Extremely rare 8x10-inch black and white portrait by Melbourne Spurr, boldly signed and inscribed in blue fountain pen to a musician friend, apparently as a Christmas gift just a few years before his tragic death: "To Jack, / the banjo tickler / May you[r] g. strings / last a long time. / Sincerely, Roscoe Arbuckle / Dec. 24 / 1927." In fine condition for its age, with one minor scuff to the lower right-hand area, a few minor creases, and thin borders that do not appear to have been trimmed. Rotund silent comedy star Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle began his career at the Selig Polyscope Company and eventually moved to Keystone Studios, where he worked alongside Mabel Normand, Harold Lloyd and Al "Fuzzy" St. John. He was also the mentor to Charlie Chaplin, and discovered Buster Keaton and Bob Hope. His career collapsed when he was accused of sexually assaulting and murdering actress Virginia Rappe in 1921.

• Tweet