Eric Morecambe’s trademark glasses fetch £20,000 at estate auction

A pair of glasses belonging to comic Eric Morecambe has sold for £20,000 at auction.

Personal items and showbiz memorabilia from the Morecambe home in Hertfordshire were put up for sale following the death of his widow Joan in March 2024.

The glasses were sold with a barling briar pipe and two images of the comic. Other lots included telegrams from the late Duke of Edinburgh and letters from Margaret Thatcher and fellow comedians Ronnie Barker and Tommy Cooper.

The auction took place in 1984, 40 years after Morecambe’s death, and included over 700 lots.

The star was also known for smoking pipes and some of them were sold for as much as £1100.

Morecambe was made an OBE in 1976 and his medal, awarded by Queen Elizabeth II, sold for £11,000, £8,000 above its high estimate.

A tailcoat and trousers, a writing desk, and a Breitling watch were among the other items auctioned that had previously belonged to Morecambe.

Elsewhere, a personal letter from the then Prince of Wales fetched £2,500, while a vintage Luton Town Admiral tracksuit with “Eric” stitched across the back sold for £5,500.

Morecambe met comedy partner Ernie Wise in 1940 aged 14 and formed the enduring double act Morecambe and Wise despite a wartime separation.

He toured theaters before appearing on TV, and by 1977 his Christmas special was seen by 28 million viewers.

Charles Henson of Henson Auctioneers said: “We were delighted with the exceptional 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 love fans hold for them. It’s been an incredible couple of days!”