ORIGINAL ART: Life Study

Life Study - side view seated

Which would you rather have? A fur coat or three Bellamy original artworks? 

Someone contacted me recently having discovered the blog (let's call her "jen_jen33", for reasons you'll soon discover). She let me know she owned three artworks by Frank Bellamy. But what was fascinating was the story of how she came by them. Like a lot of us, we've seen our parents' homes sold for care costs. She inherited the pictures on this page and let me know how her mother received them back in the late 70s. 

"jen_jen33" said: "I have just inherited these from my Mum who was given them by Frank's wife in exchange for a fur coat in the 70s.  They both lived in Geddington, Northants". She went on to tell me, "My mother was an art (and fashion) teacher in Kettering, but lived in Geddington where Nancy did.  And yes, I think you must be right, the fur coat/picture exchange probably happened in the late 70s." 

"jen_jen33"has decided to part with the life study shown here but to keep the two Garth strips which she has kindly shared with me/us! The life study is now on ebay. It has already has a bid for £100. It's described as:

Frank Bellamy original signed life drawing from 1970s. In perfect condition. Frank Bellamy 1970s life drawing.  Excellent condition and framed properly.   Was a gift from artist's wife.

The two Garth strips - which I repeat are NOT for sale - are from two stories:

Garth: Freak out to Fear" - H202

H202 is from "Freak Out to Fear" story which ran which ran in the Daily Mirror (6 June 1974 - 27 September 1974 #H132-H227)

Garth: "The Bride of Jenghiz Khan" H240

H240 is from "Bride of Jenghiz Khan" which ran in the Daily Mirror (28 September 1974 - 14 January 1975 #H228-J11)

Thanks again to jen_jen33 for being so kind to allow me to share this fascinating story.

AUCTION SUMMARY

LIFE STUDY
WHERE?: eBay
WHO?: jen_jen33
STARTING BID: £100
NO. OF BIDS: 13
ENDING PRICE:£255
END DATE: Sunday 29 August 2021

ORIGINAL ART: Various garth strips from Comic Book Auctions Limited

Garth: The Wreckers G287 + G296

This time's auction from Compalcomics features multiple Frank Bellamy originals from the Daily Mirror strip "Garth". The listings are at both Compalcomics and TheSaleroom

GARTH: The Wreckers: G287 and G296

Lot 106 is described as:

Garth: 'The Wreckers' two signed original artworks (1973) by Frank Bellamy for the D. Mirror 3/13 December 1973. Indian ink on board. 21 x 17 ins (2)

This story is the one that sent me down a rabbit hole of discovery of the differences between the Daily Record in Scotland and the Daily Mirror in England (and presumably wales and Northern Ireland?). These are two nice examples of bellamy's composition and how he'd use the space he felt was needed - borders and no borders; shadow backgrounds etc.

GARTH: The Bride of Jenghiz Khan: H261

Garth: The Bride of Jenghiz Khan H261

 Lot 108 is described as 

Garth: 'Bride of Jenghiz Khan' original signed artwork (1974) by Frank Bellamy for the D Mirror 6 November 1974. Indian ink on board. 21 x 17 ins

I love the foreground vultures in this strip, "The Tower of the Vultures" Jim Edgar, the writer of these strips certainly had imagination and probably heard of the Tibetan practice of sky burials - but Garth and his bride are not yet dead! 

GARTH: The Angels of Hell's Gap: J58 + J59

Garth: The Angels of Hell's Gap: J58 + J59

 Lot 112 - I love this story but won't be bidding for these consecutive episodes.  I always felt this story (and Ghost Town) had a freedom and joy about the drawing - and westerns were one of Bellamy's favourite topics to handle.  

Garth: 'The Angels of Hell's Gap' two original consecutive artworks (1975) drawn and signed by Frank Bellamy for the D Mirror 12/13 March 1975. Indian ink on board. 21 x 17 ins (x2)

I suspect there are others who love this story so it will be interesting to see how much this goes for. 

GARTH: The Beautiful People: K35

Garth: The Beautiful People: K35

This is a nice piece for those who like scuba diving ...or just looking at how Bellamy handles waves and water!

Garth: 'The Beautiful People' signed original artwork (1976) by Frank Bellamy for the D. Mirror 11 February 1976. Indian ink on board. 21 x 17 ins

As usual I'll add these to the spreadsheet and below when the results come in. I'm curious to see whether the highlight of "The Art of Frank Bellamy" illustrators Special makes a difference and reminds people who this great artist was. [end of book plug]

AUCTION SUMMARY

GARTH: The Wreckers: G287 and G296
WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £450
ENDING PRICE: £760
END DATE: Sunday 29 August 2021

GARTH: The Bride of Jenghiz Khan: H261
WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £230
ENDING PRICE: £370
END DATE: Sunday 29 August 2021

GARTH: The Angels of Hell's Gap: J58 and J59
WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £450
ENDING PRICE: £780
END DATE: Sunday 29 August 2021

GARTH: The Beautiful People: K35
WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £230
ENDING PRICE: £340
END DATE: Sunday 29 August 2021