Super rare Oor Wullie annual from 1941 expected to sell for thousands at auction

A super-rare comic book featuring one of Scotland's best known cartoon characters is expected to sell for thousands when it goes on auction next week.

Oor Wullie is "recognised across the world" and the bucket-sitting, dungarees-wearing cheeky chappy's No1 annual from 1941 will go under the hammer next week.

It is expected to sell for between £2,000 and £3,000 at McTear’s pop culture, annuals, toys and more auction on Wednesday at 10am.

The book is part of a huge single collection of Oor Wullie, Broons and Andy Capp annuals and memorabilia stretching from the 1940s through to the present day.

It is hoped the full collection, amassed over a lifetime by the late Falkirk football programme collector, Frank Hulett, will rake in between £10,000 and £15,000. The collection details the evolution of both Oor Wullie and The Broons through the decades.

The front cover of the first ever Oor Wullie annual, drawn by DC Thomson illustrator Dudley Watkins, displays the famous image of spiky-haired Wullie on his bucket, dressed in his trademark denim dungarees and tackety boots.

Other items to go under auction include an Oor Wullie No1 annual from the following year, which is estimated to bring in around £1,500. Auctioneers believe one of the early Broons annuals will also sell for between £400 and £600.

Commenting on the auction, McTear’s specialist James Bruce said: “Oor Wullie’s iconic steel bucket is recognised across the world, with generations of comic fans growing up enjoying the antics of Wullie and his pals every week in the pages of the Sunday Post.

“Along with The Broons, the Oor Wullie annual remains a must-have Christmas gift for fans of all ages, and I have no doubt that the huge interest in these iconic characters will ensure a very lively sale on the April 10.”

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.