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Massive Anderson & Garland of Newcastle Comics Auction includes huge range of British comic art

By John Freeman on September 4, 2023

North East-based auction house Anderson & Garland of Newcastle is hosting a massive Comics Auction next week, that includes more stunning British comic art from the Peter Hansen Collection, amassed over decades.

Anderson & Garland Comics Auction - September 2023 - 2000AD

The Comics Auction, running over two days – Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th September 2033 – features thousands of rare and collectable, vintage and modern, American and British, Silver Age and Bronze Age comics, by Marvel, DC Comics and independent publishers; British rarities from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s; horror magazines and other comic-related books, artworks and publications.

Many items are from the collection of longtime collector and comics archivist Peter Hansen, now, sadly, being broken up, despite his many attempts to save them for the nation.

British comic lots in the auction include runs of 2000AD, Battle, The Beano, Beezer, Topper and Warlord, plus a number of British Reprint Comics.

Also on offer are a huge number of war comics and other British comic digests, including runs of Commando and many other titles.

The auction offers many Underground Comics rarities, too, including posters, Robert Crumb collections and more.

The Robert Crumb Sketchbook 1966-67 First Edition published by Zweitausendeins 1981, with booklet in slipcase; The Robert Crumb Sketchbook November 1974-January 1978 First Edition published by Zweitausendeins 1978 with booklet and slipcase; The Robert Crumb Sketchbook July 1978-November 1983 First Edition published by Zweitausendeins 1984, with booklet and slipcase. — The Robert Crumb Sketchbook 1966-67 First Edition published by Zweitausendeins 1981, with booklet in slipcase; The Robert Crumb Sketchbook November 1974-January 1978 First Edition published by Zweitausendeins 1978 with booklet and slipcase; The Robert Crumb Sketchbook July 1978-November 1983 First Edition published by Zweitausendeins 1984, with booklet and slipcase

Mr. Natural, No. 2, by San Francisco Comic Book Company (second print) 1971; Zap Comics, No.6 (first print)

A signed poster for an exhibition of work by S. Clay Wilson, limited edition of 50 numbered impressions, signed and inscribed "Europe 1984", 59 x 42cms — A signed poster for an exhibition of work by S. Clay Wilson, limited edition of 50 numbered impressions, signed and inscribed “Europe 1984”, 59 x 42cms; together with a poster “Crumb’s on the road” promoting the artist’s 1985 European Tour funded by the Scottish Arts Council, signed inscribed “pictland” and dated 1985 by the artist, 54 x 45cms; both unframed.

"Crumb's on the road" poster promoting Robert Crumb’s 1985 European Tour funded by the Scottish Arts Council, signed inscribed "pictland" and dated 1985 by the artist, 54 x 45cms — A signed poster for an exhibition of work by S. Clay Wilson, limited edition of 50 numbered impressions, signed and inscribed “Europe 1984”, 59 x 42cms; together with a poster “Crumb’s on the road” promoting the artist’s 1985 European Tour funded by the Scottish Arts Council, signed inscribed “pictland” and dated 1985 by the artist, 54 x 45cms; both unframed.

The artwork section of this huge auction begins with Lot 301 with Animation Cells from the movie, Akira.

Three original hand-painted cells used for the Manga Movie Akira, featuring the characters Keneda (in pink shirt), Kaisuke, and The Guard; each 23 x 35cms, unframed. — *Three original hand-painted cells used for Akira, featuring the characters Keneda (in pink shirt), Kaisuke, and The Guard; each 23 x 35cms, unframed*

Art by Pete Humphreys - Hugh Jackman as Logan / Wolverine from X-Men | acrylic on canvas — *Art by Pete Humphreys – Hugh Jackman as Logan / Wolverine from X-Men | acrylic on canvas*

After Alex Ross - Original Seven | signed limited-edition giclee print — *After Alex Ross – Original Seven | signed limited-edition giclee print*

"Judge Death", by Brian Bolland, No. 2 of 3 posters published by Forbidden Planet, 1980, this Copy signed by Kevin O'Neil, Mike McMahon, Alan More and John Wagner, 86 x 33cm, unframed. — *“Judge Death”, by Brian Bolland, No. 2 of 3 posters published by Forbidden Planet, 1980, this Copy signed by Kevin O’Neil, Mike McMahon, Alan More and John Wagner, 86 x 33cm, unframed.*

Three pencil drawings and a blue-lined inked-up panel for the Discworld Big Comic, illustrated by Graham Higgins, and published by Gollancz; and publisher's correspondence to the artist, creative notes, and printers' proofs; together with a small quantity of Discworld convention programmes, and Terry Pratchett-related magazines. — Three pencil drawings and a blue-lined inked-up panel for the Discworld Big Comic, illustrated by Graham Higgins, and published by Gollancz; and publisher’s correspondence to the artist, creative notes, and printers’ proofs; together with a small quantity of Discworld convention programmes, and Terry Pratchett-related magazines

