René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo — Asterix at the Olympic Games — First UK Edition, 1972

René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo — Asterix at the Olympic Games — First UK Edition, 1972

GOSCINNY, René; UDERZO, Albert.
Asterix at the Olympic Games.
Leicester: Brockhampton Press, 1972. First UK edition. Quarto. Illustrated throughout in colour. Original pictorial laminated boards.

Description

A bright first UK edition of Asterix at the Olympic Games, published by Brockhampton Press in 1972 and one of the best-known titles in René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo’s celebrated Asterix series.

Originally published in French as Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques, the story sends Asterix, Obelix and their fellow Gauls to Greece to compete in the Olympic Games. Their participation leads to a series of comic confrontations involving athletic competition, national rivalry, sporting regulations and the question of whether magical assistance constitutes an unfair advantage.

The book is a particularly good example of the way Goscinny used the ancient world to parody recognisably modern institutions. The Olympic setting provides opportunities for satire on competitive sport, bureaucracy, national pride and sporting rules, while Uderzo’s illustrations combine classical architecture and costume with the exaggerated physical comedy that became central to the series.

The English version was translated by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge, whose adaptations were instrumental in establishing Asterix with British readers. Their translations preserve much of Goscinny’s wordplay and verbal humour while adapting jokes and character names effectively for an English-speaking audience.

Uderzo’s artwork is reproduced throughout in full colour. The striking pictorial front board depicts Asterix on the winners’ podium with a laurel wreath, accompanied by Obelix and Getafix, against a classical Olympic setting. The rear board carries the familiar image of Asterix following Obelix beneath his menhir, with a list of previously published titles. The original printed price of 70p and ISBN 0 340 15991 4 appear to the lower rear board.

A desirable early British Asterix edition and an attractive example of the first UK printing.

Condition

Very good. The original pictorial laminated boards are bright and clean, with only very minor marks and slight creasing. The binding remains tight and firm. Internally, the pages are very nice and clean throughout with minor toning to the front free endpaper. The colour illustrations retain their original freshness and clarity. A bright, clean and well-preserved copy.

Bibliographical Details

Authors: René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Illustrator: Albert Uderzo
Title: Asterix at the Olympic Games
Publisher: Brockhampton Press
Place of Publication: Leicester
Date: 1972
Edition: First UK edition
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout in colour
Binding: Original pictorial laminated boards
Printed Price: 70p
ISBN: 0 340 15991 4
Condition: Very good

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