WebFind: Cartoons and art by Walkden Fisher, Leslie Starke and Arthur Rackham

By John Freeman on June 15, 2021

UK-based EBay seller “BatBatty247” offers a fascinating range of cartoons and illustrations by artists such as Eagle comic artist Walkden Fisher, cartoonist Leslie Starke and illustrator Arthur Rackham and others,, alongside film posters and other rarities.

The prices range from £20 for cartoons featured in Meccano Magazine up to the not unexpected £2000 plus for some of the works for sale by Arthur Rackham.

Walkden Fisher (1913 – 1979) , who we have previously profiled on downthetubes, was associated with the Eagle for several years, and was known for taking a week to produce watercolour illustrations and text for the centre-spreads. Fisher is also remembered as a pioneer in slot car racing. He later became art editor of Model Car magazine and a technical editor of the American magazine.

*An illustration by Arthur Rackham from the 907 book, ‘The Children and the Pictures,’ by Pamela Tennant*

English book illustrator Arthur Rackham (19th September 1867 – 6th September 1939) is recognised worldwide as one of the leading figures during the Golden Age of British book illustration. His work is noted for its robust pen and ink drawings, which were combined with the use of watercolour, a technique he developed due to his background as a journalistic illustrator.

Rackham’s 51 colour pieces for the early American tale Rip Van Winkle became a turning point in the production of books since – through colour-separated printing – it featured the accurate reproduction of colour artwork. His best-known works also include the illustrations for Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. BatBatty247 offers life drawing art and other items by the artist, previously owned by Rackham’s family.

*Cartoon by Leslie Starke for Lilliput. The caption reads “I’ve got my licence here somewhere… I’ll find it if it takes me all day!”*

London-based cartoonist Leslie Starke (1905-1974) was a very popular cartoonist whose work appeared in The New Yorker and Saturday Evening Post, as well as British publications including Punch, John Bull, Lilliput and other magazines. The cartoons on offer from BatBatty247 are all from the family of Leslie Starke.

• Check out the cartoons, illustrations and other works offered by BatBatty247 here on eBay

About the Author
Latest Posts

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.