Calvin and Hobbes Sketch (Bill Watterson)

It is well known that it is virtually impossible to locate original art for the hugely popular Calvin and Hobbes comic strip as virtually all the orginal art was donated by Bill Watterson to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Not surprisingly, original art which does exist (principally in the form of a handful of gifts that were given by Watterson to individuals) command prices that are, literally, exponential (in the region of high five figures or even, depending on the precise piece, six figures). Given this fact, locating even this relatively tiny sketch was quite providential (and still really expensive!). The image is only approximately 2 inches by 2 inches and is sketched in the title page of the first volume of the Complete Calvin and Hobbes but is clear and crisp. This slip-cased set, together with the sketch, was part of a charity auction, and is described by ComicLink in the following terms:

This is an extremely rare original Bill Watterson illustration featuring the stars of his all-time classic comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes. To raise funds for a Parkinson's Disease charity, Watterson donated the offered original signed sketch. He drew it on the inside page of a copy of a deluxe hardcover collection of the strip,The Complete Calvin and Hobbes Book Volume 1. Along with Volume 1, the lot includes Volumes 2 and 3 and the slipcase which holds all three books. The signed illustration is approximately 2" by 2" and really captures the spirit of the mischievous duo. The artwork is inscribed to 'Team Cul De Sac', a group that raises funds for Parkinson's Disease. This group was formed in honor of comic strip creator Richard Thompson, who drew the Cul De Sac comic strip before passing away from Parkinson's in 2016. Team Cul de Sac raises funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. This artwork was initially offered in an art auction held at HeroesCon in 2018.