conga," "Merry Oldsmobile," "We Know All the Answers," and "Cupid is a Stinker," as well as a large number of unsorted orchestral parts for "Laugh at Troubles," "Lazy Moon," "Ferry Boat Serenade," "Chrysanthemum," "Policeman's Waltz," and other songs. Also included are 9 folders containing parts used by string players, labeled on the cover of each with the clipped text "Laurel and Hardy" and a clipped color image of the comedians, and containing string parts copied in various different hands for several short numbers: "Ginger You're Balmy," "Nuts in May," "I'm Cuckoo," "Jolly Good Fellow," "Cock Robin," and other music to be played "according to [stage] business." The parts are in good condition overall, some with toning and toned tape repairs, and with extensive markings from use, including annotations, added musical excerpts, taped-on additional pieces of music, etc. Each page ca. 9 x 12.5 inches. A remarkable archive.

The instrumentation of the complete sets as follows:

Fanfare and Opening/Laugh at Troubles (stamped by Norman G. Burlingame): 1st E flat Alto-Clar; 2nd E flat Alto; 1st B flat tenor; 2nd Tenor; 1st Trumpet; 2nd Trumpet; 3rd Trumpet; 1st Trombone; 2nd Trombone; Piano; Conductor/Violin; Violins A-B; Violin C; Guitar; Bass; Drums.

Merry Oldsmobile (stamped by Harold G. Lindoft and dated August 15, 1940): 1st E flat Sax; 2nd E flat Sax; 3rd B flat Sax; 4th B flat Sax; Drums; 1st B flat Trumpet; 2nd B flat Trumpet; 3rd B flat Trumpet; 1st Trombone; 2nd Trombone; A-Violins (2x); B-Violins (2x); Bass; Guitar; Piano; Conductor.

We Know All the Answers (stamped by Norman G. Burlingame; with printed score to the song "Tonight you bring a glimpse of Paradise" pasted in): 1st Trumpet; 2nd Trumpet; 3rd Trumpet; 1st Trombone; 2nd Trombone; 1st E flat Alto-Clar; 2nd E flat Alto-Clar; 1st B flat Tenor-Clar; 1st E flat Alto Sax / Clar; 2nd B flat Tenor; Drums; Conductor/Violin; Violins A-B; Violin C; Bass; Guitar; Piano.

Cupid is a Stinker (stamped by Norman G. Burlingame): 1st Trumpet; 2nd Trumpet; 3rd Trumpet; 1st B flat Tenor-Clar; 2nd B flat Tenor; 2nd E flat Alto-Clar; 1st Trombone; 2nd Trombone; Piano; Conductor/Violin; Violins A-B; Violin C; Guitar; Bass; Drums.

Jitter Conga (stamped by Norman G. Burlingame): 1st E flat Alto; 2nd E flat Sax; 1st B flat Tenor; 2nd B flat Tenor + Shakers; 1st Trumpet; 3rd Trumpet + Scraper; 2nd Trombone + Claves; Piano; Conductor; Violins A-B; Violin C; Bass; Drums; and one other unmarked part in pencil in another hand.

Ginger You're Balmy-Nuts in May-I'm Cuckoo-Jolly Good Fellow-Cock Robin-Hurry Music-Fanfare-Cuckoo-Nuts in May (copied in various hands, each part enclosed in a folder; some also include Lazy Moon): one set of 1st Violin, 2nd Violin, 3rd Violin, Viola, and Cello, and one set of Violin A, Violin C, Viola, and Cello.

From the personal collection of Cassidy Cook, Stan Laurel's great-granddaughter.

Composed of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957), the duo became well known during the late 1920s to the mid-1940s for their slapstick comedy, with Laurel playing the clumsy and childlike friend of the pompous bully Hardy. They appeared as a team in 107 films, starring in 32 short silent films, 40 short sound films, and 23 full-length feature films. After finishing their movie commitments at the end of 1944, they concentrated on performing in stage shows and embarked on a music hall tour of England, Ireland, and Scotland. This final tour was difficult, as they often performed to half-empty theatres, with Hardy's failing health an anxiety. The tour came to a sudden end when Hardy suffered a heart attack in May 1954.