Captain Scarlet art by Frank Bellamy for TV 21 Issue 192, published in 1968.
The Winter 2013 auction at Compalcomics is open, with 290 lots in the auction including 115 British comic-related items – among them, a further 64 issues of Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday from the 1890s and the complete 20 issue run of Scoops, Britain’s first sci-fi weekly magazine from 1934.
And, while this site is devoted to British comics, we’re pretty sure a good looking copy of Marvel’s Amazing Fantasy #15 – featuring the first appearance of Spider-Man – is likely to cause considerable interest, even with a reserve of £1500.
On offer: a complete run of Scoops, Britain’s first science fiction weekly featuring Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Poison Belt’ in issues 14-18.
There are a further five early issue Dandy proof covers from 1939, Beano Books 1 and 2 and Beano complete bound volumes for 1947, 1956 and 1957. Topper 1953 and 1954 complete years also make their appearance, possibly the first time that issues 1-99 have ever been offered at auction in bound volumes.
The rare Australian Garth comic.
The Daily Mirror’s Garth also makes a rare appearance with the complete 24 issue Australian run of his comics including his origin in issue 1. There’s a fine run of Wizard bound volumes from 1946-51 with their star athlete, “Wilson – Seeker Of Champions”.
The first Buster Book.
Mickey Mouse Weekly is well represented with complete years 1955-57 and there’s a scarce copy of the first Buster Book starring the eponymous son of Andy Capp.
TV Century 21 with decoder gift is expected to sell for between £550 and £600
TV Century 21 No 1 with Top Secret Decoder at lot 88 is the highest grade copy ComPal have ever offered and it is followed by issues 2-5 in the same condition with a magnificent Frank Bellamy original front cover artwork of TV 21 No 192 starring Captain Scarlet.
Danger Man original artwork by Jesus Blasco for Lion 30 July 1966
Danger Man is on offer, too, with artwork by Jesus Blasco and the great man himself, Patrick McGoohan, has signed a copy of one of his posters with certificate of authenticity. On the theme of secret agents, a set of James Bond’s Secret Spy figures is also on offer with 10 blister packs intact so arch-villians Odd Job and Dr No are unable to break free.
More agents are abroad with Barracuda, The Spider and The Steel Claw starring in Fleetway Super Library’s Fantastic / Stupendous opus, and Lady Penelope’s first issue hangs around to grab some of the action– she’s not fazed. Also It’s Terrific that issues 1, 2 and 3 with near mint free gifts gather together.
A selection of Eagle-related offerings in one lot that includes Eagle Warship kits features in the auction.
There are also a number of Eagle and Dan Dare lots – including Eagle Warship kits – and a page of Adam Eterno art by Solano Lopez, rounding off a varied British section to this online auction.
The origin of Adam Eterno is retold in this page by Solano Lopez for a 1960s issue of Valiant.
The auction’s US section includes a strong selection of Golden Age titles with Action Comics, Archie, Adventure, Detective Comics and Superman to the fore with Frazetta’s Famous Funnies #210 and Journey Into Unknown Worlds 36 (#1) in Fine grades of special interest. The 1950s pre-code horror /EC section includes Journey Into Fear, Mr Mystery, MAD 1-10, Racquet Squad In Action #12 and The Thing! #12. A high grade Weird Science-Fantasy #29 with Frazetta classic cover completes that line-up.
A bright, fresh lightly restored copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, the first appearance of Spider-Man.
The Silver Age attracts with Amazing Fantasy #15, Amazing Spider-Man #50, Brave And The Bold #28, Daredevil #1 and Strange Tales #110, all cents copies with low grade Avengers and Fantastic Four first issues also offered.
• Bidding closes on Tuesday 26th November at 8 PM UK time.Compalcomics holds four auctions a year. Results of most auctions are posted online shortly after the closing date. Web: www.compalcomics.com
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. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek 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.
Categories: Auctions, British Comics, Classic British Comics, downthetubes Comics News, Featured News
Compalcomics auction offers first edition Beano, Roy of the Rovers and Star Trek art