Muhammad Ali sketch by Eric Morecambe at auction

A sketch of boxer Muhammad Ali, drawn by the comedian Eric Morecambe in 1978, is to be auctioned.

The drawing was originally included in an exhibition at the Embankment Gallery in London, titled Brush With the Famous, which took place on 31 October 1978.

Hansons Auctioneers said the late Hertfordshire comedian's sketch was "rendered in bold strokes and full of personality, [capturing] the charisma and presence of one of the greatest sportsmen of the 20th Century".

It is expected to fetch between £1,000 and £2,000 when it goes under the hammer in July.

Hansons was also chosen to auction belongings from Morecambe's Harpenden home earlier this year after his widow, Joan, died aged 97, in March 2024.

Speaking about the Ali sketch, they said it united "two cultural giants in one extraordinary piece of art".

"This is a breathtaking sketch - a remarkable meeting of minds, and heavyweights, in their respective worlds," said Charles Hanson, owner of the company.

"Muhammad Ali's legacy as a sportsman, humanitarian and icon needs no introduction. But what makes this piece so special is that it was drawn by Eric Morecambe – a national treasure in his own right.

"This is more than just a piece of memorabilia. "It's a fascinating crossover between sport, comedy, and art - a cultural snapshot of the 1970s, and a testament to two men who were, and remain, household names," he added.

The sketch comes with its original Embankment Gallery label, confirming its inclusion in the 1978 exhibition which the auction house said added "a valuable layer of provenance to an already important piece".

They said the artwork was likely to attract attention from fans of both Morecambe and Ali.

The four-day antiques and collectors auction takes place at the company's Derbyshire showroom from 17 to 22 July.

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