“Andy Capp”, “Davy Jones” and “Modesty Blaise” art offered in latest Catawiki International Comic Art Auction

By John Freeman on April 10, 2022

This week’s Catawiki International Comic Art Auction closes on Thursday 14th April 2022, and includes some great newspaper strip artworks, including a “Modesty Blaise” from the original artist’s vaults.

Here are some auction highlights, including the art created for British strips and comics…

A Captain America book cover for the a Spanish market by Eduardo Alpuente

A haunting page from the French Korrigans series by Emmanuel Civiello, written by Thomas Mosdi

A frankly stunning page by Franz for the one-shot “Mémoire d’un 38”, published as a hardcover by Arboris in 1991, a story written by Jean-Luc Fromental

Artist José Gonsález is well represented in this auction, with several covers, one a 1980’s book cover, “The Lord and Mary Ann”, another romance or spy thriller cover here – and a signed page from the comic strip, “Mamba”

An original page from the series Ulysse 1781 by Eric Hérenguel.

Powerful, manga war comics action from Hiroshi Kaizuka, for the story Zero Battle, published in 1967

A page from the “Robot Archie” story, “Archie and the Mole Man”, first published in Lion in 1964, drawn by the brilliant Ted Kearon

Robot Archie” story, “Archie and the Mole Man“ by Ted Kearon

A page from the “Trigan Empire” story “The Revolt of the Lokans”, first published in Look and Learn in 1966, painted by Don Lawrence

An example of the American sea-adventure newspaper strip “Davy Jones”, a spinoff of Sam Leff’s Curley “Kayoe”, drawn by Al McWilliams, first published in 1962

A “Modesty Blaise” strip by Enrique Badia Romero, offered by the artist himself

A signed print of a cheeky cover with obvious homage to Hergé by Pascal Schokaert, for the album Vlechtje – Strips op wielen

An “Andy Capp” strip by the character’s creator, Reg Smythe

• Bidding on lots in this auction closes at 7.00pm on Thursday 14th April 2022 – check out the full catalogue here

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.