Three original “Dan Dare” portraits by Frank Hampson head to auction

By John Freeman on September 16, 2025 • ( 0 )

An auction of modern art by Essex-based Sworders next month includes three original “Dan Dare” artworks by his creator, Frank Hampson, painted in the 1970s and 1980s.

Dan Dare, signed and dated "Frank Hampson 1980" , watercolour and gouache, 41 x 29cm

Featuring the Eagle comic’s Dan Dare, batman Digby and their arch-enemy, the Mekon, the present owner’s spouse worked with the Frank at Epsom College, where he taught in the early 1980s.

All three artworks are framed and have valuation estimate of £300.

The Modern and Contemporary Art auction will take place online and in person on Tuesday 7th October 2025, starting at 10.00am. You can register to bid here on the Sworders web site – or through The Saleroom.

Where tradition meets innovation, Sworders are proud to be one of the UK’s most esteemed fine art auction houses with an international reputation and a legacy dating back to 1782.

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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as 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.