Dan Dare, Eagle, Beano, Thunderbirds and TV21 gems in latest ComPal auction

Two Dan Dare sketches by Don Harley are being offered in September's ComPal auction

Two Dan Dare sketches by Don Harley are being offered in September’s ComPal auction

 

Two gorgeous Don Harley-created Dan Dare sketches, rare Beano and Dandy issues from World War Two and plenty of Fleetway Picture Library items are just a few of the lots in the September ComPal comic auction, which has just opened for bidders.

The Dan Dare and Digby original sketches offered, drawn in 1988, are  in Indian ink and crayon both signed by Don, who remains a regular contributor to the Dan Dare-inspired title Spaceship Away.

 

Eagle Volume 1 (1950-51)

Eagle Volume 1 (1950-51)

 

The Dan Dare sketches are just one Eagle-related lot, as also on offer are complete volumes, unbound, of the first seven years of Eagle, the comic where Dan Dare first appeared.

 

Beano comics from 1944

Beano comics from 1944 – more info here

 

1950s issues of The Beano

1950s issues of The Beano

 

Beano and Dandy fans will be interested in some of the other lots, as, along with early promotional items for The Dandy, they include a large number of rare wartime issues of both comics (given that paper was rationed and recycled, there aren’t many of these about). Post war issues of The Beano from the 1950s are also among the lots as is the only Dandy to feature “Keyhole Kate” on the cover.

This 1945 edition of the The Dandy is the only issue to feature Keyhole Kate on the cover. (Korky was relegated to half a page at the back)

This 1945 edition of the The Dandy is the only issue to feature Keyhole Kate on the cover. (Regular cover star Korky the Cat was relegated to half a page at the back)

 

As usual, a number of comic artists’ work features in the auction, including further offerings of “Desperate Dan” and  “Oor Wullie” art by Dudley Watkins, a page of a “Custer” story from JAG by Geoff Campion and a Thunderbirds page by Frank Bellamy from TV Century 21. A number of TV Century 21 comics are on offer, too, including a Holiday Special girls comic alternative, Lady Penelope.

Oor Wullie original artwork drawn and signed by Dudley Watkins for The Sunday Post 20 April 1958

Oor Wullie original artwork drawn and signed by Dudley Watkins for The Sunday Post, 20th April 1958

Thunderbirds original artwork  for TV21 by Frank Bellamy

Thunderbirds original artwork for TV21 by Frank Bellamy

TV Century 21 (1965-66)

TV Century 21 (1965-66)

 

Lady Penelope Summer Extra (1966)

Lady Penelope Summer Extra (1966)

 

There’s also some superb Cowboy Picture Library  original cover artwork on offer by Studio Ami artist Alessandro Biffignandi for Cowboy Picture Library 440, published in 1962 – along with numerous Picture Library lots, including Air Ace and Giant War.

 

Cowboy Picture Library 'Raw Deal' original cover artwork (1962)

Cowboy Picture Library ‘Raw Deal’ original cover artwork (1962)

 

Overall it’s another feast of British comics nostalgia, and there are many US comic lots up for grabs, too, including Issue 50 of Amazing Spider-Man with a great cover from John Romita (senior). In a major move for the British comics auction house, the company has now teamed up with the-saleroom.com to provide bidders with real time bidding details, viewable online, as bids are placed. To register to bid, just click on this link to the-saleroom.com and follow the instructions.

You can still view and browse lots at Compalcomics using the familiar format, but you can no longer submit your bids there. Postal bids are still being accepted and not be viewable unless they are bettered – just like eBay. You will also no longer need to telephone or email us to raise your bids as all the latest bids will be viewable online in real time at the-saleroom.com. To include their commission of 3%+VAT the new buyer’s premium will be 14%.

• If you have a question about any of the items in the catalogue, send an email to Compalcomics director Malcolm Phillips at comicbookATcompalcomics.com. Visit ComPal at www.compalcomics.com



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