Hergé — Cigars of the Pharaoh — First UK Paperback Edition, 1975

HERGÉ.
The Adventures of Tintin: Cigars of the Pharaoh.
London: Methuen Children’s Books, 1975. First UK paperback edition. Quarto. Illustrated throughout in colour. Translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner.

Description

The first UK paperback edition of Cigars of the Pharaoh, published by Methuen Children’s Books in 1975. The copyright statement records the British publication sequence as first published in Great Britain in 1971, reprinted in 1972 and published as a paperback in 1975, confirming this as the first British paperback issue.

One of the key early adventures in Hergé’s The Adventures of Tintin, Cigars of the Pharaoh begins with Tintin and Snowy travelling by sea before an apparently chance encounter leads them into a complex international criminal conspiracy. The adventure ranges through Egypt, Arabia and India and introduces several figures who became important recurring characters in the series.

The story is also bibliographically and narratively significant because it forms the first half of the sequence continued directly in The Blue Lotus. Hergé’s developing interest in international politics, organised crime and more sustained narrative construction is particularly evident across these two interconnected albums.

This English-language edition was translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner, whose translations became the established British versions of Hergé’s work.

The original pictorial wrappers reproduce the memorable Egyptian cover design, with Tintin and Snowy discovering the mysterious sarcophagi marked with the pharaoh’s emblem.

Condition

Very good. The spine is slightly rubbed. The original pictorial wrappers have minor rubbing and creasing, together with minor wear to the corners. The binding remains tight and firm. The pages are generally nice and clean, with the usual toning associated with the paper stock and age. A sound, attractive copy of the first UK paperback edition.

Bibliographical Details

Author / Illustrator: Hergé
Title: The Adventures of Tintin: Cigars of the Pharaoh
Publisher: Methuen Children’s Books
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1975
Edition: First UK paperback edition
First UK hardback publication: 1971
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout in colour
Translators: Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner
Binding: Original colour pictorial wrappers
ISBN: 0 416 77420 2
Condition: Very good

Collecting Importance

The 1975 edition represents the first British paperback appearance of Cigars of the Pharaoh and is therefore a distinct issue within the publication history of the English-language Tintin series.

Early Methuen paperback editions were intended for regular reading and were consequently more vulnerable to spine wear, creasing and handling than their laminated-board counterparts. Copies retaining sound bindings, clean interiors and presentable original wrappers are therefore increasingly desirable to collectors assembling the early British editions.

As the opening half of the Cigars of the Pharaoh / Blue Lotus narrative sequence, this is also one of the more significant early Tintin titles from the standpoint of Hergé’s development as a storyteller.

About Hornseys

Hornseys has been dealing in rare books, illustrated books, maps, art and collectable material since 1976. Each book is individually examined, researched and catalogued before being offered for sale.

For early Tintin editions, we pay particular attention to the bibliographical details that distinguish first editions and early impressions from later printings, including publisher’s statements, binding designs, rear-board advertisements, price information and physical condition. Our aim is to provide collectors with clear, accurate and useful descriptions based on the individual copy being offered rather than generic catalogue information.

Hornseys is based in Ripon, North Yorkshire, and has nearly fifty years of experience handling collectable books and illustrated material.

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Hornseys has been established in Ripon, North Yorkshire, since 1976, giving us nearly fifty years of experience in handling rare books, illustrated books, maps, art and other collectable material.