More Frank Hampson Ladybird Book art for sale, Southport anniversary exhibition announced

By John Freeman on April 13, 2018

“I Had a Little Pony” by Frank Hampson. Art for the Third Book of Nursery Rhymes

The official Frank Hampson web site run by the Dan Dare creator’s son, Peter, has a lot of his art for sale, and some new Ladybird Books art boards ohave just been added.

“Two Little Dicky Birds” by Frank Hampson. Art for the Second Book of Nursery Rhymes

“Compiling the Domesday Book” – art by Frank Hampson For Kings and Queens of England Book One

Art for Peter and Jane by Frank Hampson

Hampson was first commissioned by Ladybird Books in 1964, to produce illustrations for The Stories of Our Christmas Customs. Over the next six years he worked on a further nine titles, including three books of Nursery Rhymes and two of the Kings and Queens of England, The History of Food, The History of Transport, Christmas Customs, Madame Curie and the publisher’s Peter and Jane series, designed to help children learn to read.

“As with all his commissions, he remained a stickler for accuracy,” Peter notes. “His historical subjects were always meticulously researched and the love of detail that he brought to Dan Dare is very apparent in these Ladybird illustrations.”

Peter has also let us know that Southport’s Atkinson – home to a permanent Dan Dare exhibit – is planning a major exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of Frank Hampson’s birth, dedicated to all aspects of his work.

The exhibition will open on 15th September 2018 and continue into March 2019.

Photo: Dan Whitehead

The Atkinson is Southport’s home for music, theatre, art, poetry, literature and history, right in the middle of Lord Street. Given the town’s connections to the Eagle, including the placing of a plaque on the Bakehouse Studio (where “Dan Dare”, among other strips, was drawn) as well as various exhibitions at Southport Art College, it’s no surpise The Atkinson features a lively Eagle section amongst its permanent exhibits.

Beware the Mekon! Photo: Dan Whitehead

Peter has lent fresh pieces of his father’s original art work to the gallery on a regular basis, and its well worth a visit if youre in the North West.

We’ll will publish more information on the Frank Hampson anniversary exhibition as soon as we have it.

• A small selection of original Ladybird artwork by Frank Hampson offered for sale on the official website at any one time here, but if you have a particular favourite which isn’t showing, contact Peter and see if it’s available. For Dan Dare art, click here

• The Atkinson, Southport

• Read Dan Whitehead’s review of the Atkinson Dan Dare exhibit here on downthetubes

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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.