COOPER, Tommy (1921 – 84). A Collection of Tommy Cooper’s Handwritten Jokes, Memorabilia, and Personal Items. 1960s – 80s, and including a small notepad of jokes in Cooper’s own hand (with the line, “If you don’t marry me, I’ll die – and nine years later, I did!”); two lists of gags and/or running orders for appearances at the London Palladium; a cardboard sheet with a loose script and cues for a sketch about a plumber; two gag celluloid noses and a Thumb Tip from Cooper’s estate (the latter with an ANS from Cooper’s wife, Gwen); a small porcelain pillbox with various dress studs and pins owned by Cooper including a Grand Order of Water Rats lapel pin; souvenir Cooper playing cards, pen, and lenticular; Cooper’s brass whistle used by a stagehand in his celebrated “Hats” routine; a gag porcelain “half” teacup; a playing card signed by Cooper; a bilboquet bought by the Coopers on a European vacation which became the inspiration for Cooper’s well-known ball and cone gag; and the printing plate for a two-color postcard featuring Cooper in his trademark fez, together with a finished example of the card. Sold together with three modern works by John Fisher: Tommy Cooper’s Secret Joke Files (2011), The Tommy Cooper Joke Book (2009), and Tommy Cooper’s Mirth, Magic & Mischief (2010), each volume SIGNED by the author and in fine condition.