Nestling in an auction from Charterhouse Auctioneers, due to take place on Friday 24th June 2016, is the cover to an early issue of Marvel’s Thor, drawn by Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta.
The original artwork for the cover of The Mighty Thor, Issue 159, December 1968, which has an estimated sale price of between £5000 – £8000 is in ink and white paint, measuring 44 x 29 cm (including margin).
The Mighty Thor Issue 159 is something of a re-telling of the Thunder God’s origin story written by Stan Lee, opening on Thor’s alter-ego, Doctor Don Blake, worn out from surgery and resting in his hospital office and recalling Thor’s visit to Asgard, shortly after finding Mjolnir in Norway.
Odin brings him out of his reverie, and tells him how Thor became Don Blake. He explains that he placed Mjolnir in a Norwegian cave after Thor, as Don, learned humility. The Thunder God realises that although he is Don Blake in spirit, he has always been Thor.
Strangely, the cover art seems to be the only comics-related item in the catalogue offering a huge number of planes, trains and automobiles dating from the 1920s onwards.
“There are thousands of models which have come from clients across Somerset and Dorset, Devon and Hampshire,” commented auctioneer Richard Bromell. “Many are mint and boxed, just the way collector’s like them, but some have been enjoyed by children over the years and are in a play worn condition.”
Dating to just before the World War Two are a collection of painted lead toys from their only ever owner. Originally played with by the owner as a child, he might have been inspired to serve for King as Country as he ended up as a Captain in the Navy.
Included is a large boxed set of Britains Types of the British Army with sets of Lancers and Guards, estimated at £200-400 and a rare Skybirds airfield complete with airplanes, hangers, service personnel and even wind socks made from cardboard, which is also estimated at £200-400.
Also on offer is a vast collection of modern Corgi and other collector’s edition lorries and other vehicles. Amassed by the owner’s late husband, these mint and boxed sets filled nearly half a van and are estimated to sell for thousands of pounds.
Also from a deceased estate, but this time in Yeovil, are a huge number of trains, coaches, wagons and related items. Collected by a father who meticulously put it all away after use, everything has remained in excellent condition, and includes Hornby, Wrenn, Bachmann, Rivarossi and other manufactures with West Country named locomotives such as Dorchester and Lyme Regis, with this collection estimated at £5,000-8,000.
• Viewing for this auction of collector’s items at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne is on Wednesday 22nd & Thursday 23rd June, or you can download a catalogue from www.charterhouse-auction.com
• View and bid on item here on the-saleroom web site
• More about the Marvel Comics Thor on the Might Thor Library site
Thor © Marvel Comics
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, Comic Art, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
Look at the beautiful fine ink lines that Vince Colletta laid down that were obscured in the printed copy. Worth every penny of the asking price, for sure. Jack at his best!