The Glasgow/Northern Looking Glass (1825) – Believed to be the first ever British comic.
The latest Compalcomics comic auction has just begun, offering its usual cracking offerings of British comics and artwork from days gone by – a wonderful selection of high grade and rare comics, artwork and merchandise.
Original artwork by Fleetway Art Editor Jan Shepheard for titles such as Tornado and Famous Crime Stories.
Of particular note are copies of what’s believed to be the first ever British comic from 1825 and artworks from the estate of the late Fleetway Art Editor Jan Shepheard, including some of her original logo designs.
There are 260 lots in the catalogue, including issues 1-13 of The Glasgow/Northern Looking Glass from 1825, generally believed to be the first ever comic. Compalcomics is unaware of any copies in private hands.
Dandy Issue 8 – Published in 1938
A rare old pal at lot 2 is Chums (1892) with issues 1-50 in cloth bound volume. Dandy early numbers feature strongly starting with Number 8 from 1938 with special focus on Dandy Number 12 which retains is free gift Dandy Tasty Toffee Wrapper, to our knowledge the only one known to exist (contents chewily consumed in 1938, no doubt).
Wartime artwork for an episode of “Lord Snotty and His Pals” by Dudley Watkins, probably for The Beano Issue 219 published in 1943.
There’s a rare wartime artwork at lot 24 featuring Lord Snooty with Snitchy and Snatchy taking on Addie and Hermy’s Luftwaffe with a dummy aeroplane – Dudley Watkins at his humorous height and further propaganda issues of DC Thomson’s ’Big Five’ story papers in complete years.
Issues 17-24 of the Australian Atlas reprints of the Mirror newspaper strip Garth, published in 1949.
A scarce complete run of Flash Gordon New Zealand reprints in exceptionally high grade is at lot 47 and Superman returns in his second story with Triumph comics from 1940.
Copies of The Beano from 1957.
As well as copies of Eagle, Girl and Robin, the 1950s highlight in this auction is The Beano, with a complete year of 1958 and missing one issue from 1957. Fine first annuals of Beryl and Desperate Dan follow on.
Dan Dare original cover artwork from Eagle (1952) Volume 3 Number 18.
Layout and pencils by Frank Hampson, completed art by Harold Johns and Greta Tomlinson.
Dan Dare original artwork by Desmond Walduck from Eagle Volume 5, Number 29, published in 1954.
Good runs of Cowboy Picture Library, Comet and Sun are on offer, too, with Eagle Number 1 and complete years from 1957-63, The Eagle Book Of Magic and two original “Dan Dare” cover artworks.
Topper 1-50 in a bound volume will also demand consideration as will six Tit-Bits Science-Fiction comics by C Arthur Pearson.
The cover of Woman’s World Library 1069 by Alberto Giolitti, published in 1970. From the archive of Fleetway art editor, Jan Shepheard.
Judge Dredd ‘In Case Of Emergency – Break Glass’ acetate overlay on colour backing card (1985) by Bryan Talbot for Page Eight of 2000AD Prog 428
(This is not the original Talbot artwork but the acetate overlay printed from it to facilitate the colour sheet beneath for final printing)
Action Annual 1980 original preparatory artwork by Mike Western with margin editorial comments. From the archive of Jan Shepheard, Fleetway art editor
This auction also includes items from the archive of Jan Shepheard, Fleetway Publishing art editor, who died earlier this year. These include cover mock ups, logos – including the masthead for the short-lived Tornado, which was merged with 2000AD – and more.
L.Miller’s Romance Strip Stories, Ivanhoe, Action, Battle, Valiant, Roy Of The Rovers and Judge Dredd are some of the artworks from her collection to tempt you.
The auction’s US section showcases key Golden Age Batman and Detective Comics, Film Fun glamour magazines, early high grade Silver Age Marvels and hot books from the 1980s.
Oh – and don’t miss lot 137, the Dalek Swapits from Woolworths – ex-pro-pri-ate! ex-pro-pri-ate!
Dalek Swapits produced by Cherilea Toys Ltd in 1965. Exclusive to Woolworths, these ready-to-assemble figures are now quite scare in good condition.
• Compalcomics holds four auctions a year. For the full catalogue visit: www.compalcomics.com
• Bidding on items in the Compalcomics November catalogue closes on 30th November 2014. Once again, Compalcomics are teaming 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 the link to the-saleroom.com and follow the instructions: http://www.the-saleroom.com/Catalogues/SaleDetails.aspx?eventId=2916850
You can still view and browse lots at Compalcomics using the familiar format, but you can no longer submit your bids there: http://www.compalcomics.com/catalogue/index.htm
For those of you who send Compalcomics postal bids you may, of course, continue to do so and you might consider sending them your highest bids which will be entered online by Compalcomics and not be viewable unless they are bettered – just like eBay. You will no longer need to telephone or email Compalcomics 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 Compalcomics’ new buyer’s premium will be 14%.
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: 2000AD, Auctions, British Comics, Comic Art, downthetubes Comics News, Featured News
First issue feast, Odhams titles and girls comics among ComPal auction’s latest offerings