Frederico Tacconi Look and Learn war art offered on Catawiki

"The Wings of War" by Ferdinand Tacconi (Look and Learn, 1965)

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.

Look and Learn No. 55, 2nd February 1963 - "Routes to the Moon No. 7", painted by Ferdinand Tacconi
Look and Learn No. 55, 2nd February 1963 – “Routes to the Moon No. 7”, painted by Ferdinand Tacconi

“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.”

"The Wings of War" by Ferdinand Tacconi (Look and Learn, 1965)

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.

This apolitical guide outlines what you should be aware of when buying or selling art internationally but is a work in progress

Don’t forget Catawiki runs several regular auctions, including a dedicated US Comics auction, too – check out all the current lots on offer here



Categories: Art and Illustration, Auctions, British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Magazines, Other Worlds

Tags: , , , ,

Discover more from downthetubes.net

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading