An album signed by "Tintin" and "Milou"

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The character of Tintin first appeared in 1929 in the supplement of the journal "le Vingtième Siècle". Its creator, Hergé, offers him adventures in the country of Stalin and makes him accompanied by the dog Snowy (Milou). The following year this strip is collected in an album of 138 pages under the title "Les aventures de Tintin reporter du Petit Vingtième au pays des Soviets." The drawings are in black and white.

The price of Tintin albums depends on the rarity of the issue, on the condition, and on the signatures, dedications or original drawings that may improve it.

Let us start with rarity: in its press release from the sale of September 27 in Paris, Artcurial expects 30 K € from lot 13, a "Tintin en Amérique" from the very first issue published by Casterman (1934), almost mint condition.

Let us consider now the handwritten inscriptions:

Lot 7 of the sale of September 27 is an album Tintin in the Land of the Soviets signed "Tintin" (by Hergé) and "Milou" (by his wife). It is a serialized copy of the first thousand. In very good condition but with the corners slightly worn out, it is estimated 28 K €.

From virtually the same description but with a few small tears, serial number 3 had been sold 40 K € fees included by Artcurial on November 17, 2007 (34 K € excluding fees, source: "la Gazette de l'Hôtel Drouot", paper copy). It was dedicated to a friend of Hergé who inspired (perhaps) the character of Haddock.

For subsequent prints and for copies in lesser good condition, prices are falling rapidly.

A copy of the 9th thousand with worn-out cover is estimated at 9 K € ,by Néret-Minet et Tessier in Paris (Drouot) on September 22 (Lot 236).

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Artcurial obtained excellent results on both rare items:
63 K € including fees for Lot 13.
58 K € including fees for Lot 7.

The album described above at Néret-Minet et Tessier has not been sold.