Spike’s scripts up for auction
NEXT month a London auction house will be selling some rare pieces from Spike Milligan’s private collection of works.
One of Sligo’s favourite sons, the comedian celebrated his Irish roots throughout his career. His father, Leo Alphonso Milligan lived at 5, Holborn Street in the town. where Spike’s grandfather, Sergeant William Milligan of the Sligo Artillery had also lived.
Interest in the family’s links to the area were revived when Spike died in Sussex aged 83 in February 2002, and when his actress daughter Jane visited Sligo while making a documentary on her father’s life.
Spike was born in India when Leo was serving there with the British army. Leo was born and grew up in Holborn Street. And in Spike’s first book, Puckoon, references to Sligo are explicit and implicit.
When Milligan wrote Puckoon in 1963 he had never even been to Ireland, but he often spoke of his pride in his roots.
Now, 17 years on from his death in February of 2002, his agent and longtime friend Norma Farnes has passed some of his original works on to Chiswick Auctions in London.
Amongst the items up for sale on February 28th next, is an original script for an episode of ‘Crazy People’, which was the title of the first series of the ‘Goon Show’.
No recordings of the first series seem to have survived and they have never been put up for auction. Critics said the Goon Show ‘ changed British comedy forever’.
Specialist Valentina Borghi has put a tentative estimate of £600 to £800 on it, but the auction house has said they suspect it will go much higher.
Speaking to The Sligo Champion ahead of next month’s auction, Ms Borghi said it is always difficult to predict what kind of collector will get a lot.
“In this particular case, it is even more difficult as Spike is still a very iconic figure and memorabil- iaia relrelated to him can appeal appe to a wide rang range of people.ple. I think there ther will be bid- ders who have grown up listening to his radio programmes and still miss them.”
She added, “We also think that some lots might end up in museums as they are strictly related to a very specific moment of the development of British comedy.”
Other items from the collection to go under the hammer include: an original art work by Spike Milligan himself.
The comedian used to paint as well as perform and consigned an original artwork by him to Ms Farnes. The artwork, a painting of boats is estimated to fetch £400 to £600. Other pieces in the collection up for auction include a full set of Spike Milligan’s War Memoirs, all signed by the funny man and humorously inscribed to Norma.
This has been priced at £600 to £800, while an original typed draft of Vol III of Spike War Memoirs (“Monty: His Part in My Victory”) is also estimated to fetch the same.
Asked what her favourite items are from the lot, Ms Borghi singled out the set of first editions of Spike War Memoirs.
“They were personally presented by Spike to the vendor (his friend and agent Norma Farnes) and bearing very funny dedications.
“They give a touching glimpse of their long-lasting professional relationship and friendship,” said the specialist.
The auction has already attracted great interest and will take place at Chiswick Auction House, London on February 28th next.