Compal‘s first auction for 2022 has just opened for bidding with a host of British comic goodies on offer – including a star lot, the very first issue of The Dandy, published in 1937.
There are around 25 copies known to exist and this example is in “VG-grade” – and there are more early Dandy comics on offer, including several complete years in bound volumes from the 1950s. The Beano is also well represented, with the scarce copies of No 6 on offer, and complete years of 1948, 1951 and 1952 – and two “Tom Thumb” artwork pages by Dudley Watkins.
In last November’s auction Compal sold a bound volume of DC Thomson’s short-lived but much-loved Magic comics numbered 25-80 for £7200 – and they have issues 2-7 on offer in this auction. They are relatively low grade examples, mostly retrieved from bound volumes, but rare nevertheless.
There were only two Magic annuals published and the second, The Magic Fun Book from 1942, may tempt you in Fine grade.
Paget Publication’s Wonderman is a scarce, hotly contested title when it comes up for auction and most of the issues between No 1 and No 13 in fresh conditionare offered this time out.
There’s also some wonderful Eagle comic merchandise in this auction – a Dan Dare Braces, Belt and Sticker Set, Walkden Fisher’s Eagle centre-spread artwork of Sydney Harbour Bridge and a “Riders of the Range” Galloper Gun in “clip-clop”working order (we’ve never seen this beauty before).
Eagle‘s sister paper, Girl, is represented with a “Dress Me” doll in 1950s original box, with comic printed dress and Girl belt buckle logo.
Thriller Comics Library from Nos 61-150 are also up for bidding, along with Commando War Stories in Pictures continuing a run of items sold, this time from 201-500.
Check out the bright, fresh runs of (unfolded) The Beezer and The Topper comics, too, and a superb Buster collection from 1960-62, including “Buster’s Boomerang” and “Zoomer Jet”, two of the many “as new” free gifts in evidence.
TV Century 21 Nos 1-89 and TV Tornado 1, this with with its free gift – “Batman and Batchute” complete the decade.
Artwork on offer this time around includes an Atlantines page by Frank Hampson and unnamed Eagle studio artists, from the Dan Dare Pop-Up Book, more “Heros The Spartan” and “Garth” by Frank Bellamy and “Charley’s War” by Joe Colquhoun.
Wrangler’s Roost was a wonderful Cowboy ‘B’ Movie fanzine from the 1970s – and there are copies ready to be lassoed… and how could you not be warmed by the 1950s title Welcome Weekly with its “Thrilling Romantic Stories to Make You Feel Young and Happy”?
The US section presents runs of Marvel Silver Age TheAvengers, Fantastic Four, Strange Tales, Tales of Suspense and X-Men – all high grade cents copies, along with DC COmics Batman, Detective Comics, 80pg Giants, JLA and Superman keys.
Postal and fax bids need to be with us by Friday 25th February 2022 – and Compal will enter them on your behalf in thesaleroom.com/Comic Book Auctions website closing on Sunday 27th February from 2.00 pm.
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.