Rare Barks Duck Art to Be Offered at Auction!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Bruce Hamilton was a man who wore many hats. Not only a consummate collector, he was also the publisher of Gladstone Comics, a comic book line dedicated to bringing the ducky goodness of Carl Barks to as wide an audience as possible. Beginning in 1981, Hamilton, partnered with Russ Cochran and later with Diamond Galleries, reprinted a staggering collection of Barks' classic work, bringing the joy of "the good duck artist" to a new legion of fans.

"Sadly, Bruce passed away in 2005," said Ed Jaster, Vice-President for Heritage Auction Galleries. "Consequently, we were extremely honored to be chosen to present some of his monumental collection to the many fans he helped to nurture throughout his lifetime."

"One of the most significant pieces we're offering from Bruce's collection is a complete 24-page children's book, featuring layout and pencil art by Carl Barks - though it is difficult if not impossible to tell whether the original pencils or a photocopy lies beneath the gouache rendering by Norman McGary on illustration boards. The story is an adaptation of Dickens' famous tale A Christmas Carol, starring Uncle Scrooge as Ebenezer, and co-starring Donald and his nephews. While Scrooge takes center stage in the story, Donald still gets the spotlight on the cover (which is not by Barks), playing Santa to Huey, Dewey, and Louie. The beautiful story art is presented as double page layouts measuring 15" x 10", with one or two color illustrations plus text pasted onto each board, with a total of 13 boards. The art is in excellent condition, and included with this marvelous lot are copies of the printed book; one original printing, plus two foreign editions -- one from Mexico, the other from Sweden."

"Donald Duck is one of the greatest fictional characters of the 20th Century," Jaster said, "and no one portrayed him better than Carl 'The Duck Man' Barks. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a wonderful piece of published Barks art, so get your ducks in a row and bid today!"

Carl Barks and Norman McGary - "Donald Duck and the Christmas Carol" Little Golden Book D-84 Complete Story Original Art (Golden Press, 1960):
Estimate: $50,000 & up

The Carl Barks and Norman McGary - "Donald Duck and the Christmas Carol" Little Golden Book D-84 Complete Story Original Art (Golden Press, 1960) will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction, to be held August 10 -12, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HA.com/Comics.

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.HA.com.

Heritage 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.HA.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HA.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HA.com.

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

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