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Laurel pen pal letters to be sold Laurel pen pal letters to be sold
(about 13 hours later)
Personal letters sent by comedy legend Stan Laurel to a Scottish housewife who became his long-term pen pal and confidante are to be sold at auction.Personal letters sent by comedy legend Stan Laurel to a Scottish housewife who became his long-term pen pal and confidante are to be sold at auction.
Edinburgh-based Walterina Hunter first wrote a fan letter to Laurel, who lived in Glasgow as a teenager, in 1952.Edinburgh-based Walterina Hunter first wrote a fan letter to Laurel, who lived in Glasgow as a teenager, in 1952.
For 10 years they exchanged letters discussing everything from the weather to Laurel's poor health and the death of his comedy partner Oliver Hardy.For 10 years they exchanged letters discussing everything from the weather to Laurel's poor health and the death of his comedy partner Oliver Hardy.
Mrs Hunter's collection of letters and pictures is expected to fetch £2,000.Mrs Hunter's collection of letters and pictures is expected to fetch £2,000.
Among the bundle there are 18 letters and three photographs, most of which were signed by Laurel, with one photograph also signed by Hardy.Among the bundle there are 18 letters and three photographs, most of which were signed by Laurel, with one photograph also signed by Hardy.
The letters are written on headed notepaper from luxurious hotels where the comedian was staying while on tour, with others on Laurel's own paper from his California home.The letters are written on headed notepaper from luxurious hotels where the comedian was staying while on tour, with others on Laurel's own paper from his California home.
I don't visit the studios anymore because I don't know anyone there and would feel like a stranger Stan LaurelIn letter to Walterina HunterI don't visit the studios anymore because I don't know anyone there and would feel like a stranger Stan LaurelIn letter to Walterina Hunter
Several of the earlier letters discuss Hardy's illness and, finally, in August 1957, his death.Several of the earlier letters discuss Hardy's illness and, finally, in August 1957, his death.
Laurel wrote to Mrs Hunter soon afterwards: "I naturally was very upset over the death of my dear friend & partner & the reason I didn't attend the funeral services was that my Dr. advised me not to go..."Laurel wrote to Mrs Hunter soon afterwards: "I naturally was very upset over the death of my dear friend & partner & the reason I didn't attend the funeral services was that my Dr. advised me not to go..."
English-born Laurel suffered a nervous breakdown after Hardy's death, and later confided in one of the letters: "I don't visit the studios anymore because I don't know anyone there and would feel like a stranger."English-born Laurel suffered a nervous breakdown after Hardy's death, and later confided in one of the letters: "I don't visit the studios anymore because I don't know anyone there and would feel like a stranger."
Alex Dove, book specialist at auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull, said the correspondence between the pair progressed to something for more personal than the usual star-fan relationship. Alex Dove, book specialist at auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull, said the correspondence between the pair progressed to something far more personal than the usual star-fan relationship.
Met onceMet once
She said: "He discusses everything from his illness to his trips around America, moving house his partnership with Oliver Hardy and the gifts that he and Mrs Hunter sent backwards and forwards to each other.She said: "He discusses everything from his illness to his trips around America, moving house his partnership with Oliver Hardy and the gifts that he and Mrs Hunter sent backwards and forwards to each other.
"Quite a friendship was built up and that was reflected in the content of the letters. He made a lot of time to sit down and write to her wherever he was.""Quite a friendship was built up and that was reflected in the content of the letters. He made a lot of time to sit down and write to her wherever he was."
The pair only met once, in 1954, when Laurel and Hardy toured the UK and sent tickets to Mrs Hunter for their Edinburgh performance. Their correspondence only ended in 1962, three year's before Laurel's death. The pair only met once, in 1954, when Laurel and Hardy toured the UK and sent tickets to Mrs Hunter for their Edinburgh performance. Their correspondence only ended in 1962, three years before Laurel's death.
The collection will be auctioned later on Wednesday at Lyon and Turnbull's Edinburgh auction rooms.The collection will be auctioned later on Wednesday at Lyon and Turnbull's Edinburgh auction rooms.