Corto Maltese art by Hugo Pratt, and more, offered in latest Catawiki International Comic Art Auction

By John Freeman on May 2, 2022

An original plate from the Corto Maltese story “La Jeunesse de Corto”, published in 1981, with art by Hugo Pratt is, unsurprisingly, commanding fierce bidding in this week’s Catawiki International Comic Art Auction.

“As the original illustrations of this album are rare on the market, very few collectors realise that these strips are quite large,” notes the seller. Indeed, each panel measures 15 x 15 cm, meaning a full strip measures 45 cm x 15 cm – which makes it look rather spectacular on a wall

La Jeunesse de Corto Maltese, set during the Franco-Russian War of 1904 – 1905, is very famous in Italy and in the French-speaking countries.

Also on offer in this week’s auction…

A original “Torpedo” illustration by the brilliant Jordi Bernet

A very beautiful page by John Heijink, entirely in colour (ecoline), from the first part of Willem van Oranje – De opstand, published in album by Uitgeverij Arboris in 2021

A page from “Robot Archie in The Crystal Leopard”, from Lion, first published in 1967, art by Ted Kearon

A page from the “Trigan Empire” story, “The Invisible Ray”, art by Don Lawrence, first published in Look and Learn in 1968

Another “Andy Capp” strip from the Daily Mirror, by his creator, Reg Smythe

A romance novel cover by Manfred Somer

• The Catawiki International Comic Art Auction closes at 7.00pm on Thursday 5th May 2022 – view all lots 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.