Sunday 21 June 2015

Frank Bellamy and Churchill at Sotheby's

Sotheby's is auctioning a copy of the Clifford Makins' version of his masterpiece (in my opinion) "The Happy Warrior", one of three special editions printed for the author, (Clifford Makins) the artist (Frank Bellamy) and the biographical subject (Winston Churchill). Why special? Read the links below to find out

"The Happy Warrior"
The estimate of Winston Churchill's own copy which sold at auction recently was £500 but went for a final price of £3,750! The Makins copy went for auction previously for £500 but presumably didn't meet the reserve, if there was one, and is now offered here by Sotheny's.

 Their description says the lot includes the most comprehensive interview with Bellamy from Fantasy Advertiser


MAKINS, CLIFFORD

THE HAPPY WARRIOR. THE LIFE OF SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL IN PICTURE-STRIP AS TOLD IN EAGLE.
LONDON: HULTON PRESS, 1958

4to, FIRST EDITION, 48 pages of coloured picture-strip illustrations by Frank Bellamy on thick paper, plain photographic illustrations of Churchill, red leather gilt binding, silk endpapers, gilt edges. 
some slight spotting and browning

THIS IS ONE OF THREE SPECIAL COPIES PRINTED ON HIGHER QUALITY PAPER AND BOUND IN GOLD-LEAF EMBOSSED LEATHER. One was presented to the artist Frank Bellamy (sold in these rooms 17 July 1997, lot 410), one to  the writer Clifford Makins (this copy) and one to Churchill himself (sold in these rooms as part of the sale 
Daughter of History: Mary Soames and the Legacy of Churchill, 17 December 2014, lot 109). Also enclosed is a copy of Fantasy International (vol.3, no.50, November 1973) with an interview with Frank Bellamy and referring to the Churchill picture-strip; and also The Observer Review, 15 January 1967.

PROVENANCE:
The author Clifford Makins, editor of
The Eagle; given to his successor as editor Alfred Wallace, thence by descent (letter by A. Wallace loosely inserted, dated 9 October 1996)

1,500 GBP - 2,000 GBP


As usual I'll update the sale price when the auction is over

SUMMARY

  • WHERE?: Sotheby - English Literature, History, Children's Books & Illustrations
  • SELLER:  [Lot # 36]
  • ESTIMATE:£1,500-£2,000
  • ENDING PRICE: 
  • END DATE: JULY 4  2015
  • No of bids:

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