I am so, so, so, sooooooo saaaddddd!
My wife actually accuses me of being a banking geek junkie, which shows just how sad I am.
How sad am I?
Well, there was a classic old gameshow in Britain that ran through the 1980's and 1990's called Blankety Blank.
It was a cheap BBC show that gave away old rubbish like a Mug Tree or a Duvet Cover as top prizes.
You can get an idea of how good the show was from the classic opening of the first show Les Dawson hosted:
Les was the funniest comedian and my personal favourite host because of the way he always took the mickey out of the rubbish prizes (and guests!).
And if the main prizes were that bad, I bet you can't imagine what the consolation prize would be, can you?
You guessed it.
A Blankety Blank Cheque Book and Pen!
A Blankety Blank Cheque Book and Pen.
How cheap were the Beeb back then?
Cheap? They were so cheap that they drowned out the sound of my budgerigar's chirps!
Now why am I telling you all this?
Because I am a sad, geeky banking guy who collects sad, geeky banking things and, for about six months, I've been trying to get a Blankety Blank Cheque Book and Pen!
And I finally tracked one down on eBay and here it is:
Now you know how very, very sad I am.
But why would I spend good money on this cheap rubbish?
Well, it's obvious.
This is a rare item today, worth a lot on eBay.
So I have placed it with my recently discarded bank cheque books which, in about another twenty years, will be about as rare as one of these.
Now there's a thought!
I always thought it was a blankety blank cheque pen and book.
As for current cheque books, I can't remember the last time I used one, I've been living in Belgium for the last 5 years, and never got the option of a cheque book when I opened my account, everything I do is now done by internet / self service banking points, although I complained about having to pay for my account, the systems are much better than what I had in the UK.
Good luck on Sunday in the Marathon, I'll keep an eye out for you on TV
Posted by: Kevin Johnson | April 22, 2009 at 11:38 AM
I have a blankety blank cheque book and pen with Les Dawson's signature which my late husband won as a consolation prize when he was on the show in the 1980's. I'm thinking of selling it, does anyone know the best place to sell this and how much it is worth. Thank you.
Posted by: Sandra Harper | October 01, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Sandra - I would be interested in purchasing the blankety blank cheque book as a gift. How much do you want for it?
Posted by: Simon | November 17, 2009 at 03:27 PM
Hi Simon, I can't say how much I want as I don't know how much it is worth. I'm trying to find out but doesn't seem to be any available for sale anywhere. I'll let you know if I find out and if I decide to sell. Many thanks for your interest.
Posted by: Sandra | November 22, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Hi Sandra,
I too would be interested, if you decide to sell.
Best wishes,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | December 15, 2009 at 12:29 PM
hi sandra did you find out how mch it was worth, i have a blankety blank chequebook with lilly savage on it? the pen is a beautifu cross fountain pen which i believe is worth a few hundred on its own. jules
Posted by: julie scullion | January 02, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Hi Chris,
Is this photo of the cheque book and pen one that you took yourself?
If it is, i wondered if you would mind if i used it in an illustration that i'm working on for a magazine - they are doing a review on a book about Les Dawson
(If you'd like to see how i use photos in my work you can look at my work at www.sarahhanson.co.uk)
Look forward to hearing back,
Thanks
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | February 14, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Sandra, I'll give you more than anyone else for the blankety blank cheque book and pen. James
Posted by: james parker | April 13, 2012 at 07:28 PM
I also have a Lilly Savage Blankety Blank Cheque Book and Pen for sale, boxed and in pristine condition. I am open to offers.
Posted by: Stevie Matrix | September 21, 2012 at 09:16 AM
Is anyone selling a Blanckety Blank Cheque Book and Pen?
Posted by: Sarah | January 04, 2013 at 06:14 PM
I have a Les Dawson one from when I was on the show in the late 80's. I also have the name bar that you see in front of the contestants with all of the celebrities autographs on including Les
Posted by: Dave Kirven | February 24, 2013 at 01:03 AM
Dave Kirven can you mail me if you still have your Les Dawson cheque book and name plate for sale.
uglyklown at hotmail.co.uk
Posted by: Danny Marsh | May 10, 2013 at 11:09 PM