Harry Lauder Handwritten, Signed Poems - Very Rare. Seaside Postcard Ditties. For Sale

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Hand-written poems on one sheet written by Sir Harry Lauder and signed.

Approx 81/4ins x 51/2ins (21cm x 14cm) writing paper.

These short poems were written by Sir Harry around the year of 1918. He was compiling a series of poems for his "Postcard Series". These were little ditties meant to go on seaside postcards such as the one pictured above.

I have to stress that this is extremely rare and collectable.

This is the only hand-written page of these poems in existence and is therefore of considerable value to a keen collector.

Sir Harry Lauder was the real rags-to-rishes story. His father died when he was very young, leaving a wife and seven children.Sir Harrywas a coal miner in the late 1800's andhis habit of singing down the mines encouraged his workmates to suggest that he made a living from it. He decided to try to be a comedy vocalist. His first paid appearance was in Larkhall in 1905 when he was paid 5 shiilings (25p)........ probably the equvalent of a full week's wage at coal mining. He attained success in Scotland with his crooked walking stick and wearing his "Tammy" (Tam-o-shanter i.e. cap) and then went to London. He appeared in Music Hall Variety shows and realise that he could do better singing the Scottish songs in English but still with a Scottish accent. He had been using Scottish dialect words which the English, and some parts of Scotland, couldn't understand. He had found the perfect recipe for success!

He wrote many famous Scottish songs such as "Roamin'in the Gloamin'"; "Keep right on to the End of the Road" (written after the death of his only son, aCaptain killed in actionin WW2); "I love a Lassie" and a "Wee Deoch-an-Doris". He also starred in a few films in the early days of cinema. With this he became Internationally known, travelling the world - 22 times to America. He was top of the bill at the first every Royal Variety Performance in 1912. He was the first British artist to sell a million records and was the highest paid performer in the world! At one point he was earning the equivalent in today's money of about £13,000 a NIGHT PLUS expenses.

Hehad alarge mansionon the outskirts ofStrathaven, 2 miles along the road from where I live - hence my personal interest - near Larkhall. It was, and still is, named Lauder Ha' (Hall). tars such as Bob Hope, Laurel and Hardy, politicians, in fact anybody who was somebody, visited him there he was so highly valued and world known.

One of his gimmicks was to appear very mean with money, taking it to extremes, although in reality he was very charitable.

For more on Sir Harry there is an absolutely brilliant detailed website dedicated to him, his lif, his walking sticks, which has some wonderful photos. Even if you are not offerding on my item I suggest that you visit it. Because ended one of my items because I put a web name for Rare Scottish Breeds I cannot give the website name here but I can say if you put Harry Lauder Vallance in to the most used search engine which produces a map of the world, the website I mean comes up first. Mr Vallance has done an amazing work of love.

Back to the item....... I have pointed out that there is a slight bloom on the left hand side, as can be seen in the photo. There is also a crease down the centre.Both these, in my opinion , add to the history of it. I can just see Sir Harry folding it, putting it in his inside pocket, then bringing it out later and crossing bits out. I love the three attempts at spelling Promenading. Noice that it is signed on the right hand side.

If you are a serious buyer and would like a better quality scan I will email if you contact me - but the black bits will still be there.

I have just seen thatONLY the signature of Sir Harry on international site is for sale at $799!!!!!! Don't worry I don't expect THAT much - but it would be nice!!!!

The International postage rate is for "signed for" postage and is exactly the charge made. I have not added for packaging.

IMPORTANT NOTE. If you are purchasing from abroad an export licence for historical documents may be required. This costs nothing and is a formality, however it does incur a slight delay. ALSO, if you have less than ten response on your offer will only be accepted if you contact me - sadly it has been known for mistakes to be made by "newbies" - myself included.

Have a GREAT day and good luck!

This item has been shown 149 times. Harry Lauder Handwritten, Signed Poems - Very Rare. Seaside Postcard Ditties.: $96