The latest ComPal comics and comic art auction launched last week, closing on Sunday 6th June, and includes three lots of scarce 1920s Sexton Blake Library and the Waddington’s card game that goes with them. There are plenty of other great items too, including issues of Beano and Dandy for sale, plus “Garth” art by Frank Bellamy, “Charley’s War” by Joe Colquhoun, “Judge Dredd” by Ron Smith and other work by the likes of Roland Davies, Eric Parker, Roy Wilson and more.
Sexton Blake Card Game (1920s) Waddingtons. With original box, rules and complete 60 card set. Box [vg], cards as new
There some unusual items too, including a very rare Super-Detective Library full colour shop card illustrating the covers of No 1: Meet The Saint and No 2: Ernest Dudley The Armchair Detective, The card is signed by author Ernest Dudley.
Super-Detective Library (1953) full colour shop card illustrating the covers of No 1: Meet The Saint and No 2: Ernest Dudley The Armchair Detective. The card is signed by author Ernest Dudley. 6 x 10 ins. Rare
As well as the 1920s rarities on offer, Sexton Blake also stars in The Thriller from 1929 where ComPal offer the first 47 issues. The 1930s feature The Ranger1-112 complete run, The Surprise 1-26 and eleven Rupert Books from the maiden printing of 1936 through to the end of the 1940s
The Ranger (1933-35) 1-112 last issue including Special Jubilee Number. Bright covers, cream pages, rusty disintegrated staples
The New Adventures of Rupert (1936) – First Rupert book
The Beano is represented with a complete year bound volume of 1948, some strong 1950s and early 60s runs and a “Whoopee Hank” original artwork by Roland Davies from Beano No 21.
Whoopee Hank Xmas artwork (1938) by Roland Davies from The Beano No 21 Xmas issue. Our Slapdash Sheriff blows up the Christmas pud!. Indian ink highlighted with white on cartridge paper. 12 x 12 ins
The Dandy boasts 1954 and 1956 complete years and a scarce “Desperate Dan” propaganda war artwork by Dudley Watkins from 1941, where Dan captures a U-Boat to ring in the New Year!
There are some very good looking copies of the Beano and Dandy’s early stablemate Magic, too, a title cut short by paper rationing during World War Two.
Desperate Dan original artwork (1941) by Dudley Watkins for The Dandy No 162 (Jan 4 1941). Dan wants to ring in the New Year but the bell breaks, he becomes a human cannon ball, holes a U-Boat and rings in the New Year with it! Indian ink on board. 20 x 15 ins
Magic Comic No 48 (1940). Propaganda war issue with Herr Paul Pry the Nazi Spy strip
There are also complete years of Radio Fun from 1945-47, the third Broons Book of 1948 and Oor Wullie from 1949, plus complete years of Eagle.
Eagle Vol. 9 (1958) 1-52 complete year. Starring Dan Dare in Reign of the Robots, The Ship that Lived and the Phantom Fleet with The Happy Warrior – the life story of Winston Churchill by Frank Bellamy
The original artwork selection includes “Sexton Blake” by Eric Parker, “Black Bob” by Jack Prout, “The Daughter of Lorna Doone” by Ron Embleton,“Fireball XL5” from TV Century 21 by Mike Noble, “Gun Law” by Paddy Nevin, “Karl The Viking” by Don Lawrence, “Sons of Grizzlies” by Denis McLoughlin, “Charley’s War” by Joe Colquhoun, “Garth” by Frank Bellamy, “Judge Dredd” by Ron Smith, “Psychedelic Girl” by Junko Mizuno and “Sweeny Toddler” by Tom Paterson.
