This week’s International Original Comic Art Auction on Catawiki includes a rare opportunity to own a newspaper strip original by acclaimed French artist Paul Gillon, and much more.

The Paul Gillon art on offer is from the series “13, Rue de l’Espoir”, published daily in France Soir during the 1960s.

Also in the auction of over 140 artworks is a page of “Capitán Trueno” by Eagle artist Luis Bermejo, another “Robot Archie” page from a 1973 Lion story, “Robot Archie and the Last World”, by Ted Kearon; and a “Billy Bunter” page by Reg Parlett, published in 1968.

• Check out items offered by Catawiki in their International Comic Art category – ends at 7.00pm Thursday 2nd December 2021

Do note that the UK’s departure from the European Union may mean 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.

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

• The Guardian reports 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.

Lots of 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

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, John works as a comics editor, writer, as Creative Consultant on the Dan Dare audio adventures for B7 Media, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Working in British comics publishing for over 30 years, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Magazine and Babylon 5 Magazine. 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 “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz, published on Tapastic; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood for digital comic 100% Biodegradable.

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

Tags: Billy Bunter, Catawiki, downthetubes News, Paul Gillon, Reg Parlett, Robot Archie, Ted Kearon