''Collecting Laurel And Hardy''

It is not hard to recognize a picture of Laurel and Hardy, even when the artist is unskilled. That's because of their distinctive look and wardrobe, says film critic Leonard Maltin. His foreword appears in Danny Bacher and Bernie Hogya's book, Collecting Laurel And Hardy.

Stan and Oliver's likenesses are featured on all sorts of items--painted thimbles, wine holders, bookends, puppets, mugs, greeting cards, posters, and postcards. A German company even offered tea bags with an illustration of the entertainers.

There are also games, candles, sculptures, and paintings, such as a piece by artist/actor Don Barclay. It was given to Stan, who is depicted as a clown. On a toy harmonica, he's a musician, blowing a trumpet. He is accompanied by Hardy, who plays harmonica.

The most peculiar creations are hybrids, where they are half-human and half-animal. A resin figure includes porcine features, while in a Christmas ornament, their bodies resemble baby chickens'.

With over a thousand photos and reproductions of autographs and letters, the book is indeed ''a veritable museum in print,'' to quote Schiffer Publishing.