Some of the many records wholly dedicated to, and featuring, the lad himself. Unfortunately most, if not all, have now been discontinued. You can still find them about, second-hand, if you look hard enough. So keep those minces peeled!

First published Summer 1960: Pye-Nixa PLP 1110

Pieces of Hancock collection - There were three (UK) releases wholly dedicated to the Half Hour excepts featured on these long players (more if you include, as I have, those sold outside the UK - within the commonwealth). The first release; PYE NIXA PLP 1110, is not shown as, again, I'm still in the process of trying to track down a copy. Indeed, as with the previous Nixa release (PLP 1039), it's proving to be another very illusive LP. All the others, which were all subsequent releases, can be seen below.
 
PYE
Pieces of Hancock - Australian pressing
PLP 1110 - Mono
First published 1960

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

Side One

1. The East Cheam Drama Festival - The cast perform three short plays - Jack's Return Home, Look Back in Hunger, and The Life of Ludwig Van Beethoven and the Songs that Made him Famous.

2. The Secret Life Of Anthony Hancock - (extract from the Test Pilot - taken from The Diary) Browsing in his diary for 1956, Hancock imagines himself as a surgeon, a lion-tamer, and a test pilot whose flight is disastrously upset by the unexpected presence of Kenneth Williams.

Side Two

1. The Publicity Photograph - Persuaded to have a new - and heavily re-touched publicity photograph made, Hancock's pleasure at the good looks of the result turns to horror when he has to undergo plastic surgery and gruelling training to make him match the picture.

2. The Threatening Letters - Hancock receives several anonymous letters threatening his life; failing to get any help from the police, he barricades himself in his house. . .

 

Pieces of Hancock - Australian pressing
ASTOR (Goldengroove SERIES)
First published 1960
PLP 1110 - Mono

Side One

1. The East Cheam Drama Festival - The cast perform three short plays - Jack's Return Home, Look Back in Hunger, and The Life of Ludwig Van Beethoven and the Songs that Made him Famous.

2. The Secret Life Of Anthony Hancock - (extract from the Test Pilot - taken from The Diary) Browsing in his diary for 1956, Hancock imagines himself as a surgeon, a lion-tamer, and a test pilot whose flight is disastrously upset by the unexpected presence of Kenneth Williams.

Side Two

1. The Publicity Photograph - Persuaded to have a new - and heavily re-touched publicity photograph made, Hancock's pleasure at the good looks of the result turns to horror when he has to undergo plastic surgery and gruelling training to make him match the picture.

2. The Threatening Letters - Hancock receives several anonymous letters threatening his life; failing to get any help from the police, he barricades himself in his house. . .

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

PYE (PLUM LABEL)
Pieces of Hancock - UK pressing
NPL 18054 - Mono
First published 1960

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

Side 1

1. The East Cheam Drama Festival - The cast perform three short plays - Jack's Return Home, Look Back in Hunger, and The Life of Ludwig Van Beethoven and the Songs that Made him Famous.

2. The Secret Life Of Anthony Hancock - (extract from the Test Pilot - taken from The Diary) Browsing in his diary for 1956, Hancock imagines himself as a surgeon, a lion-tamer, and a test pilot whose flight is disastrously upset by the unexpected presence of Kenneth Williams.

Side 2

1. The Publicity Photograph - Persuaded to have a new - and heavily re-touched publicity photograph made, Hancock's pleasure at the good looks of the result turns to horror when he has to undergo plastic surgery and gruelling training to make him match the picture.

2. The Threatening Letters - Hancock receives several anonymous letters threatening his life; failing to get any help from the police, he barricades himself in his house. . .

 

Pieces of Hancock - Canadian pressing
PYE (ALLIED)
First published 1960
NSPL 30135 - (incorrectly labeled as Stereo) Mono

Side One

1. The East Cheam Drama Festival - The cast perform three short plays - Jack's Return Home, Look Back in Hunger, and The Life of Ludwig Van Beethoven and the Songs that Made him Famous.

2. The Secret Life Of Anthony Hancock - (extract from the Test Pilot - taken from The Diary) Browsing in his diary for 1956, Hancock imagines himself as a surgeon, a lion-tamer, and a test pilot whose flight is disastrously upset by the unexpected presence of Kenneth Williams.

Side Two

1. The Publicity Photograph - Persuaded to have a new - and heavily re-touched publicity photograph made, Hancock's pleasure at the good looks of the result turns to horror when he has to undergo plastic surgery and gruelling training to make him match the picture.

2. The Threatening Letters - Hancock receives several anonymous letters threatening his life; failing to get any help from the police, he barricades himself in his house. . .

