On April 19, the curtain rises on the first Italian Comic Art auction, jointly curated by MILLON — already a leader in the field in France and Belgium — and Il Ponte Casa d’Aste, which with this event officially launches the department in Italy under the direction of Federico Manusardi.
The “ninth art” crosses the Alps and takes shape in a catalog of 301 lots, carefully selected from the Millon Auction Group offices in Paris, Brussels, and Milan.
For the Italian debut of a segment that is increasingly significant in international markets, a leading figure of Italian comics could not be missing: Milo Manara, represented with a substantial selection of works from the volume Quarantasei, dedicated to the legend of world motorcycling Valentino Rossi — a title referencing the famous number chosen by the champion, which is also reflected in the very structure of the work. In these original pages, the master stands out for his extraordinary skill in rendering characters, defined in every detail, from line work to color shading, thanks to his use of colored pencils and watercolor.
Among the most iconic works are the page depicting Valentino in his pre-race ritual, talking to his Yamaha (lot 228, €2,000–3,000); the large-format page highlighting his various celebratory poses on the bike (lot 227, €2,000–3,000); and page 46 of the album, featuring the female protagonist in all her splendor (lot 231, €4,500–6,500).
Lot 226
MANARA, Milo (born 1945)
Quarantasei, Page 4
Page 4 composed of three strips: two measuring 51×24 cm each and one 50×24 cm, depicting Valentino Rossi performing his pre-race ritual with his Yamaha No. 46. Medium: mixed, pencil, ink, and Pantone (51×72 cm), 2006.
Estimate € 2.000 - 3.000
Lot 225
MANARA, Milo (born 1945)
Quarantasei, Page 44
Page 44 featuring a single illustration of Valentino Rossi on his Yamaha in various poses.
Medium: mixed, pencil, ink, and Pantone (35×50 cm), 2006.
Estimate € 2.000 - 3.000
Of particular interest is also the group of sketches and drawings by major international and Italian artists from the collection of Patricia Martinelli, writer and editor of Diabolik in the 1990s. This collection offers an extraordinary snapshot of the great masters one could encounter at Lucca Comics & Games and other major fairs in the 1970s and 1980s, capturing the charm of a memorable era in comics (e.g., lot 293).
Lot 293
DIABOLIK
Collage
From the collection of Patricia Martinelli, screenwriter and director of Diabolik from 1992 to 2001, a collage related to the setup of one of the rooms in the exhibition Diabolik, un giallo in maschera at Palazzo Pretorio, Certaldo, 1996, signed with dedication.
Estimate € 100 - 200
More contemporary are Daniele Serra (lot 255, €600–900) and Alberto Ponticelli (lot 258, €800–1,200), artists whose work has also attracted attention in the American market.
Lot 258
PONTICELLI, Alberto (born 1969)
Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E., No. 1, pp. 17-18
Double page from Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. No. 1, pp. 17-18, DC Comics. Signed.
Medium: pencil and ink (approx. 26.5×43.5 cm), 2011.
Estimate € 800 - 1.200
On the French side, the auction features works by Crisse (lot 232, €650–1,000), Franz (lot 233, €600–1,000), and Cromwell (lot 234, €1,500–2,000), along with works by Italian artists published in La Revue Dessinée Italia, including Paolo Castaldi (lot 236), Andrea Ferraris (lot 246), and Piero Macola (lot 240).
Lot 232
CRISSE, Didier (Didier Chrispeels, born 1958)
L'Épée de Cristal, La Main de la Mangrove
Plate No. 12 from La Main de la Mangrove – L'Épée de Cristal, Vol. 3 by Crisse (Didier Chrispeels).
Medium: pencil and ink on board (51×37 cm), 1991.
Estimate € 650 - 1.000
Lot 233
FRANZ (Franz Drappier, 1948–2003)
Poupée d'Ivoire, La Reine Oubliée
Plate No. 28 from La Reine Oubliée – Poupée d’Ivoire, Vol. 3 by Franz (Franz Drappier).
Medium: pencil and ink on board (41.8×53.3 cm), 1990.
Estimate € 600 - 1.000
Lot 234
CROMWELL, Didier (born 1959)
Minettos Desperados
Plate No. 20 from Minettos Desperados, Vol. 1 by Cromwell (Didier David). Signed.
Medium: pencil and ink on board (37.9×51 cm), 1989.
Estimate € 1.500 - 2.000