5. Ephemera and Books from Actor Eric Idle
More ephemera at the New York book fair will come from Johnson Rare Books & Archives, which will bring highlights from the private library of revered British actor Eric Idle, a founding member of the Monty Python comedy troupe. Idle’s library of more than 4,000 books encompasses British history, literature, rock and roll, along with humor, comedy, and musical theater. Many of his books are signed by famous friends like George Harrison and Ringo Starr of The Beatles.
One amusing piece from Idle’s collection that will be at the fair is a signed concert poster for “The Rutles,” a Beatles parody band that Idles founded with Neil Innes. The band was formed for a sketch on the BBC television comedy series Rutland Weekend Television, but they actually went on to tour and recorded two albums. Other highlights from Idle’s collection that will be on sale include a Dictionary of International Slurs and a 19th-century book on The Comic History of England.
