Dominic Winter Auctions offers Keith Watson “Dan Dare” art, “Captain Pugwash” and more in upcoming

By John Freeman on December 8, 2022

Hot on the heels of our item on this week’s Catawiki International Original Comics Art Auction featuring a page from the “Dan Dare” story “The Red Moon Mystery”, comes news that two more artworks featuring Britain’s best-known SF comic hero go under the hammer next week.

As part of an auction of Books, Maps, Playing Cards, and more, Cirencester-based auction house Dominic Winter Auctions is offering tow non consecutive pages of Dan Dare art by Keith Watson, first published in Volume 15 of the original Eagle in the 1960s.

Created in watercolour and ink, the first pages is from the story “The Wandering World”, featuring Dan Dare and right hand man, Digby, examining a metal structure in space, signed, marked up as Volume 15 – 11/1 (No. 11, Page 1), the cover of Eagle cover dated 14th March 1964; the other, from the story “All Treens Must Die”, depicts Dan Dare and Sondar trying to stop Treens committing mass suicide using a neuro-trembler anti-mob gun, marked up as Volume 15 – 31/2 (No. 31, Page 2), the back page of Eagle, cover dated 1st August 1964.

Dan Dare - “The Wandering World” - art by Keith Watson — *Both Dan Dare artworks on offer in the upcoming Dominic Winters auction, and the cover of Eagle cover dated 14th March 1964, as published*

Eagle cover dated 14th March 1964 - featuring Dan Dare, art by Keith Watson — *Both Dan Dare artworks on offer in the upcoming Dominic Winters auction, and the cover of Eagle cover dated 14th March 1964, as published*

Also on offer in the auction is a selection of Captain Pugwash illustration and one of Harris Tweed, Extra Special Agent, by their creator, the legendary John Ryan; and a huge selection of art by comic artist Hugh Stanley White (1904 – 1988).

Hugh Stanley White was a pioneer in British newspaper comics with his adventure strips for Boys & Girls Daily Mail in the early 1930s, Lambiek noting his work also featuring in Mickey Mouse Weekly from the start, with “Ginger Nick the Whaler” and “Ian on Mu”. The latter was the first British science fiction serial, apart from the individual episodes of “Rob the Rover”. After World War Two, he began his own Merry Maker comic, which featured art by White, Walter Booth and Basil Reynolds.

Pencils for the strip, “Oil Patrol” by Hugh Stanley White

Pencil rough for the cover of Congo Comics by Hugh Stanley White — Pencils for the strip, “Oil Patrol” by Hugh Stanley White

The selection of art offered in the auction includes what looks to be cover roughs and more, some 58 pencil and pen and ink drawings in total, on paper or card, including cartoon strips for comics, portrait and figure studies, architectural studies, etc., and 90 prints, mostly etchings (many artist’s proofs), in various condition, the largest measuring 72 x 50 cm.

If you’re intrigued by the samples of Hugh’s art offered in this auction, then check out the examples of his work posted by collector Terry Doyle here on ComicArtFans.

This massive lot also includes a collection of original artwork by Brian Huby: some 27 gouache and watercolour paintings, and three pencil and pen & ink drawings, on paper, card, or artist’s board, comprising landscapes, figure studies, London scenes, illustrations, etc., including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, knights engaged in battle, a pair of angel trumpeters., some signed, again in various condition, largest 56 x 76 cm

Founded in 1988 by Dominic Winter and based in the beautiful Cotswold Water Park in Gloucestershire, Dominic Winter Auctioneers is an independent specialist auction house offering a dedicated, friendly and professional service to buyers and sellers worldwide. In addition to internationally prestigious monthly book auctions incorporating maps, decorative prints, autographs and historical documents, they hold regular sales featuring rare and historical objects and collectables across a range of cultures and timelines.

Printed Books, Maps & Playing Cards, Jane Austen, Children's Books, Modern Literature, Bookbinding - Catalogue Cover, art by Harry Clarke

Fine Art & Antiques sales are a regular fixture of their auction season and bi-annual Historic Aviation, Arms, Medals and Militaria sales have become landmark events. Using their in-house expertise and a range of trusted consultants they also offer current market advice for collections and estate clearances including vintage photography, cameras, posters, medals, stamps, coins and banknotes, silver and jewellery, Asian works of art, fossils and taxidermy, sports memorabilia, games and playing cards and music and film memorabilia.

• Check out the full Printed Books, Maps & Playing Cards, Jane Austen, Children’s Books, Modern Literature, Bookbinding auction catalogue and sign up to bid here on The-Saleroom | Auction runs 14th – 15th December 2022

• More details of viewings and auction times also at www.dominicwinter.co.uk

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.