Ogri cartoonist puts original artwork up for sale

Fans of famous cartoon biker Ogri will have a chance to get their hands on the original artwork when the creator puts his huge collection up for auction on 27 January.

Cartoonist Paul Sample, who invented Ogri while at London’s Central School of Art in the late 1960s, has decided to clear the decks in preparation for a house move and that means selling his extensive collection of original artwork.

Sample’s collection is expected to run to about 500 lots.

“All this work has been in folders tucked away in cupboards for years,” says Sample, 62, who has lived near the North Shropshire town of Whitchurch for 30 years.

“I don’t look at the work, so I have decided to give someone else the pleasure.”

Inspired by Marvel comics and American illustrator Robert Crumb, Ogri originally began life with the name of Rorgan and his sidekick was George.

“The first strip cartoon was based on my own experience of driving up the M1 at 90mph on a Rocket Goldstar and wondering what the rattle was,” recalls Sample.

“Most people think Ogri is about biking but it’s not, it’s about life in general” says Sample.

The collection is now available to browse online at www.hallsgb.com.

More information on the auction can be had on 01743 284777.