Original Art: Garth on Heritage - The Orb of Trimandias (F100)

F100 "The Orb of Trimandias" Drawn by Frank Bellamy

"The Orb of Trimandias" story began in the Daily Mirror newspaper on 28 January 1972. The original art from one of the episodes is available from Heritage Auction.  This is a really interesting story that one day I might research a bit further (although I did some work earlier) as it concerns Leonardo Da Vinci and the Borgias. The start of the adventure is when Garth and Professor Lumiére are visiting "Count Giovanni Cometti in the magnificent Palazzo Livorno in Venice". The Count shows Garth an interesting drawing by Da Vinci which is an exact likeness of Garth, but was allegedly of Lord Carthewan, an English adventurer and soldier of fortune from the 16th Century.

Heritage describe the piece:

Frank Bellamy Garth #F.100 Daily Comic Strip Original Art (Daily Mirror, 1972). Frank Bellamy had a long and rich career before he took over the long-running comic strip Garth (1943-97) in 1971. He handled the art for this UK series until his death in 1976. Previously Bellamy had illustrated tales in Mickey Mouse Weekly, Swift, Boy's World, Look and Learn, Eagle, and TV Century 21 (where he illustrated many Gerry Anderson creations including the Thunderbirds). This daily from the "Orb Of Trimandias" storyline is wonderfully detailed in ink over graphite on illustration board with an image area of 20.5" x 5.25". In Excellent condition. From the Ethan Roberts Estate Collection. 

This story ran from 28 January 1972 - 22 May 1972 - (F24-F121) and was reprinted several times. The first time was in The Daily Mirror Book of Garth, (London: IPC Limited, 1975) in Bellamy's lifetime. Then it appeared in the American stripzine Menomonee Falls Gazette #67  (26 March 1973) - #83 (16 July 1973) - 6 daily strips on a page. The next time was by Titan Books , Garth Book One: The cloud of Balthus (1984)  and lastly Daily Mirror Monday 3 June  2013 to - Monday 29 July 2013 as a two tier reprint coloured by Martin Baines.

Want to read more? Here's a set of strips from this story featuring Garth's friend Sir John Mordant, showing the scene just before the one on sale!

WHERE?: Heritage Sunday Internet Comics Auction #121726
SELLER:Heritage
STARTING BID:$12
ENDING PRICE:$549.70 inc. buyer's premium) = £431.68

No of bids: 7
END DATE: 25 June 2017