The Flying Dutchman Sails at Heritage!

Dallas, Texas: A half-page panel from 1959's Uncle Scrooge #25 served as the inspiration for this magnificent oil on masonite seascape -- Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck, and Huey, Dewey, and Louie first sight the ghostly Fliegende Hollaender flying across the stormy skies with its crimson sails set in The Flying Dutchman.

"Carl Barks is considered by many to be the ultimate Donald Duck artist," said Lon Allen, Director of Sales, Comics, for Heritage Auction Galleries. "Later in his life, when he had finished with the day-to-day grind of producing comics, he began working in oils, first for his own enjoyment, then as commissions for eager fans. His original paintings are very rare, and are eagerly sought after by collectors worldwide."

"Barks ultimately painted three different versions of this electrifying scene," Allen said, "and this is the work, painted in 1972, is numbered 23-72. He must have enjoyed painting the ship's rigging and the storm-tossed seas, for the image recalls the nautical pages he drew for his first Donald Duck yarn, 'Pirate Gold,' in Four Color #9 (1942)."

In the book Carl Barks Conversations, Barks spoke of his career, "Things fell into place for me easier than for others because I often had a whole panorama in my mind of what the story would be before I even put anything on paper. I believe that as time goes by people will realize those paintings I've done are all based on stories. If I don't paint something I can take a little pride in, I don't want to paint it in the first place. I like to outdo my own expectations and outdo whatever the guy expected when he ordered the painting."

Carl Barks' oil painting, The Flying Dutchman, will be offered as part of Heritage Auctions' upcoming Comic and Comic Art Signature Auction, to be held May 9, 10, and 11, in Dallas, Texas.

• Carl Barks' The Flying Dutchman

Carl Barks' The Flying Dutchman has a pre-auction estimate of $40,000 - 50,000.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Heritage Auction Galleries specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, classic toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288 or Lon Allen at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HeritageAuctions.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HeritageAuctions.com.

Music and Hollywood memorabilia collectors should contact Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 452 or email DougN@HeritageAuctions.com.

Movie poster consignors, please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.