Laidlaw Auctioneers & Valuers
Lot 1038
A pair of uniformly framed photographs respectively of George Formby with Rolls Royce and Jaguar cars, registered 'GF1' and 'GF2', and with his ukuleles, former 16 cm x 20 cm overall[George Formby, 1904-1961, was an actor, singer-songwriter, comedian and star of stage and screen. He became Britain’s highest-paid entertainer, described by his biographer, Jeffrey Richards, as "able to embody simultaneously Lancashire, the working classes, the people, and the nation". Beryl Formby, George’s wife and manager, died on Christmas Eve, 1960. Seven weeks following the death of his wife, Formby was engaged to Pat Howson, a teacher, whom he initially met as a child. Formby died three weeks later, prior to the wedding. His will left much of his estate to his fiancé. Subsequently, in June 1961, the entire contents of Formby’s “Beryldene” residence was sold by J Entwistle & Co of Lytham St Annes at public auction from a marquee in its garden. The Formby items offered in this auction were acquired at the Beryldene sale by founding member of the George Formby Society and Carlisle businessman, William Logan. Images of related photographs and documents included for online reference not forming part of the lot.] [ Please note, the Formby lots in this auction are being offered for sale by the family of the late William Logan.]