A gift from John Cleese; Monty Python and the Flying Circus ...

Hammer

£170

A gift from John Cleese; Monty Python and the Flying Circus - episode six script, recording date Thursday 23 July 1970. 

Provenance from the vendor as follows:
In the early 1980s, Hawk Books invited me to a meeting at Sally Clarke's restaurant in Kensington to discuss an idea for a new illustrated publication. Two large circular tables filled the room. We were at the rear; another group were towards the front. Whilst chatting during lunch, the lady to my right, who was animatedly pitching her concept, knocked over a bottle of wine, spilling it onto my jacket sleeve. I leapt to my feet in surprise, exclaiming: 'Steady on… Who do you think you are, Basil Fawlty?'
The restaurant fell silent, and the MD of Hawk Books nodded beyond my shoulder with a smile, and I turned to face John Cleese, making an exaggerated bow.
Overcome with embarrassment, I stumbled out an apology. He immediately put me at ease as his table roared with laughter.
‘Fetch another bottle of wine,' he said to the waiter. ‘Put it on our bill. And, if you can,  take this gentleman’s jacket to see if the stain can be attended to.’
Thanking him, we resumed the meetings.
Later, when the MD of Hawk Books was settling our bill, he handed the script to me, saying, 'I think this was left for you.’