Hergé — Land of Black Gold — First UK Paperback Edition, 1975

HERGÉ.
The Adventures of Tintin: Land of Black Gold.
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 Land of Black Gold, published by Methuen Children’s Books in 1975. The copyright statement records the British publication sequence as first published in Great Britain in 1972 and published as a paperback in 1975, confirming this as the first British paperback issue.

One of Hergé’s most politically charged Tintin adventures, Land of Black Gold centres on a mysterious wave of petrol explosions and the threat posed to international oil supplies. Tintin’s investigation leads him to the fictional Middle Eastern state of Khemed, where industrial espionage, political rivalry and the struggle for control of oil resources drive the narrative.

The album is particularly interesting within the Tintin canon because of its complicated publication history. Hergé began the story before the Second World War, subsequently returned to it, and revised elements of the setting and narrative over time. The finished adventure consequently reflects several stages in the development of the series.

The British edition was translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner, whose work established the familiar English-language voices of Tintin, Captain Haddock and the other principal characters for generations of British readers.

The striking pictorial wrapper depicts Tintin and his companions speeding across the desert in the red jeep, framed by an architectural design and Arabic lettering beneath the title.

Condition

Very good. The spine is slightly rubbed. The original colour 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 age and the paper stock. A sound and attractive copy of the first UK paperback edition.

Bibliographical Details

Author / Illustrator: Hergé
Title: The Adventures of Tintin: Land of Black Gold
Publisher: Methuen Children’s Books
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1975
Edition: First UK paperback edition
First UK hardback publication: 1972
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout in colour
Translators: Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner
Binding: Original colour pictorial wrappers
ISBN: 0 416 83620 8
Condition: Very good

Collecting Importance

The 1975 issue is the first British paperback edition of Land of Black Gold and forms part of the early Methuen paperback sequence sought by collectors of English-language Tintin editions.

The title has particular bibliographical interest because of its unusually long and complex development history, while its themes of oil supply, political instability and commercial rivalry make it one of Hergé’s more overtly geopolitical adventures.

Early Methuen paperback editions were intended for regular use and are often encountered with substantial spine and wrapper wear. Copies retaining firm bindings, complete wrappers and clean interiors are therefore increasingly worthwhile additions to a collection of first UK Tintin editions.

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.