Dallas, TX: Original art from some of underground comics’ most significant creators, including Robert Crumb, Art Spiegelman , S. Clay Wilson, Gilbert Shelton, Rick Griffin, and Robert Williams, will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries’ upcoming Comic and Original Comic Art Signature auction, to be held May 22 & 23 in Dallas, Texas.
“This really is a ‘Who’s Who’ of Underground comic art,” said David Tosh, Underground Comics specialist for Heritage, “including many of the biggest names in the field. Incredibly rare and desirable, these are the creators that shaped the alternative comix movement from its earliest days.”
“The premier piece in this collection,” Tosh said, “is Robert Crumb’s incredible cover for the one and only issue of XYZ Comics , a landmark title in Crumb’s development and, reportedly, one of his personal favorites. By the time this book was published, in 1972, Crumb was at the height of his artistic powers, already a force to be reckoned with in the underground comic’s scene, and one of the prime movers of the art form. The importance of his work, of which this is an iconic example, and its influence on modern popular culture, cannot be overstated.”
Tosh continued, “Also from the fertile mind of R. Crumb comes a complete three-page story from Mr. Natural #1, detailing the origins of this popular character, as well as the original art for Crumb’s Hup #3 cover, which features an unforgettable self-portrait of the artist.”
“Also included in this outstanding auction is a one-page color strip by Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Art Spiegelman,” Tosh said, “best known for his graphic novel, Maus. This free-wheeling one pager, from an early point in the artist’s career, about a disenchanted city dweller who yearns for a more idyllic, rustic existence, originally appeared in Cavalier Magazine.”
“One of the more unusual pieces in this auction is a bizarre one-pager by Rick Griffin, best known for his psychedelic poster art,” Tosh said. “Presented on this single sheet are the adventures of Valhalla (chapter 2), Omo Bob, and Oxo Beppo , complete with such typical Griffin touches as eyeball creatures and floating cheeseburgers. For high weirdness, and great artistry, it’s hard to beat this classic.”
“Rarely is so much important and historic underground art brought together in one auction,” Tosh said. “This is practically a history of the alternative comix movement, with virtually every major artist included. Underground comix fans should have a field day with this one.”
Highlights of the collection include:
Robert Crumb – XYZ Comics Cover Original Art (Kitchen Sink, 1972): Estimate: $50,000 & up
Robert Crumb – Mr. Natural #1 Complete 3-Page Story “The Origins of Mr. Natural” Original Art (Apex Novelties/Don Donahue, 1970): Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000
Robert Crumb – Hup #3 Cover Original Art (Last Gasp, 1989):Estimate: $40,000 – $60,000
Rick Griffin – Zap Comix #2 Complete One-Page Story Original Art (Apex Novelties, 1968): Estimate: $5,000 & up
Art Spiegelman – Complete 1-Page Story Original Art (Cavalier, 1969): Estimate: $5,000 & up
Heritage’s Vintage Comic and Comic Art auction will be held February 28-29, 2008, in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HA.com.