University of York acquires Eric Morecambe's joke books

The University of York has acquired a collection of nine handwritten joke books by comedy legend Eric Morecambe, offering an unprecedented glimpse into his comedic process. The notebooks, which contain material for the famous Morecambe and Wise 1977 Christmas BBC Special, have been catalogued and will be accessible for public research. They reveal how Morecambe developed his jokes, often refining them over time, and bear signs of having been carried in his suit pocket. The collection was purchased at auction in January, where notable items such as Morecambe's glasses and pipe were also sold to Robbie Williams for £20,000. Gary Brannan from the Borthwick Institute emphasized the significance of the notebooks as a window into Morecambe's comedic genius, reflecting his impact on British light entertainment. The acquisition further establishes the Borthwick as a key resource for the study of British entertainment history.