Highly rare, uncommonly early 10x8-inch sepia-tone portrait, individually signed in black fountain pen by Bud Abbott, who inscribes to the recipient, and Lou Costello. The piece comes from a collection dating to the late 1930s, predating their first movie appearance in 1940, and shows the forms of their writing associated with that period. It was sold by the much-trusted dealership Golden Age Autographs some years ago. A minor crinkle to the upper left-hand corner tip and a thin lower border; otherwise, in good condition and excellent for display. Bud Abbott and fellow funnyman Lou Costello starred in a series of horror, fantasy and sci-fi-themed comedies at Universal, including Hold That Ghost (1941), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949), Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953), Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953), and Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955).

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