Top notch range of comic art on offer in this week’s Catawiki International Original Comics Art Auction

There’s an absolutely stunning range of comic art on offer in this week’s Catawiki International Original Comics Art Auction, closing Thursday 6th October, including work by Enrique Breccia, Neville Colvin, Paul Gillon, Carlos Pacheco, and more.

A smashing page by the Argentinian artist Enrique Breccia from the strip “Raices de Misterio – El misterio y el mar, published in Skorpio #187 (1974), written by Walter Slavich.

“Raices de Misterio - El misterio y el mar” - art by Enric Breccia

A powerful artwork by Emmanuel Civiello, titled “La Magie hébraïque” (“Hebrew magic”) portraying Moses casting the seven plagues on ancient Egypt.

Artwork by Emmanuel Civiello, titled “La Magie hébraïque”

An episode of “Modesty Blaise” drawn by Neville Colvin, No. 5560, from the story “The Balloonatic”, first published 23rd November 1982. Modesty and Guido are captured after their hot-air balloon crash lands and they witness a duel to the death.

Neville Colvin was the fifth artist to draw Modesty Blaise, and worked very closely with the writer Peter O’Donnell for 16 whole stories. The strip was collected as part of Modesty Blaise: Death in Slow Motion by Titan Books in 2010.

Modesty Blaise books and more on amazon.co.uk

Modesty Blaise 5560 by Peter O’Donnell, art by Neville Colvin
Modesty Blaise 5560 by Peter O’Donnell, art by Neville Colvin

An artwork featuring the Post Office tower being moved in the future, attributed by artist Graham Bleathman on Facebook to Eric Eden, first published in the 1966 Thunderbirds annual and republished in the Dutch release, Thunderbirds Extra in 1966. A copy of the book, in poor condition, is included in the lot.

Art from the 1966 Thunderbirds Annual, possibly by Eric Eden
Art from the 1966 Thunderbirds Annual, possibly by Eric Eden
Art from the 1966 Thunderbirds Annual, possibly by Eric Eden

A rare opportunity to buy an episode of the French newspaper strip 13, rue de l’espoir (“13 Hope Street”), by the brilliant Paul Gillon, published in 1960. 13 rue de l’Espoir appeared in the daily France-Soir between September 1959 and December 1972, written by Jacques and François Gall.

Centring on daily life of a modern woman in her twenties, Françoise Morel, this soap opera-style strip is considered a fascinating snapshot of the evolution of French society during that tumultuous period, collected in two albums by Les Humanoïdes associés in 1980 and 1982. The strip was adapted for the big screen as La Gamberge, directed by Norbert Carbonnaux, released in 1962, with Françoise Dorléac in the lead role.

13, rue de l'espoir  (“13 Hope Street”) By Paul Gillon

Another action-packed page from “Robot Archie and the Mystery of the Giant Bats, with art by Ted Kearon, first published in Lion in 1967.

“Robot Archie and the Mystery of the Giant Bats”, with art by Ted Kearon

An illustration by Walter Minus, an artist who also works in advertising, well known for his erotic drawings of women, is attracting strong bidding. He’s the creator of comics such as Ciao Poupee!, De Si Jolies Filles, Vicky et Pamela, and more. His official web site is at www.walterminus.fr.

“Woman smoking cigarette” by Walter Minus

A preliminary drawing for the cover of Conan – Serpent War 3, by Carlos Pacheco, published in 2019. Carlos sadly recently announced his retirement from comics due to health issues.

Preliminary drawing for the cover of Conan - Serpent War 3, by Carlos Pacheco
Preliminary drawing for the cover of Conan - Serpent War 3, by Carlos Pacheco

A stunning double page spread by Italian artist Giuseppe Ricciardi, who publishes under the name Iko, from an unidentified volume of ‘Ténèbres’, a fantasy series created in partnership with the French writer Christophe Bec, published in France by Soleil since 2009.

It doesn’t appear that this series has been released in English, but the French volumes are available from AmazonUK.

Episode 827 of the newspaper strip “Axa” by Enric Badia Romero, on offer from the artist himself.

Episode 827 of the newspaper strip “Axa” by Enric Badia Romero

Episode 827 of the newspaper strip “Axa” by Enric Badia Romero, on offer from the artist himself.

He’s also selling another episode of his work on “Modesty Blaise, episode 8609A.

“Modesty Blaise”, episode 8609A by Enrique Badia Romero

• This week’s Catawiki International Original Comics Art Auction, closes at 7.00pm on Thursday 6th October 2022

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



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

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