The Compalcomics August/September auction catalogue has just launched on the-saleroom.com and includes a number of early Beanos and plenty of Number One issues of various comics complete with with free gifts, including The Hornet from 1963, the girls comic Romeo, a rare early TV Century 21 with free gift and many more.
Offered in this auction is a clean copy of The Beano Number 1 with its original flyer and further early issues between Numbers 7-51 – all offered separately. There’s also a long run of wartime Dandy Christmas numbers and complete years of the issues published in 1948 and 1949, in exceptionally high grades. The Beano 1943 year is also available in the same condition and there’s a fresh looking Beano Book from 1942 as well.
The first four Mickey Mouse Weekly comics stand out for attention as do good runs of G.G.Swan’s wartime propaganda favourites, New Funnies and Thrill Comics.
There’s also a near complete set of Mickey Mouse Weekly published in 1956 (missing 7 Apr, 25 Aug and 1 September) starring Mickey and his pals and “Strongbow” by Ron Embleton.
Girls comics fans may also be interested in DC Thomson’s Romeo Number One, published in 1957, offered with free gift Rock ‘N’ Roll Wishing Ring – and there are more issues of the romance comic on offer, too – and if so, you may also be interested in a job lot of Diana, which also includes issues of Jackie and the young children’s comic, Candy; or the early issues of Lady Penelope under the hammer, or DC Thomsons’ often much sought-after Spellbound, strangely offered with copies of Champ!
A Book Of Space Adventures published in 1963 by Atlas features art by Ron Turner, is offered alongside Rockets, Jets, Guided Missiles and Space Ships book published in 1951.
A copy of Hornet Issue 1, launched in 1963 is up for auction, complete with a free gift balsa wood Kestrel Glider, the comic featuring “Bouncing Briggs”, “The Miracle Man from Mars” and “Gibson of the Guns”.
There’s also a complete run of Hurricane (published in 1964-65), including the 1968 Hurricane Annual, a comic featuring “Typhoon Tracey”, “Skid Solo”, “Sword For Hire” and “Rod the Odd Mod”. The title merged with Tiger in May 1965, and copies of Tiger and Hurricane are on offer, too.
One of the most elusive 1960s free gifts is TV Century 21 Number 3’s Fireball XL5 cut out and build model and this auction has most of it offered along with a facsimile card of the rest – and there are other issues of the Gerry Anderson TV series-inspired comic on offer, too, including a copy of the 1965 TV21 Summer Extra, offered with Cosmic Capers free gift and other TV21-related specials.
Into the 1970s, there’s a lot of Action Holiday Specials on offer, (1977, 1979, 1980) with an issue of Action cover dated 16th July 1977, from the archive of Fleetway editor, Jan Shepheard; and some early issues of Spider-Man Comics Weekly from 1973 onwards.
The auction house’s final selection of Dalek Swapit models are con-gre-gat-ing a few lots further on and some mouth-wateringly rare Scottish edition Vulcan comics, proof issues and unread Holiday Specials make up the final part from the archive of Jan Shepheard, the long time Fleetway art editor.
Art on offer in this catalogue includes a 1962 page of “Erik the Viking” (originally Karl) artwork by Don Lawrence for Lion (cover dated 17th February 1962, re-used and re-titled for SMASH comic in the late 1960s), and a double page “Kelly’s Eye” spread by Solano Lopez from Valiant, published in the issue cover dated 18th August 1971, in which the indestructible Tim Kelly, protected by the Eye of Zoltec, takes on Wisemann, a tyrannical leader of the half-civilised giants.
Also on offer is a great Oor Wullie artwork by Dudley Watkins, published in 1958, where the dog runs off with his Beezers and drops them in the river.
There’s lots more to browse through but for a real rarity, you might want to check out the offer of DC Comics Super Friends All Action Transfers produced by Letraset, releaased in 1976 and showcasing Batman, Batgirl, Superman, Aquaman and the Flash.
The US Golden Age section highlights a CGC 7.0 copy of Batman #6 and a 1941 Superman Comics #8 at No Reserve. EC comics and Captain Marvel are well represented and 22 lots of Amazing Spider-Man lead the Silver and Bronze Age. A timely first Ant-Man appearance coincides with the current Hollywood movie and Tales To Astonish #27 awaits at lot 254. Runs of Fantastic Four, Thor, X-Men, Miracleman and some groovy Undergrounds complete the picture.
• Compalcomics continue to team up with the-saleroom.com to provide collectors with real time bidding, viewable online, as bids are placed by customers who have registered their details. Check out the auction here on the-saleroom.com
Compalcomics holds four auctions a year. If you have a question about any of the items in the catalogue (note some images above feature part lots), please send an email to Compalcomics director Malcolm Phillips at comicbook@compalcomics.com
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Auctions, British Comics, downthetubes Comics News, Merchandise