Eric Morecambe's glasses fetch £20,000 at auction

Eric Morecambe’s iconic glasses sold for £20,000 at auction this weekend – five times the upper estimate.

Auctioneers Hansons said the item ‘attracted intense bidding from collectors eager to own a piece of television history’, which ‘highlighted the enduring popularity of Eric’s legacy, as well as the emotional and nostalgic value that such personal items hold for his legions of fans’.

The specs were among more than 700 lots Morecambe's home in Hertfordshire, including personal items and showbiz memorabilia. His family put the items up for sale following the death of his widow, Joan, in March 2024.

A handwritten letter from his comedy partner Ernie Wise long before they were famous, in which he expressed a wish to end their partnership sold for £3,200, well over its £400 estimate

Other items include:

• A personal letter from the King when he was the Prince of Wales to Eric fetched £2,500
• Eric’s tailcoat and trousers from the Morecambe and Wise Show s old for £4,500 
• Eric’s Breitling watch sold for £10,000 
• A vintage tracksuit  from his beloved Luton Town with ‘Eric’ stitched sold for £5,500
• His OBE, sold for £11,000 
• A portrait of Morecambe by Richard Stone sold for £15,000
• Ventriloquist dummy Charlie, as used in Morecambe’s comedy performances, sold for £6,200

Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: ‘We were thrilled with the extraordinary results achieved at this auction. Eric Morecambe’s legacy lives on in the hearts of millions, and the prices reflect not only the quality and uniqueness of the items but also the deep affection fans continue to hold for him. It’s been an incredible two days.’

Published: 13 Jan 2025