‘Mini’ version of Eric Morecambe statue and bronze sculptures of comedy legends going under the hammer
Millions have seen the statue of Eric Morecambe in the town, or the bronze sculpture of Eric and Ernie in the foyer of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool – or even the statue of Ken Dodd on show in the dress circle of the town’s Grand Theatre.
Now there’s a chance to own a replica on which the famous works were based made by the artist himself.
Dozens of small-scale bronze statues by Barnsley sculptor Graham Ibbeson are going under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers’ sale on December 11.
The one expected to make the most money – up to £6,000 – is a small “flat back” of Morecambe and Wise, the larger version of which was unveiled at the Winter Gardens in 2016 marking the double-act’s 75th anniversary.
In the same sale the original sketch of Eric Morecambe, on which the famous Morecambe Bay sculpture was based, is expected to make £2,500-£3,000, while a bronze version 38.5cm (15in) high, should fetch £4,000-£6,000.
Both show the famous funnyman, who was born in Morecambe, in his trademark “Bring me Sunshine’” pose, wearing plus fours and with a pair of binoculars around his neck.
The subsequent life-sized statue, unveiled on town’s quayside by the late Queen in 1999, is now said to be the most photographed public sculpture in northwest England.
The sale also includes other small-scale replicas by the artist, known as maquettes, which were made for the comedians’ families to okay before the final creation.
Made in limited numbers, they are highly sought after by collectors, especially the last version, a one-off, known as the ‘artist’s proof’.
Hansons Auctioneers’ 20th -century and modern design expert, Barry Jones, said: “For many of us of a certain age The Morecambe and Wise Show epitomised Christmas, so it is wonderful to be offering these seminal pieces in our December sale.
"Few other sculptors capture the warmth and humour of a person like Graham.
“Millions of people have seen his iconic statues around the north west and now they have a chance to own a piece of that magic.”
A bronze statue of Sir Ken Dodd, which Ibbeson worked on in lock down, was unveiled at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre in 2022.
Like the limited-edition replica on which it was based it features Sir Ken’s famous Tickling Stick along with Dicky Mint, one of his most beloved Diddymen.
The Knotty Ash entertainer, who died in 2018 aged 90, performed more than 2,000 shows in the resort.
As Ibbeson opens up the contents of his studio for sale, he has also revealed some of the secrets behind his famous commissions.
He said: “Eric’s wife Joan couldn’t understand the plus fours or the binoculars. She wanted him to be wearing something more formal like a dinner jacket. But I wanted to show Eric as everyone saw him – as a sort of daft uncle. I wanted people to see the statue and smile. The binoculars were a nod to him being president of the RSPB.
“As commissions go Eric and Ernie weren’t too difficult. If you put a pair of his trademark glasses on Eric you’d done the job. I have been a fan of Morecambe and Wise all my life and it was an absolute pleasure to work on my comedy heroes. I see myself as a comedian, it’s just my jokes take longer to produce.”
From the initial idea to its final unveiling, the statue of Eric was six years in the pipeline including fund raising, for which some of the smaller statues were sold.
Graham, who lives in Barnsley, said: “The statue of Eric was part of regeneration of Morecambe which was tremendously successful and a great boost to tourism in the northwest and once the Queen unveiled it, my career also took off.”
John Eric Bartholomew was born on May 14, 1926. He took his stage name of Eric Morecambe from the town of his birth. He died in 1984 aged 58, renowned for his double act with Ernie Wise, who died in 1999.
The duo are among Britain’s most loved entertainers of all-time with The Morecambe and Wise Show still popular today.
Born in Barnsley in 1951, Graham Ibbeson (known as the “the people’s sculptor”) has been a professional sculptor since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1978.
He has developed an international reputation exhibiting in galleries throughout the world, with his public works helping to regenerate cities and towns across the UK.
The statues go under the hammer at Hansons two-day sale at its Derby saleroom starting on December 11.
Visit https://hansonsauctioneers.co.uk/ to view the catalogue or register to bid.