WHAT'S ON STAN'S DESK? — PART ONE

In this first of a series of articles on "What's On Stan's Desk?", we look at three items. Two of them are pictured quite clearly in the photo above (his portable radio and fountain pen set), while a third item (a gift ashtray from This Is Your Life host Ralph Edwards) probably found its way onto a table in the living room or as part of a collection of mementos in Stan's Santa Monica apartment.
 

STAN'S FOUNTAIN PEN DESK SET

I don't think I have ever seen a Stan Laurel signature not signed in fountain pen. Biro produced the first successful ballpoint pens in 1940 for the RAF in Great Britain. They were introduced into the United States in 1945 and by the mid-1950s were ubiquitous worldwide. It seems like everyone was using them…everyone, except Stan. He stuck with his trusty fountain pen—carefully filling it with ink and not minding the moment or two it took for the ink to dry before sealing a signed letter into an envelope or handing an autograph to an admiring fan.

This Parker 51 desk pen set was the gift of "Vera & Walter." An engraved brass plaque rests atop the marble base of the pen set saying: "To Stan with fondest wishes from Vera & Walter—1961." The Parker 51 went into production in 1941, and remained a best-seller for decades thereafter. Perhaps no other fountain pen has been so unanimously acclaimed as a classic. Nor is it merely a triumph of styling—though it has a place in the Museum of Modern Art's design collection—for it is also one of the most robust and practical writing instruments ever made.

This particular model sports a patented Parker "Magnetix" pen stand. The round indent at the center of the metal plaque is magnetized, which allows the pen holder to pivot when placed into the indent, allowing users to customize the angle that the pen sits in its holder.
 

STAN'S PORTABLE RADIO

Sitting atop Stan's desk, just behind his main work area, was a portable all-tube model Motorola radio. Affixed to the front of the housing was a Dymo label, upon which Stan had imprinted his name.

The radio, a Motorola Model SP31, was first advertised by the company in 1957 as a portable unit with a new innovation: the handle was its antenna. The ad below, which ran in national magazines and newspapers that year, may have convinced Stan to purchase this particular model.

The copy for the ad reads: "The handle is a Rotating Antenna—turns like radar to sweep in distant stations other sets can't reach. "Only Motorola Portables have the Roto-tenna…and the lifetime PLAcir chassis that can't short or burn out—ever! "Only Motorola has unbreakable metal cases (not plastic)—covered with multicolor miracle fabrics in modern textures. "Only Motorola combines modern, tapered styling with rich "Golden Voice" tone and split-second warm-ups (on AC, DC or batteries). "No wonder more people buy Motorola portables than any other kind!" The CORSAIR (Model SP31) was available in Grey Tweed miracle fabric with Maroon trim for (just) $31.95. How much would $31.95 in 1957 dollars buy you now? A little over $200. Hopefully, Stan found enough good listening while he worked at his desk to make the high cost for this radio worth the price he paid.

 
STAN'S GIFT ASHTRAY FROM RALPH EDWARDS

This smoked-glass ashtray was a Christmas gift from Ralph Edwards to Stan. In a letter to Edwards dated December 15, 1954, Stan wrote: "I am really at a loss for words Ralph, to fully express my thanks for the wonderful tribute you paid us, but do want you to know we felt deeply honored & sincerely appreciated your kind thoughts, deeds & wishes, & are very grateful for the very happy memory. Please convey to your wonderful Staff our admiration for their thorough efficiency & thanks for the extreme courtesy extended us."

On December 1, 1954, Ralph Edwards of television's This Is Your Life, surprised The Boys who were lured to the Knickerbocker Hotel for what they were led to believe was a meeting with producer Bernard Delfont. Instead, they were whisked onto the live television program, where Mr. Edwards told their life story and introduced them to guests from their past.

In a letter dated just two months before appearing on the program himself, Stan mentioned being a fan of This Is Your Life saying: "I never miss this show, you certainly see the heartbreaks behind the footlights & the tragedies in show [business]." Stan wrote the following year that he felt the program in which he and Babe appeared was "a bit disappointing in the fact that there wasn't enough time to devote on two lives at one time, so nothing of interest was brought out, and what was divulged didn't mean a thing to anybody!"
 

In the next installment of "What's On Stan's Desk?", we'll take a look at Stan's typewriter, prized ship's clock and a unique piece of memorabilia that may provide clues to an unfilmed role for Stan and Babe.