René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo — Asterix in Corsica — First UK Edition, 1979

René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo — Asterix in Corsica — First UK Edition, 1979

GOSCINNY, René; UDERZO, Albert.
Asterix in Corsica.
London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1979. First UK edition. Quarto. Illustrated throughout in colour. Original pictorial laminated boards.

Description

A bright first UK edition of Asterix in Corsica, published by Hodder & Stoughton in 1979 and one of the later adventures from the classic René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo period.

Originally published in French as Astérix en Corse, the story sends Asterix and Obelix to Corsica after they encounter a Corsican resistance leader imprisoned by the Romans. Their subsequent journey provides René Goscinny with an ideal setting for satire on regional identity, local pride, clan loyalties, politics and the relationship between occupied peoples and Roman authority.

The book is particularly notable for the way it extends the familiar theme of resistance beyond the Gaulish village itself. Corsica is presented as another fiercely independent society unwilling to submit quietly to Rome, allowing Goscinny to develop parallels between the Corsicans and the indomitable Gauls while making affectionate use of regional stereotypes.

The English translation is by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge, whose work played a central role in establishing Asterix with British readers. Their adaptations are admired for recreating Goscinny’s puns, idioms and cultural jokes in natural English while preserving the tone and comic rhythm of the original.

Albert Uderzo’s artwork is reproduced throughout in full colour. The front board shows Asterix, Obelix and Dogmatix against a detailed Corsican landscape, while the book opens with a full-colour map of Corsica identifying Roman settlements and locations used within the story. The rear board carries the familiar image of Asterix following Obelix beneath his menhir, which lists earlier titles in the series.

The copyright page records the British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data, the English-language copyright for 1979, and ISBN 0 340 24074 1. The original printed UK price of £2.35 appears on the rear board.

A desirable first British edition and an attractive example of late-1970s Asterix publishing in the UK.

Condition

Very good. The original pictorial laminated boards are generally bright and clean, with minor marks, rubbing and light creasing. The binding is tight and firm. Internally, the pages are very nice and clean throughout, with the colour illustrations and maps remaining fresh and bright.

A very good, bright and clean copy.

Bibliographical Details

Authors: René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Illustrator: Albert Uderzo
Title: Asterix in Corsica
Original French Title: Astérix en Corse
Translators: Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1979
Edition: First UK edition
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout in colour
Binding: Original pictorial laminated boards
Published Price: £2.35
ISBN: 0 340 24074 1
Condition: Very good

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