Frank Bellamy in latest Peter Hansen auction (Part One)

"Thunderbirds" TV21 #200, p.11

I hope you've got yourself a nice cup of your favourite beverage as this is a long article! The latest auction to include Frank Bellamy original artwork is very exciting as there are many pieces, so many I have taken the unusual step of splitting this article in two! Peter Hansen Collection of British Comics and Comic Art taking place on 24 October 2026, starting at  10:00 at Excalibur Auctions  includes the following pieces

 "THUNDERBIRDS" TV21 #200 (16 November 1968), page 11

This second page of a two-page story looks to be in good condition, the blues still looking bright. Compare this (above) to the printed page below (or at least a scan of it!)

The printed TV21 #200, p.11

The description by Excalibur is minimal and states: "FRANK BELLAMY - Original comic book artwork for the British comic book TV21 #200, page 11, featuring a Thunderbirds comic strip. (V)" But take time stare for a while at how Bellamy uses coloured inks on CS10 board - which didn't show up in TV21 towards the end of his run as the printing seemed to deteriorate. 

Garth: The Mask of Atacama (G197)

GARTH: THE MASK OF ATACAMA: G197

The next lot is from "The Mask of Atacama" Garth story - number G197 published in the Daily Mirror Monday 20 August 1973 and we see Tiahuaca try to make a human sacrifice of Garth. Three panels but great staging from one to the other. The description states: "FRANK BELLAMY original comic strip artwork - GARTH: THE MASK OF ATACAMA, G197 (20th August 1973) Published in the Daily Mirror, Ink on board (V)" You'll notice the reverse of the board, on the auction site, has David Bellamy's authentication of his sale to a buyer - he, together with his mother Nancy, sold many pieces of art shortly after Frank's death.

Garth: The Wreckers (G302)

  GARTH: THE WRECKERS: G302

"FRANK BELLAMY original comic strip artwork - GARTH: THE WRECKERS G302 (20th Dec 1973) Published in the Daily Mirror, Ink on board (V)"  In the Thursday 20 December 1973 edition of the Daily Mirror , the three strips presented on page 18 were Bill Tidy's "The Fosdyke Saga", Jack Dunkley and Brian Cookes' "The Larks" and between these the above Garth strip. Again note the movement from frame to frame and how we know exactly what's going on as Bellamy (and Jim Edgar, the author) lead us from a trap to an open window and then onto the ledge. Bellamy loved films and his directorial eye here shows another career he might have taken! 

Garth: The Angel's of Hell's Gap (J70)

GARTH: THE ANGELS OF HELL'S GAP (J70)

The third Garth strip in this auction comes from one of the two Western strips illustrated by Bellamy in his Garth run of 6 years. A favourite topic of the artist, he went to town on this particular strip. This one appeared on Wednesday 26 March 1975. "FRANK BELLAMY original comic strip artwork - GARTH: THE ANGEL OF HELL'S GAP (26th March 1975) Published in the Daily Mirror, Ink on board (V)"

 PART TWO of this article and a further 4 exciting Bellamy works including two unpublished! If I sound excited, I am!

I'll add the finished prices to the usual spreadsheet and here when the hammer comes down! 

AUCTION SUMMARY

 "THUNDERBIRDS" TV21 #200 (16 November 1968), page 11  (Lot#428) 

WHERE?: Excalibur
ENDING PRICE: £1,300
END DATE: Saturday 24 October 2026

 GARTH: THE MASK OF ATACAMA: G197  (Lot#436)

WHERE?: Excalibur
ENDING PRICE: £500
END DATE: Saturday 24 October 2026

GARTH: THE WRECKERS: G302 (Lot #437)

WHERE?: Excalibur
ENDING PRICE: £350
END DATE: Saturday 24 October 2026

GARTH: THE ANGELS OF HELL'S GAP (J70) (Lot#438)

WHERE?: Excalibur
ENDING PRICE: £480
END DATE: Saturday 24 October 2026

ORIGINAL ART: Too many to mention but I will!

 

Eagle 22 November 1957 (Vol. 8:47)

The Compalcomics auction have some tremendous Bellamy original art this time. The hi-res images I have below have been grabbed from Thesaleroom where you can bid and see live bids too.

HAPPY WARRIOR (Churchill)

Lot 44 is a rare page from "The Happy Warrior", the story of Winston Churchill the first living person to appear in the biographical strip on the back page of Eagle. Bellamy must have had a lot of worries representing this national hero, but eventually was told Churchill approved. This is episode 8 (as Bellamy has written on the board) and appears to have preserved very well. Whoever gets it - please - do not put it in sunlight! The story ran for a year form October 1957 to September 1958.