Garth: ‘The People of the Abyss’ two original artworks (1972) by Frank Bellamy for the Daily Mirror 18.10.72 and 10.11.72. Indian ink on board. 21 x 17 ins (x2)
Garth: ‘The Beast of Ultor’ two original artworks (1973) by Frank Bellamy for the Daily Mirror 25/30 January 1973. Indian ink on board. 21 x 17 ins (x2)
Garth: ‘The Wreckers’ two original artworks (1973) by Frank Bellamy (both signed) 24/28 Nov 1973. Indian ink on board. 21 x 17 (x2)
Garth: ‘The Bride of Jenghiz Khan (1974) two original artworks by Frank Bellamy (both signed) 18/24 Oct 1974. Indian ink on board. 21 x 17 ins (x2)
Charley’s War: four original artworks by Joe Colquhoun, signed to Page 4 , as published in Battle Action 266 (1979). October, 1916. “Operation Wotan” had reached its climax with the Judgement Troopers occupying ‘Downing Street’ in the third British line. Below, in a deep ex-German dugout known as ‘Ten Downing Street’, Charlie Bourne and his comrades were trapped!. Indian ink on cartridge paper. 17 x 15 ins each (4)
The Daughter of Lorna Doone: two consecutive original colour artworks by Ron Embleton (early Sixties) for Princess magazine. Angelina and Sir William’s secret is discovered as the house catches fire. Bright poster colours on board. 23 x 17 (2 artworks)
Karl the Viking original artwork (1964) drawn and signed by Don Lawrence for Lion 29 Feb 1964. In the final page of the story, Prince Ogor’s forces are defeated by Karl and his warriors on the treacherous ice. Pen and ink on board. 21 x 16 ins
Sons of Grizzlies original double page colour artwork painted and signed by Denis McLoughlin (1960) for The Buffalo Bill Annual No 12 pgs 30-31. Bright, fresh poster colour on board. 22 x 15 ins
Gun Law original colour artwork (1961) by Paddy Nevin for T.V. Express No 224 (1961). Marshall Matt Dillon and Chester fight off the mountain lions. Poster colour on board. 21 x 16 ins
Junko Mizuno signed original artwork sketch Psychedelic Girl, cute mouse and sizzling steaks (2014). Coloured marker pens on paper. 16 x 12 ins
Fireball XL5 original artwork by Mike Noble (1966) for TV Century 21 No 80, 1966, with original comic. Steve and Mat are attacked by Neolithic cave dwellers…. Poster colour on board (board slightly bowed). 21 x 17 ins
Sexton Blake/The Mystery of Moat Farm (1946) and the Secret of the Indian Lawyer (1953). Two original cover artworks by Eric Parker for Sexton Blake Library Nos 125 and 290, both also included. Poster colour on board, 16 x 13 ins each
Sexton Blake/Top Secret No 1 original cover artwork by Eric Parker from Sexton Blake Library No 248 (1954) from the Eric Parker Archive
Two World War Two original artworks (1950s) by Eric Parker (one signed). A commando attacking a German gun emplacement and the Resistance ambushing two German tanks. Black wash highlighted with white. 18 x 15 and 21 x 15 ins
Sweeny Toddler original artwork (1985) drawn and signed by Tom Paterson for Whizzer and Chips pg 2 (2nd Nov 1985), with original comic. Originally created by Leo Baxendale, Sweeny Toddler was drawn by Tom Paterson from the mid 1970s becoming the most famous and longest running artist to draw the strip. The tiny terror (Sweeny, not Tom) started in Shiver and Shake in 1972 becoming the cover star for Whoopee! in 1984, then Whizzer and Chips and surviving the merger with Buster in 1990. Tom Paterson also drew Grimly Feendish, Buster, The Beano’s Dennis The Menace, Minnie The Minx and The Bash Street Kids, The Dandy’s Beryl The Peril and Bananaman and Beezer’s the Banana Bunch and the Numbskulls (to name but a few). Indian ink on cartridge paper. 16 x 13 ins
Black Bob original artwork (1956) by Jack Prout for The Black Bob Book 5 (1957) included.. Indian ink on cartridge paper, framed and glazed. 16 x 14 ins
Judge Dredd original artwork by Ron Smith for 2000 AD prog 436 (1985). The Judge pays a call to the legendary ‘Smart Sweets’ conman Otto Sump. Indian ink on board. 22 x 17 ins
Roy Wilson original 4 strip artwork for Tip Top No 640 (1952). With Old Mother Riley original 2 strip artwork by Norman Ward for Film Fun (1941). Total 6 strips. From the Bob Monkhouse Archive
The auction house’s super run of No 1 and early issues with their free gifts continues, including Boy’s World 1 (complete with wonderful Pathfinder Wrist Compass free gift), Battle Picture Weekly, Captain Britain, Hornet, Misty, Nutty, Plug, Rover, TV Fun, Whoopee and 2000AD Prog 1 with its red Space Spinner.
