Blake & Mortimer tribute art, a “Robot Archie” original and more, on offer in latest Catawiki auction

By John Freeman on January 3, 2022

This week’s Catawiki International Comic Art Auction, closing at 7.00pm Thursday 6th January 2022, includes a marvellous Blake & Mortimer cover homage by Slaviša Ćirović, more “Robot Archie” by Ted Kearon, and another piece of “Trigan Empire” art by Don Lawrence.

Over 70 artworks are on offer, vintage British comic art rubbing shoulders with modern and classic European comics, single illustrations and covers.

Slaviša Ćirović is a Serbian comic artist and editor and publisher, who has been active since the mid-1970s, and co-founder of Lucky Media Studio. On offer is an A3-size imaginary cover in tribute to cult series Blake & Mortimer, for what could be the complete story of Le Mystère de la Grande Pyramide (“The Mystery of the Great Pyramid”). It’s a fun piece!

Blake & Mortimer homage by Slaviša Ćirović

Also on offer this week…

“Kareltje de dinosaurus” art by Jean Dulieu, aka Jan van Oort (1921 – 2006), creator of the long-running character Paulus the Boskabouter, whose adventures were published in Het Vrije Volk from 1946.

Dulieu was an award-winning all-rounder, a versatile and virtuoso artist whose skill and talent kept pace with his pursuit of perfection, reflected in this quirky cover art for Eva magazine, published in 1963.

A charming original painting by José González, titled “The Secret of the Seashore”, dated as created in the 1980s, but with no further information offered

José González - “The Secret of the Seashore”, art (1980s)

A “Robot Archie” page from Lion, from the 1967 story “The Mystery of the Giant Bats”, with regular artist Ted Kearon in fine form as the mechanical marvel leaps to action

Robot Archie in action by Ted Kearon, art from “The Mystery of the Giant Bats” (1967)

An original polychrome composition of Barney Jordan, fully-painted artwork presented by his much-admired creator, Hermann, on drawing paper, with a very refined Indian ink line.

Finally, there’s this page by Don Lawrence from “The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire” story for Look and Learn, “Evil from Outer Space”, first published in 1973, which has the look of a nod to the Quatermass TV series of the 1950s about it!

A page by Don Lawrence from “The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire” story for Look and Learn, “Evil from Outer Space” (1973)

• Check out items offered by Catawiki in their International Comic Art category – ends at 7.00pm Thursday 6th January 2022

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.