Hergé — 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. Translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner.

Description

The first UK edition of Tintin in the Congo, published by Sundancer in 1991 and representing the first British publication in book form of one of the earliest adventures in Hergé’s celebrated Adventures of Tintin series. As the second Tintin adventure, Tintin in the Congo occupies an important place in the development of the series. It reflects the social attitudes and colonial assumptions of its period and is now chiefly of interest as a historical document within Hergé’s early work. Later editions have frequently included contextual material acknowledging its stereotypical and outdated representations. The British edition was translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner, the translators responsible for establishing the familiar English-language form of the Tintin series. This copy is identifiable as the first UK edition of 1991, with the copyright page stating “First published in Great Britain in 1991.”

At Hornseys, early and first-edition Tintin books are individually examined and catalogued with particular attention to edition statements, publisher, translation, binding, condition and issue points, all of which are important when distinguishing genuine first British editions from later printings.

Condition

Near fine. The dark green cloth spine is clean. The pictorial boards are nice and clean, with only slight rubbing, very minor creasing and very minor wear to the corners. The binding is tight and firm. The pages are generally very nice and clean, with the usual toning to the text block. Now housed in an easily removable clear acetate archive wrapper, providing protection to the original binding without alteration.

A particularly attractive copy of this first UK edition.

Bibliographical Details

Author / Illustrator: Hergé
Title: The Adventures of Tintin: Reporter for “Le Petit Vingtième” in the Congo
Common Title: Tintin in the Congo
Publisher: Sundancer
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1991
Edition: First UK edition
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout
Translators: Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner
Binding: Original pictorial boards with dark green cloth spine
ISBN: 2-203-02002-4
Condition: Near fine
Protective Covering: Easily removable clear acetate archive wrapper

Collecting Importance

Tintin in the Congo is significant as the second Tintin adventure and as an important document in the early development of Hergé’s visual and narrative style. The 1991 Sundancer edition is particularly relevant to collectors assembling the series in first British editions, as it brought this early title into the UK publishing sequence considerably later than many of the better-known Methuen volumes.

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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• 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.