The sale will include Tommy Cooper's Magic Robe worn by the comedy legend for his final performance.
On 15th April 1984, Cooper stepped onto the stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London for a live televised performance. Wearing this red silk brocade robe and his trademark fez, he was to perform an act in which ever increasingly sized objects were passed by the show’s host Jimmy Tarbuck through the stage curtain and an opening panel in the back of the garment, to appear like magic from beneath the robe to the delight of the audience. In a moment that shocked the nation, Cooper suffered a heart attack part-way through the act and collapsed. Sadly, he was subsequently pronounced dead at Westminster Hospital.
The robe, which was made to fit the Welsh comedian’s 6ft 4in frame, was later owned by fellow magician Paul Daniels, who purchased it at a Comic Heritage auction. It was then sold through Tim Reed Magic in 2003 to the current vendor and is accompanied by a signed letter from Paul Daniels confirming the robe’s provenance.
Toys and Collectables Sale will also incorporate model trains, railwayana, live steam, vintage toys, diecast models, model kits, memorabilia from the world of film and music, vintage advertising ephemera. The Sporting and Fishing section of the sale includes a wide range of collectable sporting items, such as sporting memorabilia for popular sports such as football, cricket, tennis, horse racing, rugby, boxing the Olympic Games, as well as antique and good modern fishing tackle.
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