Wartime Dandy printers proofs offered at auction

By John Freeman on April 30, 2022

Heritage Auctions has an incredible The Dandy comic rarity among items in the upcoming Comic Art & Animation Select Auction taking place next Wednesday, 4th May 2022 – and bidding is proving fierce.

On offer are some 100 The Dandy Comic Production Cover Proofs, spanning 1940-49. While UK-based auction houses like Compal have previously offered such items individually, this is a chance to gain a huge number in one go.

First published in December 1937, The Dandy remains the world’s third-longest-running comic (after Italy’s Il Giornalino, and America’s Detective Comics), initially published weekly until paper shortages in 1941 moved it to fortnightly. It ran as a physical edition until 2012, surviving briefly as a digital comic until 2013.

The one-sided printer’s proofs measure 7.5″ x 10.25″. They are affixed to 10″ x 12″ sheets of paper and stapled into booklets covering specific years. The years covered are 1940, 1942, and 1949. (The last two years were during the period the series was still fortnightly).

The press proofs are described as on average in excellent condition, although the paper backings and folders are deteriorating.

• Check out the lot here on Heritage Auctions

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.