The lot is described as:

Eagle/Happy Warrior original artwork drawn and painted by Frank Bellamy for The Eagle Vol 8 No 47 (1957). During the second Indian War at the battle of Omdurman on 2 September 1898, a young Lieutenant, Winston Churchill, with 350 men of the 21st Lancers charged what they thought were an army of 700 Dervishes. Churchill later wrote 'A deep crease in the ground - a dry watercourse - a khor, appeared where all had seemed smooth, level, plain; and from it there sprang, with a suddenness of a pantomime effect and a high-pitched yell, a dense white mass of 2000 tribesmen and a score of horsemen with bright flags who rose as if by magic from the earth...' Bright Pelikan inks on board. 21 x 16 ins.

Boy's World 28 March 1964

 BRETT MILLION AND THE GHOST WORLD

The 17th part of this single story from Boy' World (28 March 1964 Vol 2:13) is the next item in the auction. This was a story Bellamy drew as a one-off (there were 21 parts to the story), taking over from "C F Eidlestein" as artist on this strip, who was better known by his real name Frank Langford. The story's premise was similar to the later published Star Trek episode "Wink of an eye" Besides an illustration for a text story this is the only work Bellamy did for Boy's World. To read more about this short-lived comic you cannot do better than Steve Holland's "Boy's World: Ticket to adventure".

Anyway, the lot (#67) is described thus:

Boy's World/Brett Million and the Ghost World original artwork (1963) drawn and painted by Frank Bellamy for Boy's World Vol. 2 No 13, 1963 [sic]. Brett is captured and suddenly teleported by the Aliens as his amplifier runs dangerously low… Bright Pelikan inks on board. 20 x 15 ins 

Eagle 17 November 1962 (Vol. 13:46)

HEROS THE SPARTAN

Heros the Spartan original double-page artwork (1962) painted and signed by Frank Bellamy. For The Eagle Vol. 13 No 46. Taken prisoner to the mountain Palace of Gold, inhabited by the priests of the pagan god, Diom, Heros and his cohort survivors are forced to fight duels against the wild, animal-like savages called the Magus... Bright Pelikan inks on board, 28 x 20 ins. The Heros title lettering and rectangular text boxes are laser colour editions to complete the look of the artwork and may be removed if required. *This is the final board of Heros artwork in the recent run offered for auction.

Comparing this original art to the comic it's hard to tell if this is faded (which wouldn't surprise me) but I can see the blues in it. However Malcolm does mention  the title lettering and text boxes have been added so who knows. It's full of action and comes from the first story of Heros - "The Island of Darkness" which ran for four months over 1962/1963

Lots #102, 104 and 109 are all Garth strips. The first comes from "The Wolfman of Ausensee" (F162) and shows Garth worried about Gloria as she stands on a ledge, for the film crew.  I remember as a teenager trying to copy how Bellamy drew rocks and mountains.

Garth: The Wolfman of Ausensee" G162

Garth: 'The Wolfman of Ausensee' original artwork (1972) drawn by Frank Bellamy for the D. Mirror 8.7.'72. Indian ink on board. 21 x 7 ins

The second is from the story "The Women of Galba" (G84) and has some lovely Bellamy 'swirls' as I call them. These are the things that attracted me to Bellamy's 70s work - his design sense. In an alternate universe I think I'm a graphic designer rather than a retired Librarian! 

Garth: The Women of Galba (G84)

Garth 'Women of Galba' original artwork (1973) drawn by Frank Bellamy for the D. Mirror 7.4.'73. Indian ink on board. 21 x 7 ins

The third is from the story "The Mask of Atacama" (G225) and again we see those Bellamy 'swirls' shading the dark sky in the third panel. Garth is off stage at this point in the story but nevertheless a lovely piece of classic Frank Bellamy artwork.

Garth: The Mask of Atacama (G225)

Garth: 'The Mask of Atacama' original artwork (1973) drawn and signed by Frank Bellamy for the D. Mirror 21.9.'73. Indian ink on board. 21 x 7 in

That's a lot of gorgeous Frank Bellamy artwork coming to light. Best of luck with any you go for.  I'll update the spreadsheet as usual after the auction. Happy Bidding!

AUCTION SUMMARY

HAPPY WARRIOR

WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £900 (Estimate: £1000-£1500
ENDING PRICE:£2,450
END DATE: Sunday 28 August 2022

BRETT MILLION AND THE GHOST WORLD

WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £1080 (Estimate: £1200-£1600)
ENDING PRICE:£2,250
END DATE: Sunday 28 August 2022
 
HEROS THE SPARTAN 

WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £4050 (Estimate: £4500-£5000)
ENDING PRICE:£3,800
END DATE: Sunday 28 August 2022

GARTH: The Wolfman of Ausensee

WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £200 (Estimate: £220-£260)
ENDING PRICE:£280
END DATE: Sunday 28 August 2022

GARTH: The Women of Galba

WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £230 (Estimate: £250-£300)
ENDING PRICE:£170
END DATE: Sunday 28 August 2022

GARTH: The Mask of Atacama

WHERE?: Compal/Saleroom
STARTING BID: £230 (Estimate: £250-£300)
ENDING PRICE:£240

END DATE: Sunday 28 August 2022