Boy’s World (1963-64) Vol 1: 1-49, Vol 2: 1-40. The complete 89 issues run before amalgamation with Eagle. Free gifts with No 1: Pathfinder Compass, No 2: Magic Note Pad, No 36: Soccer Extra and Vol 2: No 9: Book of Secret Powers. Wrath of The Gods and The Iron Man by Ron Embleton, Ghost World by Frank Bellamy, Brett Million by Frank Langford with Embleton and Brian Lewis cover art
Football comics + Football free gifts in Comics (1950s-70s). Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly (March 1958) Duncan Edwards cover (published just before the Munich Air Disaster), Lion 361 (1959) wfg Football Quiz Wheel, Lion and Champion (14 Oct ’67) wfg Lion Club badge, Shoot! (6 Sept ’69) wfg Bobby Moore Stand-up colour figure, Tiger and Hurricane (14 Oct ’67) wfg Roy Race’s Album of Football Club Badges. 1970s: Scoop 1 wfg Big Event Sports Diary and 3 different Scoop Flyers, Score’n’Roar 1, 2 wfgs Football League Tables 1969-70, Scorcher 1, 2, 3 all wfgs League and F.A. Cup Wall Charts and No 1 Flyer, Strike 1 wfg Dial-A-Striker Rosette
T.V. Fun (1953-56) 1, 2 wfg Star Show Album and photos, 39 wfg Acrobatic Glider, 157-159, 166 wfgs Spotters Book of Car Crests with most car crests attached
New Hotspur 1 (1959). Starring the Boyhood of Desperate Dan, The Blitz Kids and The Twelve Keys of Courage
Radio Fun (Nov 7 1959) Fireworks issue with Superman cover and Superman vs Metallo illustrated story
Battle Picture Weekly (1975) No 1 wfg Combat Badges of WWII, No 2 wfg Into Battle Poster, No 3 wfg 80 Battle Swap Cards complete set (you had to win a Battle competition to get them all!) and Battle 18 Sept 1982 wfg SAS Badge No 1
Misty 1 (1978) wfg Luxury Charm Bracelet
Action Man 1 with wfg Panini Sticker Book and Stickers, Captain Planet 1, Captain Scarlet 1 wfg Frisbee, Joe 90 1 wfg WIN Badge, Space Above and Beyond 1 wfg Wild Cards Badge, Stingray 1 wfg Stingray Badge, Thunderbirds 1 (1999) wfg Stickers, Thunderbirds (1991) 1, 2 wfg Thunderbirds Notebook, Thunderbirds Are Go 1 (1995) wfg Technical Manual, Toxic 1, Toxic Crusaders 1 wfg Badge
The US section includes Golden Age: All-Flash, Batman, Black Cat Mystery, Detective Comics and Marvel Mystery Comics with #1 issues of Amazing Adventures, Atomic Attack, All-American Western, Black Hood, Boy Commandos, Cannonball, Captain Flash, Grit Grady, Ibis The Invincible, Mary Marvel, Mystic, Pep Comics, Real Hit, Rocketman, Warrior and Centaur’s Wham Comics.
The Silver Age highlights first issues of Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, Flying Saucers, Green Lantern, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Giant-Size X-Men with good runs of most of those titles as well, right through to the Bronze and Modern Age.
Look out too, for a copy of Dell’s adaptation of the Doctor Who and the Daleks film, and copies of Charlton’s Bionic Woman, among other goodies!
Postal and fax bids need to be with us by Friday 4th June and Compal will enter them on your behalf in thesaleroom.com/Comic Book Auctions website closing on Sunday 6th June from 2.00 pm
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.
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