ORIGINAL ART: David and Garth x3

Eagle 21 March 1959 (Vol:10:12)

 This time Compal Auctions have a lovely non-faded piece of Bellamy colour artwork and three Garth strips. here's the usual (edited by me) blurb from Compal:

The Compalcomics November auction is open. The catalogue is open
Click here to visit thesaleroom.com You can also browse auction lots and print a fax or mail bidding form at Compalcomics Click here to visit Compalcomics
Postal and fax bids need to be with us by FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER and we will enter them on your behalf in thesaleroom.com/Comic Book Auctions website closing on Sunday 20 Nov from 2 pm.

DAVID THE SHEPHERD KING

So first we have a lovely "David the Shepherd King" page from the back cover of Eagle (21 March 1959). It's described like this:

David, The Shepherd King original back cover artwork by Frank Bellamy for The Eagle (1959) Vol. 10, No. 12. The Philistine hordes march on Jerusalem but David hides his warriors in the outlying forest setting a trap to ensnare the invaders. Years later, King David's son, Absalom plots treachery against his father. The 'Shepherd King' title header and top LH panel of Young David with explanatory text are laser colour additions to complete the look of the artwork. Pelikan inks on board. 17 x 22 ins

I ought to mention the comic was called "Eagle", not "The Eagle" - a mistake I have been hauled over the coals about!  I wonder if the second explanatory text on the third row might also be added later as well as the first one on the first row. The crowd scene with David leading the people of Israel in bringing the Ark of the Covenant is the usual brilliant Bellamy crowd panel. It will be interesting to see if the estimate of £1,500-£2,500 is close or not.

GARTH: THE ANGELS OF HELL'S GAP

Garth: The Angels of Hell's Gap J80

Then we have two strips from one of Bellamy's beloved Western strips. The first J80 has a lovely last panel where Bellamy does his trademark swirls and here indicates the outline of the mountain - gorgeous. It's described like this:

Garth: 'The Angels of Hell's Gap' original artwork (1975) drawn and signed by Frank Bellamy for the D. Mirror 8-4-'75. Indian ink on board. 21 x 7 ins

It has an opening bid of £220 and an estimate of £240-£280.

GARTH: THE ANGELS OF HELL'S GAP

Garth: The Angels of Hell's Gap J100

The second one is the penultimate strip from the same story - J100. Garth is a guest of a film director who is making a movie on the American Civil War in the exact location where it happened. Although the story doesn't spend much time on the Civil War it's obvious Bellamy loved the subject of the West. Again this is the stuff that drew me, later than I should have, to appreciate Bellamy's sense of design: the border on panel one; the use of those swirls in panel two to show Garth returning from his time-travelling!

The estimate is the same as the one above as well as the starting bid:

Garth: 'The Angels of Hell's Gap' original artwork (1975) drawn and signed by Frank Bellamy for the D. Mirror 1-5-'75. Indian ink on board. 21 x 7 ins

GARTH: THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

Garth: The Beautiful People K58

The last Bellamy original artwork in this auction is from "The Beautiful People" - episode K58.

Garth: 'The Beautiful People' original artwork (1976) drawn and signed by Frank Bellamy for the D. Mirror 9-3-'76. Indian ink on board. 21 x 7 ins

This seems to be considered more valuable as the opening bid is £230 with the auctioneer's estimate at £250 - £300

A lovely solid piece with the three separate panels with lots of those Bellamy swirls. The story is about Garth helping a friend who "has a string of international modellling agencies and worldwide pop group interests" but Mr Zamos, a criminal is messing up Garth's friend's idyll on Ikonos!

That's it.  I'll update the spreadsheet as usual after the auction. Happy Bidding!

AUCTION SUMMARY

DAVID THE SHEPHERD KING
WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £1360
ENDING PRICE:£1640
END DATE: Sunday 20 November 2022

GARTH: THE ANGELS OF HELL'S GAP (J80)
WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £220
ENDING PRICE:£270
END DATE: Sunday 20 November 2022

GARTH: THE ANGELS OF HELL'S GAP (J100)
WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £220
ENDING PRICE:£340
END DATE: Sunday 20 November 2022
 

GARTH: THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (K58)
WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £240
ENDING PRICE:£340
END DATE: Sunday 20 November 2022