Hergé — The Adventures of Tintin: In the Congo — First UK Edition, 1991

HERGÉ.
The Adventures of Tintin, Reporter for “Le Petit Vingtième”: In the Congo.
London: Sundancer, 1991. First UK edition. Quarto. Illustrated throughout in black and white. Original cream pictorial boards with dark green cloth spine. Translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner.

Description

The first UK edition of Tintin in the Congo, published by Sundancer in 1991 and an important British publication within the bibliography of Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin.

The story belongs to the very earliest period of Tintin’s development. It first appeared as a serial in 1930 in Le Petit Vingtième, the children’s supplement of the Belgian newspaper Le Vingtième Siècle, following directly after Tintin in the Land of the Soviets. This edition reproduces the early black-and-white form of the adventure, rather than the substantially redrawn and colourised version by which the story later became better known.

The original-style title, “The Adventures of Tintin, Reporter for ‘Le Petit Vingtième’, In the Congo”, is retained on the upper board and title page, making the edition particularly interesting for collectors concerned with the development of Tintin from its earliest newspaper and album appearances.

The publication includes a foreword explaining the historical background of the story and acknowledging the colonial attitudes and racial stereotypes reflected in the work. These elements are now understood as part of the historical context in which the book was created and distinguish Tintin in the Congo from Hergé’s increasingly sophisticated later albums. For collectors and researchers, the book is therefore of interest not simply as an early Tintin adventure but as evidence of the evolution of Hergé’s storytelling, visual language and outlook over the course of the series.

The English translation is by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner, the translators closely associated with the classic British editions of Tintin. The copyright page records “First published in Great Britain in 1991”, confirming the first UK edition, and gives the publisher as Sundancer, 34 Floral Street, London.

Unlike the standard Methuen Tintin albums familiar to generations of British readers, the Sundancer edition has a deliberately restrained design: cream pictorial boards, a dark green cloth spine and an inset reproduction of Tintin and Snowy in the Congo to the front board. Its format and presentation give it a markedly different appearance from the mainstream British Tintin series.

At Hornseys, early and first-edition Tintin books are individually examined with particular attention to edition statements, publishers, translations, binding variants, original format, completeness and condition. In the case of Tintin in the Congo, identifying the precise version is especially important because the work exists in materially different early black-and-white and later colour forms.

Condition

Very good indeed. The dark green cloth spine is clean. The original cream pictorial boards are slightly marked, with slight rubbing and creasing and minor wear to the corners. The binding remains tight and firm. Internally, the pages are generally nice and clean, with minor marks and the usual toning to the text block. The black-and-white illustrations remain clear and well defined throughout. Now housed in an easily removable clear acetate archive wrapper, protecting the original binding without alteration.

A very good indeed example of this distinctive and bibliographically important first British edition.

Bibliographical Details

Author / Illustrator: Hergé
Title: The Adventures of Tintin, Reporter for “Le Petit Vingtième”: In the Congo
Publisher: Sundancer
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1991
Edition: First UK edition
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout in black and white
Translators: Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner
Binding: Original cream pictorial boards with dark green cloth spine
ISBN: 0 9512799 4 7
Condition: Very good indeed
Protective Covering: Easily removable clear acetate archive wrapper

Collecting Importance

This 1991 Sundancer edition occupies an unusual position within British Tintin publishing. It introduced the early Congo adventure to the British market in a form deliberately reflecting Hergé’s original Le Petit Vingtième presentation, rather than assimilating it into the familiar run of colour Methuen albums.

As the first UK edition, and as a publication preserving the visual character of one of Tintin’s earliest adventures, it is an important addition to a collection documenting the publication history and development of Hergé’s work.

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.

Why Buy from Hornseys?

At Hornseys, we specialise in carefully selected rare, collectable and illustrated books, with particular attention to first editions, early impressions, signed copies and books of bibliographical or cultural importance. Every book is individually examined, researched and described before being offered for sale.

Our aim is to give collectors and readers clear, accurate information about the edition, issue, condition, completeness and distinguishing features of each copy.

• Authenticity and Bibliographical Accuracy: Every book is checked for edition, impression, publisher, binding, completeness and relevant points of issue. Where appropriate, signatures, inscriptions, provenance and other identifying features are also assessed and described.
• Experienced Curation: Hornseys has been dealing in books, art and collectable material since 1976. We select books for their significance, scarcity, condition, visual appeal and enduring interest, rather than simply for age or title.
• Individual Condition Assessment: Each copy is inspected in detail. We record significant faults as well as important features such as original dustwrappers, pictorial boards, inserts, maps, plates, signatures and ownership marks, so that buyers can make informed decisions.
• Detailed Cataloguing: Our descriptions are written from the individual book being offered. We aim to distinguish first editions and early impressions accurately and to identify the bibliographical points that matter to collectors.
• Customer Service and Secure Delivery: We are happy to provide further information where required and take particular care over packing and dispatch. Purchases are sent promptly and securely, with appropriate tracking and insurance.
• Unconditional Returns: Every book is offered with our unconditional guarantee. If you wish to return an item, it may be sent back within fourteen days of receipt for any reason, provided that we are notified in advance and the book is returned in the same condition in which it was supplied. A full refund will then be issued.

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.