They say behind every great man is a great woman and that’s certainly true of comedy legend Eric Morecambe, writes Charles Hanson.
His wife Joan was the love of his life, the engine room of Morecambe and Wise, the woman who made everything work. She supported him throughout his career and treasured every memento of his extraordinary life. All was kept safe at the family home, Brachefield in Harpenden, Herts, until she passed away on her 97th birthday in March 2023.
Consequently, it’s thanks to Joan that Eric’s memory – and comedy genius – is set to shine bright courtesy of Derbyshire’s Hansons Auctioneers. It will offer The Eric Morecambe Collection on January 10-11 at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium – and lots can be viewed there this week. [details at end of story]
Apparently Eric was worried his comedy may be forgotten. If only he knew. His work is still loved by millions and his legacy remains as strong as ever. Thanks to Joan’s devotion, everything remained just as Eric left it when he died from a heart attack aged only 58 in 1984. His photos, papers, showbiz memorabilia, letters, art, pipes, glasses, fishing equipment, binoculars – all were kept. Nothing was thrown away.
Consequently, valuers from Hansons were left in awe when they entered Brachefield. And amid more than 800 fascinating lots covering every aspect of the couple’s lives, powerful evidence of their mutual adoration emerged.
Touching love letters, smothered in kisses and kind words, offer an insight into a romance that lasted a lifetime. Lot 647, £2,000-£4,000, contains 15 affectionate letters from Eric and nine from Joan dated from 1952 – the year they married.
One from Eric reads: ‘Hello my darling. Tonight I’m in a sentimental mood, and also in the mood for writing to you. First let me tell you how much I love you. I love you so much that nothing else counts.’
He also jokes, ‘I hope our children will have their mother’s features and the father’s fixtures… Goodnight my darling and I’ll see you in my dreams. Love you always. Eric XXXXXXX. PS: X for the one you’ll get in my dreams.’
The collection also includes 19 postcards, many with glasses drawn on the characters to represent Eric, plus humorous and affectionate messages. But they’re just a small part of several lots which give an insight into the couple’s enduring love and life together.
A myriad of family photos include images from the couple’s wedding day, which Ernie Wise attended, and multiple family snapshots through the years. A particularly lovely image of Eric and Joan features in lot 229, £30-£50. It was taken around 1982, just a couple of years before Joan lost him.
She was a beautiful woman, a former dancer who liked to dress well. Eric made sure she had all she needed. Lot 179, £40-£60, is a 1960s palomino mink fur jacket. The Morecambe family said: ‘Mum mainly shopped in Harpenden. She would bring clothes home to try on, usually modelling them for Eric and if they liked it, it would be bought. Vintage fur also comes to the fore in lot 182, £60-£100, a mahogany mink coat bearing Joan’s initials ‘J D B’ (Joan Dorothy Bartholomew).
The couple enjoyed a blissfully happy family life at Brachefield with their three children, Gail, Gary and Steven. Naturally, all feature in photos. In fact lot 231, £200-£300, an oil portrait by Irish artist Peter Deighan, captures Joan with Steven.
Another reason the marrige was so successful was because Joan fully understood and embraced the celebrity and media side of their lives. Lot 587, £300-£500, is a 1970s photo of Joan and Eric Morecambe with Cary Grant and Barbara Harris. Another 1970s image shows Joan chatting to King Charles, then the Prince of Wales. She was clearly at ease.
Due to Eric’s fame, portraits and caricatures of him were often done. Joan kept them all. Lot 469, £40-£60, is a portrait of Eric given to her as a gift. The couple even feature in a satirical cartoon by David Langdon OBE (1914-20119). Eric is depicting seated smoking a pipe in dressing gown and slippers with Joan presenting him with a book by Ernie Wise. The caption reads: ‘Ernie Wise says you might have time now to read this masterpiece what he wrote.’
Eric received an OBE but so did Joan. Both are in the sale. Joan received her OBE for services to charity in 2015. She was also founder and president of the Lady Taverners, part of the Lord’s Taverners youth cricket and disability sports charity, from 1987 to 1992.
To say Eric and Joan were perfect for each other is, perhaps, an understatement. They were married for 32 years – until death parted them. The strength of their love is underlined yet again by lot 648, £100-£200, anniversary cards sent to each other on their 25th wedding anniversary. Joan wrote, ‘Here’s to the next 25! Where did the last 25 go? Always your loving wife Joan. XXXXX’
Eric’s card to Joan read: ‘I may not very often say just how I feel about you. But dear I’m sure you realise I couldn’t do without you. Because the happiness I’ve known throughout our married life has come from sharing it with you, my sweet and lovely wife’.
Auction: The Eric Morecambe Collection will be offered by Hansons Auctioneers on January 10-11 at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium, Princess Way, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire DE13 0AR. Lots can be viewed at the Pirelli Stadium on January 5, 2-6pm; January 6-7, 10am-4pm; January 8, 10am-8pm, and January 9, 10am-3pm. At 2pm on each viewing day, Eric Morecambe’s daughter Gail Stuart, 71, will give a talk about her father and host a question-and-answer session. Entry by printed catalogue only, available to purchase at the stadium for £25, one catalogue admits two.
