Three artworks by artist Paul Crompton, probably best known to downthetubes readers for his Doctor Who annual art, come to auction next week, in an auction by Lytham St. Annes-based Gerrards.
On offer are three works, two described by the auction house as designs or concept art for the 1970 Doctor Who Annual published by World Distributors; art featuring a modern Dalek; pencils for a page of comic strip, and his original design for the endpapers the same annual.
The description of the Dalek art was amended by the auction house, after it was pointed out that the Dalek a modern design, and could not have been for a 1970s annual as originally suggested.
“They came from an extensive collection of a private gentleman,” Gerrards told downthetubes before changes were made. “We have sold very important works with this client and have never had any issues before. The Dalek will be changed accordingly, however the other two works, we have no doubt, are original pieces.”
The preliminary art for both the comic strip and endpapers described as work for the 1979 Doctor Who Annual, featuring Tom Baker as the Doctor, is very different to that finally published, a horrifying monster toned down at the request of the Annual editor, hinted at in notes on the comic strip page, and the endpaper art offered in the auction unused.
Paul Crompton commenced professional illustration work at the age of 15 for the then World Distributors Ltd. Throughout the following nine years, he worked on a variety of mainly TV-licensed annuals, comic strips, book covers, story books, jigsaws and children’s colouring and activity books. In 1981, Paul became a freelance illustrator and worked continuously for a wide variety of clients including Marvel, Oxford University Press, Warner Brothers, and more.
• All three artworks attributed to Paul Crompton feature here in Gerrard’s online catalogue
• Fine Arts, Antiques, Jewellery, Silver & Quality Collectables | 12th – 13th May 2022 Gerrard’s, St Georges Road, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire FY8 2AE | You must pre register to bid
• Paul Crompton: Agent’s Profile
• Art by Paul Crompton on ComicArtFans
With thanks to Mike Tucker for the heads up. This item was updated on Saturday 7th May to reflect changes made to lot descriptions by the auction house
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.
Categories: Art and Illustration, Auctions, British Comics, Comics, Doctor Who, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds, Television
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His Who annual artwork used to scare the willies out of me as a kid! I loved it! It would be amazing to see a retrospective or feature about his work and career.
Aw man, if only had lot and lots of disposable income right now – this is like a dream to own/display/admire art like this…fist time in my lifetime I have seen art such as this for sale from the Baker era.