Original inked artwork by Kev Levell for the cover of 2000 AD Comic Prog 225, signed inscribed and dated by the artist Verso, 15th August 1981, featuring Lego City One Judge Death, together with printers proof of the final version of the comic cover - sheet size 42 x 29.5cm, unframed; and a large manilla envelope used by the Artist to post this artwork which bears an original signed drawing of the Strontium Dog Johnny Alpha, dated 2013 — Original inked artwork by Kev Levell for the cover of 2000 AD Comic Prog 225, signed inscribed and dated by the artist Verso, 15th August 1981, featuring Lego City One Judge Death, together with printers proof of the final version of the comic cover – sheet size 42 x 29.5cm, unframed; and a large manilla envelope used by the Artist to post this artwork which bears an original signed drawing of the Strontium Dog Johnny Alpha, dated 2013

A Forbidden Planet print, depicting Nixon the principal character in the comic series Hard Boiled, signed by Frank Miller and Geof Darrow; together with a shop-sealed hard bound copy of the graphic album Hard Boiled, by Dark Horse Books. — A Forbidden Planet print, depicting Nixon the principal character in the comic series Hard Boiled, signed by Frank Miller and Geof Darrow; together with a shop-sealed hard bound copy of the graphic album Hard Boiled, by Dark Horse Books

Here are the artworks on offer from the Peter Hansen Collection. They include an incredible number of cover artworks from various Fleetway girls comics such as Tina and more, too many to feature here, but we have included a slideshow of some of them, below.

Original Artwork depicting S.A.S. Patrol from the cover of War Picture Library 1051, reprinted as the cover for Battle Picture Library 1442 by Artist Graham Coton, gouache on board, 61 x 43cms, unframed

Original Comics Artwork for a colour plate on page 17 of Fleetway Publications' Action Annual 1982, depicting a rear gunner bailing out from a burning Lancaster Bomber, gouache on board, image size 49.5 x 39cms, unframed. — Original Comics Artwork for a colour plate on page 17 of Fleetway Publications’ Action Annual 1982, depicting a rear gunner bailing out from a burning Lancaster Bomber, gouache on board, image size 49.5 x 39cms, unframed

Original Comics Artwork depicting British Aircraft strafing a Japanese soldier, published for Air Ace Library, issue No. 122 and subsequently War Picture Library No. 1131, gouache on board, image size 39 x 29cms, unframed

Original Comics Artwork for Fleetway Publications' Comic, The Lion depicting Karl The Viking, three pages from 2 November 1963; Indian ink on board, 55.5 x 44cms, unframed. — *Original Comics Artwork for Fleetway Publications’ Comic, The Lion depicting Karl The Viking, three pages from 2 November 1963; Indian ink on board, 55.5 x 44cms, unframed*

Original Comics Artwork by Mark Ross for Fleetway Publications Comic "The Lion", featuring the character Paddy Payne, original pages first published in 1961, and later pages cut to resize format for Digest Comics, June 13 1970, Indian ink on board - 19 sections, various sizes — Original Comics Artwork by Mark Ross for Fleetway Publications Comic “The Lion”, featuring the character Paddy Payne, original pages first published in 1961, and later pages cut to resize format for Digest Comics, June 13 1970, Indian ink on board – 19 sections, various sizes

The girls comics art on offer includes the cover of Tina No. 31, cover dated 23rd September 1967 – and may be of particular interest to girls comics fans. Tina was launched in February 1967 as a weekly magazine for girls. It lasted only 30 issues before it merged with Princess to become Princess Tina. The art in this auction therefore, is the continental version of the first issue. Upon careful examination, it can be seen that the artwork has been modified so that a princess’s crown has been placed upon Tina’s head.

Original Front Cover Artwork for Fleetway Publications' for the girls' comic "Tina", issue No. 31, published 23 September 1967 (continental issues variant), gouache on board with title over-lay, image size 37.5 x 28.5cms, unframed.

NB. Tina was launched on 25 February 1967 as a weekly magazine for girls. It lasted only 30 issues before it merged with Princess to become "Princess Tina", this therefore, is the continental version of the first issue. Upon careful examination, it can be seen that the artwork has been modified so that a princess's crown has been placed upon Tina's head.

Key US comics going under the hammer include Daredevil No.1, Conan The Barbarian No.1, Iron Man No.1, Submariner No.1, Strange Tales No.110, Journey into Mystery No. 89 and many other highly sought after issues.

Anderson & Garland was established in 1840, and is the leading firm of Auctioneers and Valuers in the North of England and Scottish Borders – and one of the largest independent auction houses in the UK.

With over 20 specialist departments, they hold up to 60 auctions a year in categories including Contemporary Art & Design, Music, Silver, Jewellery & Watches, Fine Art and Comics, to name but a few.

• Check out the full Anderson & Garland of Newcastle Comics Catalogue here – you must be registered to bid | Viewing: Tuesday 12th September 10.00am – 3.00pm

• Check out the artwork from the Peter Hansen Collection in this auction usung this search string

Auction Schedule

Lot: 1 to 240 – Wednesday 13th September, 2023 10:00
Lot: 241 to 480 – Wednesday 13th September, 2023 13:30
Lot: 481 to 720 – Thursday 14th September, 2023 10:00
Lot: 721 to 949 – Thursday 14th September, 2023 13:30

• Anderson & Garland of Newcastle is at Anderson House, Crispin Court, Newbiggin Lane, Westerhope, Newcastle upon Tyne NE5 1BF | How to get to Anderson & Garland

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.