Original Giles World War Two Navy cartoon blows estimated sale price out of the water

By John Freeman on March 17, 2026 • ( 0 )

An original World War Two Giles cartoon, first published in Laughs with the Navy some 80 years ago, was sold at auction this week for much more than expected, by Exeter-based Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood, as part of their latest Sporting & Collectors Auction.

The artwork was estimated to sell for £100 – £120, but sold to an online bidder for £1400.

“What do they call you - Snow White?" - cartoon for Laughs with the Navy by Giles (1944) — *“What do they call you – Snow White?” – cartoon for Laughs with the Navy by Giles (1944)*

Published during World War Two, Laughs with the Navy was one of several booklets published by S. Evelyn Thomas, Giles just one of several contributors, part of a “Laughs With” series that included Laughs on the Home Front, Laughs with the Forces, Laughs with the RAF, and Laughs around the Land.

Copies of these 48-page magazines do turn up on eBay from time to time, prices varied depending on their condition.

Giles is known to have had a great affection for the senior service. This, combined with his subtle humour in favour of the underdog, always made a good cartoon.

One former sailor recalls the much-admired cartoonist visiting HMS Hermes in 1983 and doing some drawings, then auctioned off to the ships company when it was decommissioned in 1984, “along with anything else that wasn’t nailed down”.

*One of Giles Royal Navy-inspired cartoons for the Daily Express, published on 2nd August 1970*

Based in Exeter, Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood are the largest fine art and antiques auctioneers and valuers in the South West of England. Their next Sporting & Collectors Auction will take place on 4th August 2026, and another on 3rd November.

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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.