Frankie Howerd fans bid for memorabilia (From York Press)

Frankie Howerd fans bid for memorabilia

7:38am Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

FANS of legendary York comedian Frankie Howerd have bid in an auction for items from his collection of memorabilia.

The three combined lots – including a passport showing him wearing an ill-fitting toupée, pictures of him with Elizabeth Taylor and Elton John and old school reports – raised £870 as predicted by Dreweatts in Bristol.

The auction house said there had been considerable interest in the lots and said telephone lines had been busy.

Born Francis Alick Howard in York in 1917, the Carry On star later decided to adopt the more distinctive Frankie Howerd as his stage name and became a national treasure in the early 70s when millions tuned in to watch him in the hit BBC sitcom set in ancient Pompeii.

Dreweatts’ auctioneer Peter Rixon said: “Frankie Howerd was a true national treasure who was acknowledged as the master of the double entendre and risque gags.

“This sale will probably be the last chance for collectors to bid for some of Frankie’s remaining personal belongings which give a fascinating insight into his life from his school days right to the height of his success.”

The first lot, including simulated granite block set with a silver star, presented in recognition of Mr Howerd on the occasion of the launch of Avenue of the Stars in Covent Garden and a certificate congratulating Mr Howerd for performing for the Queen Mother at the Royal Variety Performance, 1978, went for £110.

The second lot, including his passport full of visa stamps for world-wide travel up to 1975 together with a quantity of black and white press photographs, showing Mr Howerd with, among others, Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and the Queen Mother went for £180.

Meanwhile, the third lot, including school reports, portrait photographs, letters and recordings went for £580.

The collection was auctioned following the sale of Wavering Down, his Somerset country home.