Hergé — Tintin in America — First UK Edition, 1978

HERGÉ.
The Adventures of Tintin: Tintin in America.
London: Methuen Children’s Books, 1978. First UK edition. Quarto. Illustrated throughout in colour. Translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner.

Description

The first UK edition of Tintin in America, published by Methuen Children’s Books in 1978 as part of the classic British Adventures of Tintin series.

Originally created in the early 1930s, Tintin in America belongs to the formative period of Hergé’s work. The story sends Tintin and Snowy to the United States, where the narrative ranges from the criminal underworld of Chicago to a highly stylised portrayal of the American West. Like several of Hergé’s earliest adventures, the work was later extensively revised and redrawn for the colour album format, and it is this developed version that became familiar to British readers.

This 1978 Methuen edition is the first British edition, an important point for collectors of the UK Tintin series. The copyright page records “First published in Great Britain in 1978”, and the book carries the Methuen Children’s Books imprint.

The album is translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner, whose English versions of Hergé’s stories became the standard British translations and are central to the history of Tintin’s reception in the English-speaking world.

The pictorial boards retain the classic cover design associated with this title, while the rear board displays a gallery of other Tintin albums then available from Methuen, placing the book firmly within the late-1970s British series.

At Hornseys, early and first-edition Tintin books are individually examined with particular attention to edition statements, imprint, translation, binding, cover variant, completeness and condition. These details are especially important with Tintin because many of the albums went through numerous British printings and later reissues using closely related cover designs.

Condition

Very good plus. The red spine is very slightly faded and rubbed. The pictorial boards remain bright and attractive, with only slight rubbing and creasing and minor wear to the corners. The binding is tight and firm. Internally, the pages are generally nice and clean, with the usual slight toning to the text block. The colour illustrations remain bright and clear throughout.

Now housed in an easily removable clear acetate archive wrapper, protecting the original binding without alteration.

A particularly fresh example of the first UK edition.

Bibliographical Details

Author / Illustrator: Hergé
Title: Tintin in America
Series: The Adventures of Tintin
Publisher: Methuen Children’s Books
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1978
Edition: First UK edition
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout in colour
Translators: Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner
Binding: Original colour pictorial boards with red spine
ISBN: 0 416 86120 2
Condition: Very good plus
Protective Covering: Easily removable clear acetate archive wrapper

Collecting Importance

The 1978 Methuen publication is significant as the first British edition of Tintin in America and forms part of the established run of first UK Tintin editions issued for the British market.

First UK editions in bright, clean condition are considerably more desirable than the numerous later Methuen and Egmont reprints. This example is particularly attractive because the boards remain strong in colour, the binding is firm and the internal condition is notably clean.

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.
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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.