MYSTERY surrounds a batch of professionally-drawn cartoons from the 1930s coming up for auction next week.
The cartoons – which will be auctioned at Featonby’s in Whitley Bay on Monday – were drawn by H. Beresford Wilson, who lived in Morpeth, Northumberland, and whose work had appeared in publications.
But nothing is known about him, apart from a picture of him in the line-up of Seghill Rugby Club in 1932-33.
He also provided the illustrations for a booklet for demobbed soldiers after the Second World War and for a Newcastle students’ rag magazine in 1935.
“The cartoons are of a very high standard and quite risque for their time, and we would love to know more about the artist,” said auctioneer Darren Riach.
Also on sale at Featonby’s will letters written from comic film star Stan Laurel to friends in the North East.
In one, Stan had sent a £5 money order to pay for drinks at an annual dinner in North Shields, where he had lived as a youngster in Dockwray Square.
Dated January 29, 1955, the letter is addressed to Joseph Butcher at his home in King Edward Road in Tynemouth.
Stan wrote: “ I trust it will arrive for the dinner. I am sending it air mail and express in the hope it will do so.” The letter’s value has been increased because it was signed by Stan, who then signed a postscript and the enclosed stub of the money order.
Also for sale is a draft reply from Mr Butcher, in which he says: “ We had a very good evening. Thanks for a very generous gesture.”
In a return letter, Stan describes the fabulous prizes which were being given out on American TV game shows.
The letters are expected to fetch several hundred pounds.
Mr Riach said: “ Stan Laurel maintained strong links with the North East and did not forget people.”
The letters have been put up for sale by Mr Butcher’s granddaughter, Lesley Wightman, a care worker who lives at Marden in Cullercoats.
She said that her grandfather had worked as a clerk on North Shields Fish Quay and had grown up in the town where his family had been mariners for many years.
“They may have known each other from their boyhoods in North Shields,” she said.
“I think my grandfather was a committee member for the YMCA in North Shields, which I believe Stan Laurel opened so that may also have been a link.”
