12044/​176

Unknown photographer: A signed colour photograph of the English actor John Cleese (b. 1939) in his role as Basil Fawlty in the BBC twelwe episodes tv series “Fawlty Towers” which was produced in 1975 and 1979. Photo size 25.5×20.5 cm. Frame size 43×33 cm.

The real life Basil Fawlty was named Donald Sinclair (1909–1981) and ran The Gleneagles Hotel in the coastal town of Torquay, Southern England together with his wife. John Cleese and his fellow Monty Python friends stayed at the hotel in May 1970, a visit so full of eccentric features due to their host that it gave them - not least John Cleese and Connie Booth - a lasting inspiration. Among other things they witnessed that Donald Sinclair insulted Terry Gilliam because of his American style table manners, that he threw Eric Idles bag out of the window believing it contained a bomb and that he furthermore expressed his deep scepticism concerning the group's stay as such. Only Mrs. Sinclair's reference to the financial importance of their stay made him - still somewhat reluctant - accept the situation.

In the movie “Rat Race” from 2001 John Cleese used the name Donald Sinclair as a character.

Condition

No remarks. This is an original colour photograph with the authentic signature of the English actor John Cleese. Certificate of authenticity from JSA included. JSA is one of the most reputable authorities in the world in regards to valuation and authentication of signatures.

Auction

Art, antiques & collector's items, 29 October 2020

Category
Estimate

1,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

6,500 DKK  

31 bids

When Bidder Bid
6,500 DKK
(Auto bid) 6,000 DKK
5,500 DKK
(Auto bid) 5,000 DKK
4,800 DKK
(Auto bid) 4,200 DKK
4,000 DKK
(Auto bid) 3,800 DKK
3,600 DKK
(Auto bid) 2,700 DKK
2,600 DKK
(Auto bid) 2,500 DKK
2,400 DKK
(Auto bid) 1,650 DKK
1,600 DKK
1,550 DKK
(Auto bid) 1,500 DKK
1,450 DKK
1,050 DKK
(Auto bid) 1,000 DKK
950 DKK
900 DKK
(Auto bid) 850 DKK
850 DKK
(Auto bid) 800 DKK
750 DKK
(Auto bid) 700 DKK
650 DKK
600 DKK
550 DKK
500 DKK