Nestor With The Feather Duster – Figurines Tintin La Collection Officielle – 31 – Nestor Au Plumeau

Author: Hergé & Editions Moulinsart
Price: £40.00
Publisher: Editions Moulinsart
Publication date: 2012
Format: Original pictorial boards with passport and figurine
Condition: In near fine condition
Illustrations: Illustrated throughout

Description:

Original pictorial boards. Includes passport loosely inserted. Text in French. Includes the accompanying figurine. One from the collection of 111 books and figurines. Very slight wear. In very near fine, clean condition overall.

Nestor: A Short Biography

Nestor is the devoted butler of Marlinspike Hall and one of the most steadfast supporting characters in Hergé’s The Adventures of Tintin. Though not an adventurer himself, he provides a quiet anchor for Tintin and Captain Haddock’s world, embodying discretion, loyalty, and a sense of civilised calm amidst the chaos that surrounds his employers.

Character Profile

Nestor is drawn as a tall, dignified man with neatly parted hair, a composed expression, and impeccable manners. He typically wears a traditional butler’s tailcoat and gloves, reflecting his professionalism and attention to decorum. His speech is courteous and precise, and his movements deliberate, suggesting a man entirely dedicated to service and propriety.

He is patient and unflappable, traits essential for a butler in a household as unpredictable as Marlinspike Hall. However, Hergé subtly endows him with warmth and humanity: his polite restraint conceals genuine affection for both Captain Haddock and Tintin.

First Appearance: The Secret of the Unicorn

Nestor first appears in The Secret of the Unicorn, where he serves as butler to the criminals Bird Brothers, who have illegally taken over Marlinspike Hall. At first, his loyalties seem ambiguous, but it soon becomes clear that he is unaware of his employers’ criminal activities. Once the Bird Brothers are exposed and arrested, Nestor chooses to remain at Marlinspike, joining Captain Haddock as his trusted servant.

This decision establishes Nestor’s moral character: he is honest, conscientious, and values integrity above personal security.

Development Across the Series

From Red Rackham’s Treasure onwards, Nestor becomes a permanent fixture of the Marlinspike household. His presence provides continuity and domestic order while Tintin, Haddock, and Professor Calculus embark on global adventures.

Nestor’s calm demeanour often contrasts with Haddock’s volatile temper and Professor Calculus’s absent-mindedness. Whether fielding unwanted visits from the tiresome insurance agent Séraphin Lampion, dealing with Thomson and Thompson’s blunders, or coping with damage caused by Calculus’s experiments, Nestor remains composed and loyal.

In The Calculus Affair, Nestor displays quiet courage, assisting Tintin and Haddock as they contend with espionage and danger. Though not a man of action, he proves reliable and discreet, ensuring Marlinspike remains a safe haven.

Relationship with Other Characters

Nestor’s relationship with Captain Haddock is central to his role. He treats Haddock with deep respect and affection, balancing obedience with gentle tact. His patience in dealing with the Captain’s moods and temper demonstrates both professionalism and personal loyalty.

With Tintin, Nestor’s manner is respectful but friendly; he regards Tintin almost as a family member. He also shows kindness towards Professor Calculus, even when the latter’s inventions wreak havoc in the house. His interactions with Snowy are often humorous, revealing a fond tolerance for the dog’s antics.

Personality and Symbolism

Nestor embodies the archetype of the loyal retainer — a man who values service, honour, and discretion. While his life at Marlinspike is a backdrop to Tintin’s adventures, Nestor symbolises the stability and order that make those adventures possible. His presence reassures readers that there is always a safe, well-kept home waiting at the end of each perilous journey.

Thematic Significance

In Tintin’s universe, Nestor represents continuity and tradition. As Tintin’s world expands to encompass the Moon, the Andes, and the deserts of Arabia, Marlinspike Hall — under Nestor’s careful stewardship — remains a constant. His role underscores the theme of loyalty that runs throughout the series: just as Tintin is faithful to his friends, Nestor’s devotion ensures that the household functions smoothly no matter the chaos beyond its gates.

Legacy

Although a supporting figure, Nestor is one of Hergé’s most quietly enduring creations. His courteous composure, integrity, and good humour contribute to the warmth and humanity of the Tintin stories. He never seeks recognition, yet his unobtrusive efficiency and loyalty make him indispensable to the life of Marlinspike Hall.

In the end, Nestor stands as a symbol of steadfast service and moral steadiness — the silent guardian of Tintin’s home and the calm at the centre of every storm.

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Cataloguer: Daniel Hornsey

Daniel Hornsey has specialised in fine and rare books, ephemera, and collectors’ editions for over thirty years. As a long-standing member of the antiquarian book trade, he has advised private collectors, curated catalogues, and sourced works for leading dealers, libraries and institutions across the world.

Hornseys’ exhibit regularly at book and map fairs in London and throughout the UK and are members of the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association, the PBFA.

His fascination with Hergé’s work — especially ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ — began in childhood. Daniel recalls reading Tintin in original European editions and quickly recognising that these were not merely children’s books, but finely illustrated narratives crafted with artistic depth and wit.

As noted by the Musée Hergé in Louvain-la-Neuve, Hergé’s ‘ligne claire’ style has influenced generations of European comic artists and his original drawings and paintings command very high prices with his painting of ‘The Blue Lotus’ jar fetching £2.8m at auction in 2021.

By presenting these works through Hornseys’, he hopes to contribute to the continued appreciation of one of the 20th century’s most influential illustrators, helping new generations discover the artistry and legacy of Hergé.