Hergé — The Shooting Star — First Reprint of the UK Edition, 1965

HERGÉ.
The Adventures of Tintin: The Shooting Star.
London: Methuen & Co. Ltd, 1965. First reprint of the UK edition. Quarto. Illustrated throughout in colour. Original pictorial boards. Now housed in an easily removable clear acetate archival wrapper.

Description

A good example of the first reprint of the UK edition of The Shooting Star, issued by Methuen in 1965, only four years after the book’s first British publication.

Originally published in French as L’Étoile mystérieuse, The Shooting Star is one of Hergé’s most visually imaginative Tintin adventures. After astronomers observe an enormous meteorite approaching Earth, a fragment falls into the Arctic Ocean and is found to contain an unknown element. Tintin joins an international scientific expedition aboard the Aurora in a race to locate the mysterious meteorite, accompanied by Snowy and Captain Haddock.

The adventure combines scientific speculation, polar exploration, maritime competition and fantasy. Hergé uses the strange properties of the meteorite to create some of the series’ most memorable imagery, including the enormous mushroom depicted on the front board, rapidly growing plants and extraordinarily enlarged insects.

The book also belongs to an important period in the development of Hergé’s ligne claire style, in which precise draughtsmanship, carefully controlled colour and uncluttered compositions give even the most fantastic elements a striking visual coherence. The maritime and Arctic sequences provide particularly strong examples of Hergé’s ability to create atmosphere through economical line and colour.

The British edition was translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner, whose translations were fundamental to the establishment of Tintin with English-speaking readers. The copyright page provides clear bibliographical identification, stating “First published in Great Britain in 1961” followed by “Reprinted 1965”, establishing this copy as the first UK reprint. Printing was undertaken by Casterman, Tournai, Belgium.

The original pictorial front board shows Tintin and Snowy confronting the gigantic red-and-white mushroom on the meteorite, one of the most distinctive cover designs in the series. The rear board retains the early Methuen illustrated series advertisement and its original 9s 6d net price.

At Hornseys, early Tintin editions are individually examined and catalogued with particular attention to edition and impression statements, Methuen catalogue numbers, bindings, rear-board advertisements, original prices and physical condition, all of which are relevant when distinguishing early British issues from later editions.

Condition

Good. The spine is slightly faded. The original pictorial boards show some marks, scuffs, rubbing and creasing consistent with age and use. 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 colour printing remains clear and attractive throughout.

The book is now housed in an easily removable clear acetate archival wrapper, providing protection while leaving the original binding unaltered.

A good and presentable example of the first UK reprint.

Bibliographical Details

Author / Illustrator: Hergé
Title: The Adventures of Tintin: The Shooting Star
Original French Title: L’Étoile mystérieuse
Translators: Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner
Publisher: Methuen & Co. Ltd
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1965
Edition: First reprint of the UK edition
First UK Publication: 1961
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout in colour
Binding: Original pictorial boards
Printed Price: 9s 6d net
Catalogue Number: 02/9259/03
Printer: Casterman, Tournai, Belgium
Condition: Good
Protective Covering: Easily removable clear acetate archival wrapper

Collecting the Early Methuen Tintin Editions

The early Methuen editions represent the period in which Tintin was becoming established with British readers. Their changing rear-board advertisements, prices, catalogue numbers and printing statements provide useful bibliographical evidence for collectors seeking to distinguish individual issues and impressions.

The Shooting Star is particularly memorable for its distinctive artwork and mixture of scientific adventure and fantasy, making these early British editions an attractive part of any collection devoted to Hergé or twentieth-century illustrated books.

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.
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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.