
© Bill Watterson
In collaboration with The National Cartoonists Society and major strip syndicators, Heritage Auctions is hosting The National Cartoonists Society Foundation’s Thanks + Giving Auction, a unique auction featuring original comic art from more than 100 internationally-renowned creators. Proceeds from winning bids will go to Direct Relief, benefitting victims of recent natural disasters.
A “Calvin and Hobbes” strip by Bill Watterson, is, unsurprisingly, attracting huge bids, current running at $6500. It’s a full-colour, hand-signed print of the very last Calvin and Hobbes strip, the strip a masterful way to go out… full of hope and excitement and energy.
The auction – which closes on Thursday (30th November 2017) – comes in the wake of the deadly disasters that have recently devastated communities in the US Gulf states of Texas and Florida, Mexico, and especially Puerto Rico. The cartooning community has come together to use their unique gifts and talents to raise money to help the victims.

Sal Amendola – Lone Ranger and Tonto Preliminary Painting Original Art
Altogether, more than 125 internationally-renowned creators have donated original artwork, such as Sal Amendola (DC Comics), Tom Armstrong, Isabella Bannerman, Jim Borgman (Zits), John Cassaday, Barbara Dale, Richard L. Diesslin, Cathy Guisewite (Cathy), Al Jaffee (MAD Magazine), Michael Jantze (The Norm), Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), Jeff Keane (The Family Circus), Rick Kirkman (Baby Blues), Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Luke McGarry (Sad Chewie), Steve McGarry, Bill Morrison, Tom Richmond (MAD Magazine), Rick Stromoski (MAD Magazine), Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury) and Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey).
Vintage comic strips and comic art will also be available to bid on, including work by Milton Caniff, Dan DeCarlo ((Archie), Mell Lazarus (Momma and Miss Peach), Morrie Turner (Wee Pals), Brad Anderson (Marmaduke), Brant Parker (The Wizard of Id), Chester Gould (Dick Tracy), and more.
Many of the strips appeared in papers across the US on Thanksgiving Day with a message directing readers to the auction website where they can bid on the original art for that strip, along with the other unique pieces in the auction.
“Cartoonists are blessed to have the ability to make people laugh or inform their opinions with our little doodles on paper,” NCS president Bill Morrison remarked. “But we’re so much more gratified to be able to give aid and comfort to people in desperate, possibly life-threatening situations through the mere sale of our original art.”
The NCS has enlisted the help of Heritage Auctions, the industry leader in the field of comic and cartoon art, to conduct the auction. All proceeds from the auction will be sent to Direct Relief, a leading medical relief organisation, active in all 50 states and over 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – regardless of politics, religion, or ability to pay.
This is a rare chance for fans of comics and collectors of comic art to obtain a unique piece of memorabilia, and at the same time give aid and comfort to those who still desperately need help.
• You can bid on lots here on the Heritage Auctions web site. The auction closes on 30th November 2017
• Direct Relief Official Site: www.directrelief.org
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
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: Auctions, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds