Big-hearted comedy fans from around the world ensured the personal archive of Arthur Askey sold for more than £57,000 at Hansons Auctioneers’ recent sale <Nov 13> dedicated to the funnyman.
The top lot was the comedian’s 18ct gold cigarette case, made by Cartier and dated 1928, which sold for £11,000 beating its low estimate of £7,000.
Askey’s 9ct gold signet ring, with his AA monogram, sold for £1,600 trouncing its estimate of £250-£350.
Bidders from China, Canada, Dubai, Belgium, Greece and America took part in the sale, as well as fans from Askey’s hometown of Liverpool – all pushing lots well past their pre-sale estimates.
The collection was consigned for sale to the Derby auctioneers by the comedian’s three grandchildren, Jane, William and Andy Stewart.
Jane Stewart said: “‘To the whole Hansons team we would like to say a big hearted ‘Ay Thang You’. Grandad would have been amazed and very touched.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that enthusiasts, collectors and fans have had the opportunity to see and own a piece of the life of a man who worked incredibly hard to be the best he could in a career he was passionate about.”
Charles Hanson said: “It was a privilege to be entrusted by the family of Arthur Askey to sell their grandfather’s remarkable collection.
“We were thrilled with some of the results achieved, reflecting the affection fans around the world continue to hold for this true pioneer of British comedy.”
Other estimate-busting lots included Askey’s vintage 9ct gold Everite Super engraved with the funnyman’s catchphrase Ay Thang You, which raced past its guide price of £100-£200 to sell for £540.
Of special interest to Liverpool bidders was a telegram from Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney congratulating Askey on 50 years in showbusiness.
In it the famous songwriter references the school desk which he inherited from Askey at the Liverpool Institute for Boys in which he carved his initials.
He wrote: “You carved your name with pride and its still there.” The lot had been expected to sell for £100-£200 but sold for £800.
The “Big Red Book” from Askey’s second appearance on This is Your Life, which was broadcast on Christmas Day 1974, sold for £1,100 almost three times its low estimate of £300.
Other pieces of comedy memorabilia soared, including a number of enamel badges depicting Arthur wearing his ‘big hearted’ hat.
Seven badges, which were produced for Woolworths in 1939 and would have cost pennies, sold for £220 – more than 10 times their low guide priced of £20.
A collection of the funnyman’s early recordings of his wartime songs including his famous The Bee Song as well as Wartime, Please Leave my Butter Alone, Get in Your Shelter and You Mustn’t Forget the Girl You Left Behind, sold for £230 beating its guide price of £50-£70.
Hansons Auctioneers is fast building a reputation as the go-to auctioneer for the collections of the UK’s most treasured comedians.
In 2024 it received worldwide recognition for the sale of the Eric Morecambe collection, which fetched more than £½m.
In March this year its Woburn saleroom achieved remarkable results for a significant collection of Tommy Cooper memorabilia.
In 2020 it was entrusted with the George Formby collection including two ukuleles, personal scrapbooks, postcards and film scripts.
Charles Hanson said: “We are currently negotiating on a number of significant collections for 2026, so watch this space.”
Auction Results
Auction: The Arthur Askey Collection
Auction date: 13th November 2025 | 10am
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
