Third Doctor Who Jon Pertwee Scripts and Photographs to Auction

Items from the estate of the English actor John Pertwee (1919-96) come up for sale at Chiswick Auctions in February. They include original manuscripts and photographs relating to his best-known roles in Doctor Who, Worzel Gummidge and the long-running BBC radio comedy The Navy Lark. 

Pertwee took over the role as the third incarnation of the Doctor in 1969 and starred alongside Una Stubbs in Worzel Gummidge from 1979 to 1989.

Offered with an estimate of £400-600 as part of a timed online Autographs and Memorabilia sale running February 2 - February 18 is a group lot of scripts and photos from the 1960s-80s. They include the typed lyrics of Worzel's Song, Scarecrows on Parade, The Worzel Walk, and others, all with annotations in Pertwee's hand, and a black and white photograph of Pertwee with William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton, the first and second actors to play The Doctor.

Another lot comprises three late 18th or early 19th century men's embroidered cream silk waistcoats accompanied by a black and white photograph showing Pertwee wearing one at the 1951 British Industries Fair in Earl's Court. Also in shot, admiring the garment, are fellow actors Bob Hope and Jacques Sernas. 

The Navy Lark script, for a show broadcast on October 3, 1965, is signed 'Jon' on the first page and features his marks, annotations and occasional doodles. Also included is a typed sample television script adapted from BBC Radio series Puffney Post Office featuring Jon Pertwee as The Postmaster, n.d. [after 1950], and the script for the play My Dear Gilbert featuring Pertwee as W. S. Gilbert, heavily annotated in blue ballpoint ink and pencil, 1969.

"People remember John Pertwee fondly. These scripts that come for sale from his family are a perfect snapshot of many of his best loved roles,” said Valentina Borghi, head of Autographs and Memorabilia at Chiswick Auctions.