S Poddar
A golden era in British comedy history is set to come to a close with tomorrow’s sale of items belonging to entertainer Eric Morecambe. The highly personal collection was found in Morecambe’s former home in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and has been left untouched for decades. With the death of his wife, Joan, who passed away in March at 97, these invaluable memorabilia will now be sent to fans, giving people a glimpse of the life of one of Britain’s most-loved comedians. Eric Morecambe died in 1984 at 58. His partner Ernie Wise died in 1999 at 73. They entertained millions together and are now icons of British entertainment as long-lived memories. It is going to be sold by auction house Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire, sourced from 700 lots in January, over 40 years since Morecambe’s death.
The treasures consist of costumes from unforgettable sketches and props, such as Eric’s ventriloquist dummy, Charlie, and keepsakes so deeply personal. Victoria Sheppard, the sale manager for Hansons, described the discovery as “truly magical” while referring to Morecambe’s home, Brachefield, as a “shrine” to his remarkable life and career. “We’ve found costumes from memorable sketches and countless props, including Eric’s famous ventriloquist dummy,” said Sheppard.
All these are going to be on sale – from Morecambe’s signature glasses, to the piano upon which he used to practice, through to a portrait by royal artist Richard Stone and annotated joke books. The lots will include telegrams from the late Prince Philip, letters from Margaret Thatcher, and notes by comedy greats like Ronnie Barker and Tommy Cooper.
For Morecambe’s youngsters-Gail, Gary and Steven-the sale is both bittersweet and momentous. To 71-year-old Gail Stuart, it marks a much emotional milestone: the past year has been one in which she says there has been much reflection and nostalgia. “It’s been an interesting year, with a real sense of it being the end of an era,” she said.
Gary Morecambe, 58, said: “It’s really the end of that chapter for our family’s life. For Gail and I at least, it began in the 1950s. Seeing these items find new homes marks a definitive end to that wonderful era,” he said.
What makes the auction even more significant, Gary revealed, is that Joan Morecambe left the family home largely untouched after Eric’s death. “We’ve had everything literally under the same roof for 56 years. It’s as though time stood still,” he remarked.
A Glimpse Beyond the Comedian
While the world recalls Eric Morecambe as a comedic genius, his children brought out multifaceted personality. “When thinking about my father, it’s always easy to focus on the great comedian he was. But he was also a home-loving man with a deep passion for the natural world,” Gary said. For Gail, her childhood memories are vivid and cherished.
“And more than that, because they were so kind, humble, and family-oriented in values.” She described her upbringing as a time filled with joy and inspiration. “Both had great gifts and devoted their lives to family,” she said. “All my memories are in glorious Technicolor. Growing up, we shared Dad with the British people, the amazing fans.”. It was only when he died that I realized how much the nation really loved him and Morecambe and Wise.” A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
It promises to be treasure for comedy enthusiasts and collectors in store. Along with memorabilia from Morecambe’s professional career are deeply personal letters, such as a moving message from Ernie Wise that shows how close the pair came to splitting up-an eventuality that happily never occurred.
The auction will take place on January 10 and 11; the catalogue of the auction, however, will be available from December 1. So, fans of Eric Morecambe and his eternal legacy in comedy will have a chance to buy a piece of history to preserve the magic of an entertainer who brought laughter and smiles to generations.
As the belongings move from the family’s cherished collection to the hands of admirers, this auction doesn’t just pay tribute to a comedy legend but also marks the closing of a special era in the history of British television.
