Il Ponte Casa d’Aste Launches Comic Book Department

Il Ponte Casa d’Aste, in collaboration with Millon, is launching a dedicated department for comic art, marking this occasion with an auction on April 19th. This new venture, spearheaded by Federico Manusardi, will feature over three hundred lots showcasing the diverse world of comic art, a segment experiencing significant international growth and setting new multi-million euro records.

Manara and Valentino Rossi: Art from 'Quarantasei'

The auction prominently features works by national comic icon Milo Manara. Millon and Il Ponte present a significant collection from the volume Quarantasei, which celebrates the legendary world motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi. Experts highlight Manara's exceptional skill in rendering characters with meticulous detail, from linework to subtle color nuances achieved through colored pencils and watercolor. This mastery is evident in a pre-race scene of Rossi conversing with his Yamaha (lot 226, €2,000 – €3,000), a large-format plate capturing his celebratory poses on his bike (lot 225, €2,000 – €3,000), and page 46 of the album, beautifully depicting the female protagonist (lot 229, €4,500 – €6,500).

From Past to Present, In and Out of Italy

A notable collection of sketches and drawings from renowned international and Italian artists, sourced from the collection of Patricia Martinelli (a writer and editor for Diabolik in the 1990s), will also be on offer. The auction house describes this collection as an extraordinary glimpse into the masters encountered at Lucca Comics & Games and other significant fairs in the 1970s and 1980s, capturing the allure of a memorable era for comics.

Contemporary artists represented include Daniele Serra (lot 255, €600 – €900) and Alberto Ponticelli (lot 258, €800 – €1,200), both of whom have gained traction in the American market. The French comic scene is represented by works from Crisse (lot 232, €650 – €1,000), Franz (lot 233, €600 – €1,000), and Cromwell (lot 234, €1,500 – €2,000). Additionally, the auction includes pieces by Italian authors published in La Revue Dessinée Italia, such as Paolo Castaldi (lot 236), Andrea Ferraris (lot 246), and Piero Macola (lot 240). The auction will be held in Paris.

Translated Text:

An auction entirely dedicated to comic books, curated jointly by Millon and Il Ponte Casa d’Aste. And the simultaneous launch of the Italian department dedicated to the "Ninth Art," under the leadership of Federico Manusardi. The final outcome on April 19th, with over three hundred lots telling the story of comic art. Precisely as the international market dedicates ever more space to this segment, intercepting a heterogeneous audience and setting new millionaire records.

Manara and Valentino Rossi: The panels of Quarantasei

We begin with one of the protagonists of national comics: Milo Manara. Millon and Il Ponte represent him with a significant body of work drawn from the volume Quarantasei, dedicated to the legend of world motorcycling Valentino Rossi. "In these original panels," reveal the experts, "the master distinguishes himself by his extraordinary ability in rendering characters, defined in every detail, from the line to the color nuances, thanks to the use of colored pencils and watercolor." This is evident in the page depicting Valentino in his pre-race ritual, in conversation with his Yamaha (lot 226, €2,000 – €3,000); in the large-format panel that highlights his various celebration poses on his bike (lot 225, €2,000 – €3,000); and again in page 46 of the album, with the female protagonist depicted in all her splendor (lot 229, €4,500 – €6,500).

From the past to the present, inside and outside of Italy

Not to be missed is the collection of sketches and drawings by great international and Italian names from the collection of Patricia Martinelli, author and editor of Diabolik in the nineties. "A collection that offers an extraordinary insight into the great masters one could encounter at Lucca Comics & Games and other important fairs between the seventies and eighties," declare the house, "thus restoring all the charm of a memorable season of comic books."

Among the more contemporary names, on the other hand: undoubtedly Daniele Serra (lot 255, €600 – €900) and Alberto Ponticelli (lot 258, €800 – €1,200), who have also garnered attention on the American market. While in the French sphere, the auction presents works by Crisse (lot 232, €650 – €1,000), Franz (lot 233, €600 – €1,000), and Cromwell (lot 234, €1,500 – €2,000), to which are added works by Italian authors published in La Revue Dessinée Italia, including Paolo Castaldi (lot 236), Andrea Ferraris (lot 246), and Piero Macola (lot 240). Auction held in Paris.