There are still a few hours to bid on items in the latest weekly Catawiki International Comic Art Auction, with a cracking early “Zip Nolan” page from Lion by Reg Bunn, the script attributed to Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, among the British artworks on offer.

Here are some of the gems going under the hammer today…

A wonderful splash page drawn by the brilliant Reg Bunn for the “Zip Nolan” series for Lion, from a “Spot the Clue” story first published in 1963. The script is attributed to Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman, who also created The Spider for Lion, also drawn by Bunn.

A sSplash page from the story “Robot Archie and the Superons” drawn by Edward “Ted” Kearon, first published in Lion, in 1968.

There’s another Robot Archie page on offer, too, from the 1966 story, “Archie and the Giant Scorpion”, also for Lion, also by Kearon – the final page of the tale in fact!

Another page from “The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire” story, “The Puppet Emperor”, is also on offer, first featured in Look and Learn in 1970, with art by Don Lawrence.

An “Andy Capp” strip by Reg Smythe, published in the Sunday Mirror on 10th June 1991, completes the obvious British comic-related items.

However, it’s entirely possible a World War Two painting by Fernando Fernández on offer featured on the cover of a picture library comic in the 1970s. That dramatic pice is offered alongside one of his eye-catching western covers.

There’s art by José González, too – one of his “Bobbsey Twins” book covers, and an eye-catching cover with an Asian theme commissioned by Konsultmedia.

A shout too, for some gorgeous work by Daniel Hulot, a fun original illustration, “Kervin et le lapin de pâques”, by Philippe Luguy, and a superb acrylic illustration by René Follet.

• Check out items offered by Catawiki in their International Comic Art category – auction closing today, Thursday 24th February 2022, at 7.00pm

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

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.

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

Tags: Andy Capp, Catawiki International Comic Art Auction, Don Lawrence, Jerry Siegel, Lion, Look and Learn, Reg Smythe, Robot Archie, Ted Kearon, The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire, Zip Nolan