The amount of British comic art offered as part of two similarly titled International Comic Art auctions on the auction site Catawiki has been fairly minimal in recent months, but this week sees a number of items up for sale, across two auctions, one closing today.

In the International Original Comics Art Auction, curated by Filippo Piras, closing today, Monday 10th July 2023, the most sought item by collectors appears to be a page from “The Trigan Empire” by Don Lawrence, from the 1975 story, “The Man from the Future”, first published in Look and Learn.

An episode of the “Modesty Blaise” newspaper strip, from the story, “A Flowers for the Colonel“, drawn by Neville Colvin, is in the same auction.

In the same auction, you’ll also find a vibrant page bringing life to scenes from “Pirates of Penzance”, painted by Andrew Howat, for issue 794 of Look and Learn; and a dramatic “Robot Archie” page by Ted Kearon, from the 1966 story titled “The Jungle Menace”, first published in Lion.

In the similarly named International Original Comics Art Auction, curated by Louis Girard, closing on Thursday 13th July, there even more to savour including another “Robot Archie” page by Ted Kearon from the story “The Curse of Dragon Island”, first published in Lion in 1964.

As you can see, on this page, Kearon employs a painted wash to the opening panel, something I’d expect on an annual story, but not in Lion itself.

Also in the auction: three “Modesty Blaise” strips from the story, “The Balloonatic“, by Neville Colvin in the same lot, published in 1982; two astonishing-looking pages by Alfonso Font, from an adaptation of Peter the Whaler by WHG Kingston, published in Look and Learn No. 620, cover dated 1st August 1973; a page from the story “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” for Once Upon a Time, by Juan Gonzalez; a “People You See” illustration for a 1965 issue of Teddy Bear comic by Mike Hubbard; a “Paddy Payne” board for the story “Unlucky Squadron 13” by cutaway artist Peter Sarson; an “Andy Capp” strip, No. 2132, for the Daily Mirror, by his original creator, Reg Smythe; a “Down to the Black Sea” page by Ferdinando Tacconi first published in Look and Learn No. 68 (1963); and a page titled “Watching Windmills” to illustrate an adaptation of Tf “The Dog of Flanders”, from the 1974 School Friend annual, by Giorgio Trevisan.

• Check out the International Original Comics Art Auction, curated by Filippo Piras, closing today, Monday 10th July 2023

• Check out the International Original Comics Art Auction, curated by Louis Girard, closing on Thursday 13th July

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.

Categories: Art and Illustration, Auctions, British Comics, Comic Art, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds

Tags: Adventure Comics, Alfonso Font, Andy Capp, Catawiki International Comic Art Auction, Catawiki International Original Comics Art Auction, Don Lawrence, downthetubes News, Ferdinando Tacconi, Giorgio Trevisan, Juan Gonzalez, Lion, Look and Learn, Modesty Blaise, Neville Colvin, Paddy Payne, Peter Sarson, Reg Smythe, Robot Archie, Ted Kearon, The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire