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“Garth” art by Martin Asbury, rare Dudley D. Watkins original, to be offered at auction next week

By John Freeman on February 12, 2024

Warwick-based Griffin’s Auctioneers and Valuers has included a number of original British comic artworks in its upcoming Antiques, Interiors & Collectables auction next week, on Tuesday 20th February, the catalogue available to view on their website, and at The-Saleroom. You need to register to bid, the comic art lots including work by Martin Asbury and Dudley D. Watkins.

Also on offer are a number of mixed comic lots, fine art and a couple of comic-related book rarities from the 1950s – an Ace Brave Pop Up Book, with art by Ron Turner, and Dan Dare Pop Up Book, published in 1954.

Included among the comic artworks is what looks like a promotional image for the Daily Mirror‘s newspaper strips, drawn by Martin Asbury, the last artist to work on the adventures series “Garth” for the Daily Mirror. Dated 1976, with small illustrations showing Asbury’s work – Margaret Thatcher, Elvis Presley, and Garth’s companion Professor Lumiere. that date coincides with Asbury’s debut on the long-running strip, drawing “Garth” from 1976 to 1997, when it was cancelled by then editor Piers Morgan.

The full catalogue for this Antiques, Interiors & Collectables Auction are here on the auctioneer’s web site

Garth, an original collage by Martin Asbury, the last Garth artist for the Daily Mirror. Dated 1976 with small illustrations showing Asbury’s work – Margaret Thatcher, Elvis Presley, and Garth’s companion Professor Lumiere – could this the art have been commissioned to mark Asbury's debut on the long-running strip? He drew "Garth" from 1976 to 1997, when it was cancelled — Garth, an original collage by Martin Asbury, the last “Garth” artist for the Daily Mirror. Dated 1976 with small illustrations showing Asbury’s work – Margaret Thatcher, Elvis Presley, and Garth’s companion Professor Lumiere – could this the art have been commissioned to mark Asbury’s debut on the long-running strip? He drew “Garth” from 1976 to 1997, when it was cancelled

Art for Look and Learn's companion title, Ranger No. 15, offered with a copy of the published comic, showing the persecution of the local population following the Norman invasion in the 11th Century. Bright poster colours on Board, 18 inches x 14 inches. The auction house initially credited this to Gerry Embleton, the younger brother of the artist Ron Embleton, but thanks to information supplied by Steve Holland this has now been amended to credit Peter Jackson as the artist — Art for Look and Learn’s companion title, Ranger No. 15, offered with a copy of the published comic, showing the persecution of the local population following the Norman invasion in the 11th Century. Bright poster colours on Board, 18 inches x 14 inches. The auction house initially credited this to Gerry Embleton, the younger brother of the artist Ron Embleton, but thanks to information supplied by Steve Holland this has now been amended to credit Peter Jackson as the artist

A page of Dudley D Watkins art from 1940s, a "Danny Longlegs" April Fool strip commissioned for The Dandy, dated 31st April 1947, but this strip is understood to be unpublished. Perhaps last panel was considered too violent! Danny Longlegs, a schoolboy in the medieval hamlet of Sleepy Valley who just happened to be ten feet tall, was created by Dudley Watkins and debuted in The Dandy in February 1945. His strip initially ran until August 1947. A popular character, he returned several times to the weekly comic. — A page of Dudley D Watkins art from 1940s, a “Danny Longlegs” April Fool strip commissioned for The Dandy, dated 31st April 1947, but this strip is understood to be unpublished. Perhaps last panel was considered too violent! Danny Longlegs, a schoolboy in the medieval hamlet of Sleepy Valley who just happened to be ten feet tall, was created by Dudley Watkins and debuted in The Dandy in February 1945. His strip initially ran until August 1947. A popular character, he returned several times to the weekly comic.

