“Robinson Crusoe” artwork by John Worsley offered in upcoming auction

By John Freeman on April 15, 2025

The latest Comic Artworks Auction on Catawiki curated by Louis Girard includes an original “Robinson Crusoe” artwork by John Worsley, best known to downthetubes readers as the artist on the “The Adventures of PC 49” strip in the original Eagle comic. He was also a professional illustrator, who worked in a number of different fields.

Up for auction, from a UK-based seller, is a large original watercolour and gouache painting, signed, titled and dated to the lower right by the artist.

There’s no indication where the artwork was used in the listing details, but Worsley worked for a wide variety of publishers, on titles such as Treasure, and more.

Bidding on the artwork is currently quite low, perhaps because Catawiki’s principal client base is European, and wary of possible customs fee.

John Godfrey Bernard Worsley (16th February 1919 – 3rd October 2000) was a British artist and illustrator best known for his naval battle scenes and portraits of high-ranking officers and political figures. One of the very few active service artists of the Second World War, he was the only person to render contemporary sea-warfare in situ, and the only official war artist captured by the Germans.

"Axa" (#1754), by Enric Badia Romero from the story "The Castaway", first published in 1984 — *“Axa” (#1754), by Enric Badia Romero from the story “The Castaway”, first published in 1984*

Also in the same auction, alongside much European comic art: an episode of the newspaper strip, “Axa” (#1754), by Enric Badia Romero from the story “The Castaway”, first published in 1984. The art is signed by the late artist, with his stamp of authenticity from his study. Do note this is being sold by Romero’s family, who are based in Spain – customs fees will apply.

• Check out the full auction, which ends at 7.00pm, Thursday 17th April 2025 here on Catawiki

• On downthetubes: Creator Spotlight: Eagle’s PC49 artist John Worsley

• There is a detailed account of John Worsley’s life here on the Old Brightonians web site

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as 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.