Hergé — The Blue Lotus — First UK Edition, 1983

HERGÉ.
The Adventures of Tintin: The Blue Lotus.
London: Methuen Children’s Books, 1983. First UK edition. Quarto. Illustrated throughout in colour. Translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner.

Description

The first UK edition of The Blue Lotus, published by Methuen Children’s Books in 1983, and one of the key volumes in the British history of Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin.

Originally serialised in Le Petit Vingtième in 1934–35, The Blue Lotus represents a major turning point in Hergé’s development as both storyteller and visual chronicler. The adventure is set largely in China against the background of the Japanese occupation of Manchuria and the political tensions of the early 1930s.

Of particular importance was Hergé’s friendship and collaboration with the Chinese artist Zhang Chongren, whose knowledge of Chinese language, culture, calligraphy and contemporary politics profoundly influenced the book. The result was a marked shift away from the broad caricature and limited research of Hergé’s earliest albums towards a more informed, observational and historically grounded approach. For this reason, The Blue Lotus is widely regarded as one of the most significant works in the Tintin canon.

The album also forms a direct continuation of Cigars of the Pharaoh, with Tintin travelling to Shanghai and becoming involved in a complex story of espionage, political intrigue and organised crime.

This Methuen edition is the first publication of the title in Great Britain, as confirmed by the copyright page statement “First published in Great Britain in 1983.” The familiar English translation is by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner, whose work established the standard British-language editions of the Tintin series.

At Hornseys, early and first-edition Tintin volumes are individually examined and catalogued with particular attention to edition statements, imprint, translation, binding, cover design, condition and completeness. These details are essential with Tintin, where numerous later printings can closely resemble the first British editions.

Condition

Near fine. The blue spine is very slightly rubbed. The pictorial boards are bright and attractive, with only very slight rubbing and creasing and minor wear to the corners. The binding is tight and firm. Internally, the pages are very nice and clean, with the colour illustrations remaining strong and fresh. Now housed in an easily removable clear acetate archive wrapper, protecting the original binding without alteration. A particularly pleasing example of this important first UK edition.

Bibliographical Details

Author / Illustrator: Hergé
Title: The Blue Lotus
Series: The Adventures of Tintin
Publisher: Methuen Children’s Books
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1983
Edition: First UK edition
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout in colour
Translators: Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner
Binding: Original colour pictorial boards with blue spine
ISBN: 0 416 44460 1
Condition: Near fine
Protective Covering: Easily removable clear acetate archive wrapper

Collecting Importance

The Blue Lotus occupies a particularly important place in the Tintin series because it marks Hergé’s transition towards the more researched, culturally informed and politically aware storytelling that characterised his mature work.

The 1983 Methuen first UK edition is therefore especially desirable within a collection of British Tintin first editions. Copies in near fine condition, with bright boards, a firm binding and clean interiors, are increasingly attractive to collectors assembling the Methuen series in first-edition form.

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.

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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.