Formby’s famous banjo ukuleles go up for sale at auction
One of George Formby’s banjo ukuleles is included in the auction, along with his personal scrapbook and a life-size model of the famous Wigan-born performer. PICTURES: SWNS
AT THE peak of his fame he was the UK’s highest paid entertainer, renowned for his light-hearted songs accompanied with his trademark ukulele.
And now fans of George Formby, inset, are being given the chance to secure some of his personal belongings in the biggest sale of its kind since his death nearly 60 years ago.
A life-size model of the Wigan-born performer along with two of his first banjo ukuleles are among the lots set to fetch more than £30,000 at the auction on Thursday.
The star’s personal scrapbook and a collection of previously unseen family photographs are also going up for sale.
One of the ukuleles expected to sell for £15,000 was the first one he played in the 1935 film, Off the Dole, and even has rub marks caused by his buttons.
His Dallas Model C banjo ukulele, complete with the original case bearing the words ‘Uke in D, Low’ written by Formby as he did not read music, will also be up for sale.
The memorabilia also includes a letter that he sent to musicians complaining about their songs including “too much sex stuff ”. The sale is being billed as the biggest since the contents of his home were sold after he died aged 56 from a heart attack in 1961.
Jim Spencer, of Derbyshirebased Hansons Auctioneers, which is overseeing the sale, said: “It’s a hugely important private collection. It celebrates the life of one of Britain’s most famous 20th century stars.”