Original “Torpedo” art by Jordi Bernet offered in latest Catawiki International Comic Art Auction

By John Freeman on March 28, 2022

This week’s Catawiki International Comic Art Auction includes some great items, including a “Torpedo” illustration by creator Jordi Bernet, already attracting plenty of bids; another page of “The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire” by Don Lawrence, and other British comic art, and much more.

Bidding on lots in this auction closes at 7.00pm on Thursday 31st March 2022.

A great item for fans of football comic hero “Hot Shot Hamish” has to be the cover art for the Dutch magazine Eppo Sterstrip 2 – De Beuk. It’s drawn by Julio Schiaffino, the Argentinian artist who regularly drew “Hot Shot Hamish” and “Mighty Mouse” for Tiger, and “Hot Shot Hamish & Mighty Mouse” for Roy of the Rovers, written by Fred Baker.

Also offered is another page from “Robot Archie” by Ted Kearon, from the story 1967’s “The Crystal Leopard”, for the British weekly, Lion.

Another page from “Eagles over the Western Front” by Bill Lacey, first published in 1964.

(Don’t forget Bear Alley Books collected this strip in one volume in 2020, copies still available here).

A page from the story, “The Three Princes”, from “The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire” for Look and Learn, art by Don Lawrence, first published in 1968.

The last of this week’s British comic art items on offer is another “Modesty Blaise” strip by Enrique Badia Romero (#3951A), again offered by the artist direct.

Beyond the British art, check out some great artworks by Felix Meynet, a Lucky Luke advertisement illustration by Spanish artist Julian Jordan, titled “Saved by the Window”; and some romance-themed artworks by José González.

Fans of military art may also want to check out art by Fred Funcken, a detailed guide to the uniform of the Spanish infantry. It was created by the Funckens (Liliane & Fred) for the L’Uniforme & les Armes des soldats du Premier Empire Volume One, published by Casterman.

• Bidding on lots in this auction closes at 7.00pm on Thursday 31st March 2022 – check out the full catalogue here

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

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.