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

PYE (GOLDEN GUINEA)
Pieces of Hancock - UK pressing
GGL 0245 - Mono
First published 1960

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

Side 1

1. The East Cheam Drama Festival - The cast perform three short plays - Jack's Return Home, Look Back in Hunger, and The Life of Ludwig Van Beethoven and the Songs that Made him Famous.

2. The Secret Life Of Anthony Hancock - (extract from the Test Pilot - taken from The Diary) Browsing in his diary for 1956, Hancock imagines himself as a surgeon, a lion-tamer, and a test pilot whose flight is disastrously upset by the unexpected presence of Kenneth Williams.

Side 2

1. The Publicity Photograph - Persuaded to have a new - and heavily re-touched publicity photograph made, Hancock's pleasure at the good looks of the result turns to horror when he has to undergo plastic surgery and gruelling training to make him match the picture.

2. The Threatening Letters - Hancock receives several anonymous letters threatening his life; failing to get any help from the police, he barricades himself in his house. . .

 

Sleeve notes for Pieces of Hancock - (PLP 1110, NPL 18054, NSPL 30135 & GGL 0245 - in fact, all of the above)

These sleeve notes reintroduce to the record buying public (and to the sleeve reading public who go into the record shop for a crafty read and put it back again without buying anything) Mr. Anthony Hancock, the celebrated comedian and middleclass beatnik. Pieces of Hancock has been issued following the fantastic success of Mr. Hancock's previous record 'This is Hancock', which at the time of writing has broken all sales records for a comparable record of that size and title. Well done the Pye Publicity and Brain-Washing team. If this record does as well, it is hoped to follow it up quickly with other releases. Titles in preparation include 'Tony Hancock sings the George Gershwin Song Book', accompanied by the Massed Banjoes of the Metropolitan Police Band, Plain Clothes Division, and, of course, 'The Fabulous Mr. Hancock', an actual on the spot recording made of a live performance at a midnight matinee in a doorway of the Empire, Leicester Square. Unfortunately for music lovers, the actual performance only takes up one minute thirty-three seconds of a twelve inch long player, the rest of the side being occupied by a violent argument between Mr. Hancock and three of the banjo players from the other record who happened to be on duty at the time.

But first things first. Pieces of Hancock consists of selected excerpts from the radio versions of 'Hancock's Half Hour', linked together by a spoken commentary by Mr. Hancock himself. These excerpts were selected after considerable research, necessitating a careful three day sort through of the B.B.C. dustbins. Connoisseurs of recording technique might be interested to know that the laughter and applause heard on this record are the genuine and spontaneous reaction of a live audience at a different show entirely.

Appearing with Mr. Hancock in these Pieces are such giants of the theatre as Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams, Bill Kerr and Sidney James. Sidney James is, of course, better known for his fine work and unceasing efforts on behalf of the Prisoners' Aid Society, from which he has received more than his fair share of assistance. Bill Kerr is particularly anxious for this record to sell well if only to get back the money he laid out in order to buy a copy of the last one. Mr. Kerr's financial interest in this record is, quite naturally, being handled by Mr. James. It is quite a generous deal as far as Mr. James' deals go. A penny for every record sold over five million. Miss Hattie Jacques and Mr. Kenneth Williams give their usual sterling performances. The spelling is quite right - they did it strictly for the money.

The scripts were written by those two eminent men of letters, Mr. Alan Simpson and Mr. Ray Galton, whose brilliant geniuses have constantly amazed the world of literature with their exceptional talent, and who also wrote the stuff you're reading now. So all that now remains is for you to sit back and enjoy the feast of entertainment contained in these grooves. And if you don't like it, well that's your fault, you should have had it played over to you in the little cubicle before you bought it.

Well, there it is, and don't forget, if you've got this record and 'This is Hancock', you are now the undisputed intellectual leader of the district, and don't forget our magnificent offer, if you send in ten labels as proof of purchase, we send you, entirely free and without further charge, another label.

ALAN SIMPSON AND RAY GALTON

Railway Cuttings is the first Web site to contain this information, in detail and with pictures. The most comprehensive collection of Hancock related records anywhere on the Web, so far!
You can see two Little Pieces of Hancock EPs, by clicking this link - Little Pieces of Hancock - Vol 1 & Vol 2

You can see The Publicity Photograph EP, by clicking this link - The Publicity Photograph

This long player should be easy to find. Indeed you may trip over one. So mind your step!
This long player can be found, but you may have to look harder, it won't just fall into your lap!

This long player is very difficult to find. If you do find a copy relatively easily, then you were lucky!

 

On to page 3 - The Blood Donor & The Radio Ham collection Page 3 - 'The Blood Donor' & 'The Radio Ham' collection ->

 

Use your browsers button to go back