Morecambe and Wise fans, assemble. That’s because over 800 items ofEric Morecambe, one half of Britain’s beloved comedy due with partner Ernie Wise, is set to take place this weekend.
Iconic comedian Eric passed away suddenly from a heart attack in 1984, aged just 58, and since then, his family has held onto the possessions he treasured.
After the late star’s wife Joan died last March, his children Gail, Gary and Steven have decided to sell off his personal items which include letters from royals, MPs and celebrities.
The family decided it was time to part with the remaining items, opting for an auction, held by Hansons Auctioneers, which will offer a fascinating insight into the private life of a man who entertained millions on TV with his comedy partner, Ernie.
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The auction, happening Friday and Saturday, will include Eric’s signature spectacles, a collection of tobacco pipes, his 1976 OBE, and personal letters from side-kick Ernie, the late Prince Philip, and even former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
There will also be props from the duo’s shows, unseen scripts, and a variety of personal mementos that tell the story of Eric’s life—from childhood performances to his later years as a beloved national treasure.
You can get your hands on a whopping 800 pieces from Eric Morecambe’s life
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The comedian was part of the much-loved due Morecamb and Wise
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Other fascinating finds include loving letters from Eric’s parents, the star’s ventriloquist dummy Charlie, a baby grand piano, props from various TV shows and Eric’s own 19th century mahogany writing desk valued at £1,500 which he sat at to write his jokes on at home.
Those on a tighter budget can get their hands on an Eric Morecambe teddy bear valued at £50, a letter sent to the star from King Charles on Buckingham Palace headed paper valued at £1,000 and a vintage Luton Town FC tracksuit given to Eric by the club with starting bids from £300.
The auction includes personal letters
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You can also get your hands on his teddy bear
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Eric’s son Gary, 68, reflected on the significance of this moment. “Our mother never let anything go,” he said. “She outlived dad by forty years, and now, after all this time, we’re excited about sharing our family’s history with the world. It marks the end of an era.. Our father’s genius shaped British comedy, but these items also reflect another side of him—a man who loved the natural world.”
Indeed, many of the items up for auction reveal a side of Eric that the public rarely saw: his love for fishing, birdwatching, and nature. Gary explained that Eric’s interest in the outdoors was something he developed in childhood, fostered by his father.
This collection includes fishing rods, flies, and various oil paintings, particularly of scenes captured by Eric’s close friend and fellow nature lover, artist Gordon Beningfield. For Gary, these items reflect the full spectrum of his father’s character—someone equally at home on a fishing trip as he was in the limelight. The family also hopes the auction will provide new insights into Eric’s private life. The sale includes scrapbooks full of never-before-seen jokes, telegrams, and photographs that chart Eric’s early career, long before he became a household name. These personal items highlight his journey from a young comedian, born Eric Bartholomew in Morecambe, Lancashire, to the national icon he became alongside Ernie Wise. Daughter Gail said the decision to sell was a bittersweet one. “We grew up sharing our dad with the public,” she explained. “It was only after his death that I fully realised the depth of affection people had for him and for Morecambe and Wise. That helped me come to terms with the idea of sharing these memories.”
There are options at the auction to suit all budgets
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The Morecambe family kept most of the late comedian’s things in their home
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The home remained a shrine to Eric after his death, as Joan never removed any of his belongings. For Victoria Sheppard, Sales Manager at Hansons Auctioneers, entering the property was like stepping into a time capsule. “It was surreal,” she recalled. “The house was packed with treasures—paintings, furniture, and even Eric’s beloved baby grand piano. Every room was a reminder of the man who had brought so much joy to millions.” Among the fascinating items up for grabs are playbills, photographs, and even letters from Ernie, who revealed in one touching note how close the duo came to breaking up before they became a worldwide success. Thankfully, their partnership lasted until Eric’s untimely death in 1984, making their collaboration one of the most enduring in British comedy history.
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