In a discussion about Danny Longlegs on the ComicsUK Forum, “Kashgar” notes the character, created by Dudley D. Watkins, appeared in The Dandy as follows: Series 1, No 285 cover dated 3rd February 1945 – No. 349, (2nd August 1947); a Christmas Special strip for No. 359 (20th December 1947); Series 2, No. 372 (19th June 1948) – No. 395 (7th May 1949), in which he is kidnapped in order to be the bodyguard of and eastern potentate; Series 3 No. 405 (27th August 1948) – No. 407 (10th September 1949), the last series drawn by Watkins, in which Danny Longlegs confronts a mechanical dragon.

Series 4 ran from No. 438 (15th April 1950) – No. 444 (27th May 1950), this final series drawn by Bill Holroyd, a story that has Danny Longlegs mirror reflection coming to life.

Danny Longlegs also appeared in editions of the Dandy Monster Comic spanning 1947 – 1951, all the strips drawn by Dudley D. Watkins.

The Dandy used the title ‘Danny Longlegs’ again in 1962, for a strip that featured in No 1082 (18th August 1962) – No. 1108 (16th February 1963) drawn by Jack Glass. However, this strip was set in modern times and featured the tallest hill-billy in the Catskill Mountains, Danny Kettle.

A cartoon dated 17th September 1969 by Sir Osbert Lancaster (1908-1986), featuring perhaps his most famous character, Maudie Countess of Littlehampton, a regular character, in his pocket cartoons in the Daily Express. Maudie declares “And Here’s Someone Else Who Can Hardly Wait to Welcome us Home“, referring to an Inland Revenue letter, not their dog, as she and her husband return from holiday! An original ink and blue chalk satire cartoon, signed and framed by The Redfern Gallery Ltd in 1980

Cartoon by Sir Osbert Lancaster, depicting Lady de Courantsdair, a distant relative of William Courantsdair, the husband of Maudie Countess of Littlehampton, Lancaster’s famous cartoon. Signed by Lancaster lower right. Framed and glazed. Maudie Countess of Littlehampton was perhaps Lancaster’s most famous character, a regular character in his pocket cartoons in the Daily Express. 14cm x 18cm. — *Another cartoon by Sir Osbert Lancaster, depicting Lady de Courantsdair, a distant relative of William Courantsdair, the husband of Maudie Countess of Littlehampton*

"Defeating the Dutch", back cover artwork by prolific comic artist Eric Parker for Look and Learn, number 326, cover dated April 13th 1968, offered together with a copy of published comic. Poster colour on board 21” x 17”. — “Defeating the Dutch”, back cover artwork by prolific comic artist Eric Parker for Look and Learn, number 326, cover dated April 13th 1968, offered together with a copy of published comic. Poster colour on board 21” x 17”.

Into Space with Ace Brave! Space-Master - a three dimensional pop-up picture book, published by Birn Brothers Ltd, featuring art by Ron Turner, who's also noted for Rick Random Space Detective in Super Detective Library. There is some damage to spine, but pop-ups are excellent. — Into Space with Ace Brave! Space-Master – a three dimensional pop-up picture book, published by Birn Brothers Ltd, featuring art by Ron Turner, who’s also noted for Rick Random Space Detective in Super Detective Library. There is some damage to spine, but pop-ups are excellent.

*Dan Dare Pilot of the Future Pop Up Book, published by Juvenile Productions in 1954. A first edition pop-up book with original spiral binging, some scuff to cover, pop-ups in excellent condition.*

Beer is Best advertising sign, undated, artist unknown

Jack Vettriano (Scottish, b.1951), ‘ Just the Way It Is ‘, signed limited edition print, 54/250. Signed and numbered in pencil. Framed. 45cm x 54cm — Beer is Best advertising sign, undated, artist unknown

• Antiques, Interiors & Collectables Auction Tuesday 20th February, Griffin’s Auctioneers and Valuers, Unit C2, Wedgnock Industrial Estate, Harris Road, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 5JU | Web: griffinsauctions.co.uk | View the auction on The-Saleroom

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.