Rex Jameson - 15349

Creator of the legendary Cockney comic character, Mrs Shufflewick.

Jameson had a colourful background. Abandoned as a foundling on a doorstep, he was brought up by a foster mother in Southend as Rex Coster. He is said to have changed his name to Jameson after the whiskey, for which he had a great liking.

He created Mrs Shufflewick as an archetypal Cockney auntie, the woman in the pub (the Cock and Comfort) who appeared outwardly prim and proper but after a few drinks would spill out hair-curling tales of sexual adventure. Mrs Shufflewick was a tiny, bedraggled figure, with a little bit of moth-eaten fur round her neck, always clutching a handbag containing souvenirs of past romances. "She" became a cult figure in London's gay pubs long before it became fashionable.

Jameson started his career in repertory theatre and was with the famous Ralph Reader Gang Show during the war. After the war he appeared at London's celebrated Windmill Theatre in Soho, where so many top comics started off telling jokes in between the showgirls taking their clothes off.

After inventing Mrs Shufflewick, James topped variety bills everywhere. Sadly, he was a notorious drinker and his fondness for alcohol ruined his career. He disappeared from the variety scene, eventually returning to his roots as a pub and club artist.

This is a rare letter, handwitten in blue ink on both sides of a 13" x 8" sheet of notepaper, inviting a fan to meet him at the Venus Club in Birmingham. From his home address ("53 Mornington Terrace, London NW1, 17.2.81) he writes, in full:

Dear John.

Thank you so much for your letter.

Next Tuesday on Feb 26th, I shall be appearing at the VENUS CLUB, 16 INGE St, BIRMINGHAM. If you would like to come and see me there I will give you a photo and a drink in the dressing room.

Don't pay anything. Tell them I am expecting you as my guest.

Hope to see you then.

Sincerely

Rex Jameson (Mrs Shufflewick)

Two correspondence folds but in good condition, better than my scanner suggests. (The scan of the signature area gives a better idea of the letter's condition)