A beautifully painting by Italian comic artist Ferdinand Tacconi, originally commissioned for a 1965 issue of Look and Learn, is on offer on Catawiki this week, as part of the regular International Original Comics Art Auction curated by Louis Girard.
Entitled “The Wings of War“, featuring a Handley-Page bomber, the art currently being auctioned on Catawiki is part of just one of the auction sites weekly art auctions, offered along with a plethora of European comic strip art and illustration from a wide range of creators.
In addition to a distinguished career in Italian comics, Tacconi drew many strips and covers for the British comics market, beginning in the mid-1950s. In addition to drawing “Jeff Morgan”, he contributed to Eagle, Buster, Air Ace Picture Library, Battle Picture Library, Thriller Picture Library and War Picture Library. He died in 2006.
The art was published as just one frame of a back page feature, part of a series entitled “Routes to the Moon”, and appeared in Look and Learn No. 55, published in February 1963.
“The Italian master of comics arts paints in his unique style, which combines extremely fine brush work alongside blockier expressive areas,” observes seller Delman of the art. “It is incredible how much detail is in the painting.”
Bids are being accepted from the UK as the seller is based here in the UK. Unfortunately, some items offered on this auction site are not available to British buyers, because of customs changes since Brexit.
• This week’s Catawiki International Original Comic Art Auction ends on Thursday 18th May at 7.00pm | Full catalogue here
• Bid on “Wings of War” by Ferdinando Tacconi here
• Look and Learn is online at lookandlearn.com
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.
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: Art and Illustration, Auctions, British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Magazines, Other Worlds