American Toby Jug Museum 

Kings of Comedy toby jug modeled by Andy Moss and produced by Kevin Francis Ceramics of Stoke-on-Trent, England, in a 1994 Guild issue. Known as the Kings of Comedy, the comedic team of Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel were probably the most popular comedy team in motion-picture history. Oliver Norvell Hardy (1892-1957) was born in Harlem, Georgia, and Stan Laurel (1890-1964) was born in Ulverson, England. The thin Laurel and rotund Hardy became a team in 1927. Their typical routine involved a simple set-up, which is then complicated by their zany antics. Their films are marked by expert pantomime, well-defined character and special care taken with props. They appeared in shorts until 1935 and in features until 1951. Their best-known films included the Academy Award-winning "The Music Box" (1933), "Fra Diavolo" (1933), "Sons of the Desert" (1934) and "Way Our West" (1937). This toby jug features Hardy sitting on a steamer trunk pondering the latest mess the two find themselves immersed in, with Laurel forming the handle of the jug.