The instrument once owned by the music hall star is to be offered at Hansons in Derbyshire on June 30 with an estimate of £20,000-30,000.
The banjolele is a four-stringed instrument with a small banjo-type body and a fretted ukulele neck.
This Gibson UB3 model comes with its original case as well as receipts, certificates, photographs and magazines. It was originally purchased by Bill Logan, the first president of the George Formby Society, at the Beryldene auction in 1961. Formby’s home in St Annes, near Blackpool, was named Beryldene after his wife Beryl. She had died in 1960 and three months later on March 6, 1961, Formby died. His will was contested by relatives and the solicitors organised an auction of every single possession of Beryl and George from their former home.
In 1972, this Gibson UB3 banjulele was sold to Birmingham man Terence Wallin and now it is being offered for sale again.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, says: “This is such a rare opportunity. This was one of George Formby’s favourite banjoleles and the chance to own and play it is very special.”
The Wigan-born singer-songwriter, actor and comedian was one of the UK’s most popular entertainers during the 1930s and ‘40s.
One of his songs, When I’m Cleaning Windows, was banned by the BBC in 1936 for being ‘smutty’. It included the line “Ladies nighties I have spied, I’ve often seen what goes inside”.
