Rare Tintin Albums Go Under the Hammer in Paris
A Treasure Trove of Tintin Adventures
A collection of 75 rare Tintin comic albums is up for auction in Paris on Wednesday, featuring a one-of-a-kind copy of ‘Tintin in America’, first published in 1932, with an estimated value of 200,000 euros.
A Unique ‘Tintin in America’ Copy
The rare album, dedicated to the chaplain of Herge’s Brussels scout troop, Charles Helsen, in 1933, is a onetime printing. Herge wrote: "To Mr Abbot Helsen, in memory of the good years spent under his supervision, discovering Adventure… Tintin is just another version of me, who would have continued on that path, all the way." Helsen’s copy appears to have been a one-off printing.
A Collection Built Over Generations
The sale at the Tajan auction house will break up a collection built over generations by the family of Felipe Ortiz-Patino, whose Bolivian great-grandfather started the mania. Daniel Perez, the auction house expert covering the sale, said he put together the lots for sale after Ortiz-Patino "switched interests for various reasons."
Rare and Valuable Tintin Comics
Many of the albums on offer are in near-new or very good condition, displaying the original colors of their cover illustrations. One first-edition copy of 1931’s ‘Tintin in the Congo’ – of which only a few thousand were printed – is estimated at 100,000 euros. Herge signed the book "Tintin" while his fiancée, Germaine, signed as "Milou" – the French name for the intrepid reporter’s faithful terrier known as "Snowy" in English translations.
A Pop-Up Version of ‘Red Rackham’s Treasure’
An unsigned but very rare pop-up version of ‘Red Rackham’s Treasure’ is also on sale with an estimate of 60,000 euros. In November, Tajan plans to offer one of Herge’s original 1941 illustrations for ‘The Shooting Star’, another Tintin adventure, estimated at up to 500,000 euros.
Conclusion
The auction is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Tintin enthusiasts to acquire rare and valuable comic albums, offering a unique glimpse into the world of the beloved cartoonist, Herge. The sale is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Tintin series and the devotion of its fans.
FAQs
- What is the rarest comic album among the collection?
- The rarest comic album is the one-of-a-kind copy of ‘Tintin in America’, first published in 1932, with an estimated value of 200,000 euros.
- What is the estimated value of the first-edition copy of ‘Tintin in the Congo’?
- The estimated value of the first-edition copy of ‘Tintin in the Congo’, printed in 1931, is 100,000 euros.
- What is the estimated value of the pop-up version of ‘Red Rackham’s Treasure’?
- The estimated value of the unsigned but very rare pop-up version of ‘Red Rackham’s Treasure’ is 60,000 euros.