1970s Robot Archie story opener offered in latest Catawiki International Original Comics Art Auction

By John Freeman on August 1, 2022

While there’s some great European art in the latest Catawiki International Original Comics Art Auction, including work by Jan Dirk van Exter, Rene Follet and Sanjulian, there are just two British comics strip boards in this week’s regular auction.

After months of boards from the 1970 Robot Archie adventure, “The Lost World” being sold via Catawiki, we finally see the first page on offer this week, with art by Ted Kearon. Archie is fuming, because “Steel Commando” has usurped his place in Lion, a topic of conversation throughout the story.

Robot Archie - The Lost World - art by Ted Kearon (1970)

As the art reveals, “Steel Commando” had taken Robot Archie’s place in Lion, and this page reveals how the adventures of both were being told in the weekly comic.

Another great “Trigan Empire” page from the story “City Without Memory” by Don Lawrence is on offer, too, first published in 1969 in Look and Learn.

The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire - City Without Memory (1969) - art by Don Lawrence

• Check out the full catalogue for this week’s Catawiki International Original Comics Art Auction here – closing at 7.00pm Thursday 4th August 2022

Potential Additional International Auction Costs

This advice box was last updated on Friday 6th May 2022

The UK’s departure from the European Union means there may be additional import duties on sales.

Prior to Brexit, the effective rate of UK tax on imports of art was 5%, which is lower than most other European countries. An owner could previously import an artwork to the UK from outside the EU and was then free to transport it to other EU countries, where the import tax rates may be higher, without incurring any further import-related tax charges. If the owner then wished to bring the artwork back to the UK, there would also have been no further tax charge.

The Guardian previously reported that online orders up to £135 are now supposed to have the UK’s prevailing VAT rate added at the point of sale by the EU retailer, which has to have registered with HM Revenue & Customs.

While buying from European sellers carries the sting of larger costs, the auction house Catawiki does now endeavour to provide an estimate of those in its lot descriptions.

Unfortunately, many smaller EU-based retailers have decided that the paperwork of collecting UK VAT is not worth the hassle and as a result will no longer supply UK consumers. It has also meant that some British sellers will no longer export to Europe.

This apolitical guide outlines what you should be aware of when buying or selling art internationally but is a work in progress

• Don’t forget Catawiki runs several regular auctions, including a dedicated US Comics auction, too – check out all the current lots on offer here

John Freeman

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.