Early Beanos Galore, Fireball XL5 Rarities and More Offered in Latest ComPal Auction

Beano Issue 5

If you’re a fan of The Beano or The Dandy, then the latest Compalcomicsnow live – is definitely up your street, with a large number of early issues on offer, along with an assortment of comics art that includes Dan DareRupert the Bear art from 1971 and a page of Oor Wullie by Dudley D. Watkins, published in 1965.

The company’s September auction delivered some superb results with a Beano Number One selling for £17,300, the complete Beano year of 1943 hammer at £2850 and the Beano Book 3 (1942) at £3050. Individual early issues continued in the high hundreds in fresh condition.

"Big Eggo" gets a serious comeuppance in this wartime issue of The Beano (Issue 71).

“Big Eggo” gets a serious comeuppance in this wartime issue of The Beano (Issue 71).


Dandy Comic Number 1 (1937) with original 4-page flyer for Dandy Numbers 1 and 2 (1937). Featuring the first adventures of Korky The Cat, Desperate Dan and Keyhole Kate. The Flyer is a mini-comic in its own right.

Dandy Comic Number 1 (1937) with original 4-page flyer for Dandy Numbers 1 and 2 (1937). Featuring the first adventures of Korky The Cat, Desperate Dan and Keyhole Kate. The Flyer is a mini-comic in its own right.

In this catalogue, along with more high grade Beanos and Magic-Beano books,  it’’s the turn of The Dandy with a file copy Number 1 and its original Flyer at lot 35 and Dandy Monster Comics 1, 2 and 3.
A wartime Dandy. Because comics were recycled due to paper shortages, these comics are quite rare.

A wartime Dandy. Because comics were recycled due to paper shortages, these comics are quite rare.

War years Christmas Dandys also feature as does the 1944 Dandy complete year where the condition of all 26 comics is exceptional. The Beano is led by a high grade Number 5 and more 1939 early issues between 12 and 75, all offered separately.

Also on offer is is Dudley Watkins Beano front cover artwork from 1969, one of the last he ever drew.

Beano original front cover artwork (1969) by Dudley Watkins for issue 1403 cover dated June 7 1969. A copy of the original comic is included in the lot. Biffo is reading his family tree as Captain Biffo of the King's Own Hussar's carried the news of victory at Waterloo to the King. He is rewarded with a new pair of Wellington's boots! One of Dudley Watkins last artworks before his death later that year. The Beano 'header' is an enlarged laser colour copy. The artwork is cut into 2 pieces (outside the panel borders) not affecting text or illustrations. Poster colour on cartridge paper. 22 x 15 ins

Beano original front cover artwork (1969) by Dudley Watkins for issue 1403 cover dated June 7 1969. A copy of the original comic is included in the lot. Biffo is reading his family tree as Captain Biffo of the King’s Own Hussar’s carried the news of victory at Waterloo to the King. He is rewarded with a new pair of Wellington’s boots! One of Dudley Watkins last artworks before his death later that year. The Beano ‘header’ is an enlarged laser colour copy. The artwork is cut into 2 pieces (outside the panel borders) not affecting text or illustrations. Poster colour on cartridge paper. 22 x 15 ins


Various 1950s and 1960s first issues of British comics offered in the 2015 Compalcomics auction. Included in the lot: Boy's World Number 1 (interior page competition cut-out), Buster 1, Junior Express 1, Junior Mirror 1, New Record Mirror 1, POW! 2, 3, Swift 1 (trimmed), Top Spot 1, and WHAM! 1 (with Leo Baxendale's 'The Wacks' introducing newcomers, The Rolling Stones!)

Various 1950s and 1960s first issues of British comics offered in the 2015 Compalcomics auction. Included in the lot: Boy’s World Number 1 (interior page competition cut-out), Buster 1, Junior Express 1, Junior Mirror 1, New Record Mirror 1, POW! 2, 3, Swift 1 (trimmed), Top Spot 1, and WHAM! 1 (with Leo Baxendale’s ‘The Wacks’ introducing newcomers, The Rolling Stones!)


Wham! Issue One (published in 1964) and POW! Issue One (published in 1967)

Wham! Issue One (published in 1964) and POW! Issue One (published in 1967)

The 1960s promote flat fresh copies of Beezer and Topper, first issues of Hurricane, TV Century 21 (including a  number one), Smash! Pow! and Wham! and numerous girls’ comics: Diana (with Golden Chain), June, Sally and Tina.

A great assembly of Fireball XL5 items is on offer.

A great assembly of Fireball XL5 items is on offer.

There’s also a nice lot of Fireball XL5-related items that includes the Fireball XL5 spaceship (1962) produced by Quercetti complete with XL5 Spaceship, decals, launching mechanism, spare nose-cone, parachute and instructions; and a Fireball XL5 lunchbox (1964) made by King-Seeley (without flask) medium overall wear and Fireball XL5 Annuals 1 and 2.

Dan Dare original artwork for Eagle Volume 9 No 49 (1958) by Don Harley. The small lower panel is a colour photocopy. These visuals were generally discarded once the finished artwork was completed and surviving pieces are rare. Notice the lower panel text 'for Pete's sake, look, sir!' was changed to 'Look, sir' in the final artwork (this board illustrated in Hawk Books No 8 'The Phantom Fleet') and the hand of editor the 'Rev' Marcus Morris may have been at play here. Watercolour on board. 14 x 14 ins

Dan Dare original artwork for Eagle Volume 9 No 49 (1958) by Don Harley. The small lower panel is a colour photocopy. These visuals were generally discarded once the finished artwork was completed and surviving pieces are rare. Notice the lower panel text ‘for Pete’s sake, look, sir!’ was changed to ‘Look, sir’ in the final artwork (this board illustrated in Hawk Books Number 8 ‘The Phantom Fleet) and the hand of editor the ‘Rev’ Marcus Morris may have been at play here. Watercolour on board. 14 x 14 ins

Rupert and the Popweed original artwork (1971) attributed to Alfred Bestall. From the 1971 Rupert Annual Page 42. With acetate overlay and tracing paper pencil outline taped to back board. Alfred Bestall prepared his signed outline drawings in indian ink which were then photographed on to acetate overlays prior to the normal printing process. Poster colour on board. 11 x 10 ins

Rupert and the Popweed original artwork (1971) attributed to Alfred Bestall. From the 1971 Rupert Annual Page 42. With acetate overlay and tracing paper pencil outline taped to back board. Alfred Bestall prepared his signed outline drawings in indian ink which were then photographed on to acetate overlays prior to the normal printing process. Poster colour on board. 11 x 10 ins


Rupert and the Popweed original artwork (1971) attributed to Alfred Bestall. From the 1971 Rupert Annual Page. 47.

Rupert and the Popweed original artwork (1971) attributed to Alfred Bestall. From the 1971 Rupert Annual Page. 47.

The US section highlights early Silver Age runs of Spider-Man, Avengers, Daredevil, Nick Fury and X-Men with Journey Into Mystery #83 and a superb cents copy of Hulk #181 in [vfn+] at lot 293. Finally there are 3 strong runs of Underground Comix and a fabulous high grade CGC run of The Walking Dead #1-8 from 2003.

View the November 2015 Compalcomics Auction her on the-saleroom.com

Compalcomics holds four auctions a year. Results of most auctions are posted online shortly after the closing date. Important Note: If you have a question about any of the items in the catalogue, please send an email to Compalcomics director Malcolm Phillips at this address: comicbook@compalcomics.com



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