The Adventures Of Tintin – The Secret Of The Unicorn – First Edition – 1959

Author: Hergé
Price: £125.00
Publisher: Methuen, London, UK
Publication date: 1959
Format: Original cloth-backed boards with pictorial endpapers
Condition: Good
Size: 23.2cm x 30.7cm
Pages: 62
Illustrations: Illustrated throughout in colour by the author

Description:

Published by Methuen, London, UK, 1959. 1st UK edition. Original cloth-backed boards. Pictorial endpapers. Size: 23.2cm x 30.7cm. Pp. 62. Illustrated throughout in colour by the author. Some rubbing to the spine and corners and with the usual fading to the spine. Minor rubbing to the edges. Split to the spine ot the lower front board but binding nice and tight and hinges very firm. Occasional minor age spots and toning to the text. A good, tight, clean copy.

‘The Secret Of The Unicorn’: A Brief Summary

The Secret of the Unicorn, first published in French in 1943, is the eleventh volume in Hergé’s The Adventures of Tintin. It marks the beginning of a two-part adventure, concluded in Red Rackham’s Treasure. Centred on a maritime mystery, it combines elements of detective fiction, historical intrigue, and classic adventure. The story also introduces key elements that would become central to the Tintin universe, including the acquisition of Marlinspike Hall.

The Market Discovery

The adventure begins when Tintin, browsing a street market, purchases a model ship called the Unicorn as a gift for his friend Captain Haddock. Almost immediately, Tintin attracts unwanted attention: various characters attempt to buy the model from him, often with suspicious eagerness. The interest arouses Tintin’s curiosity, and he soon discovers that the model conceals a secret.

Unbeknown to Tintin, the model is one of three identical replicas, each containing a parchment that, when combined, reveals the location of the treasure of the seventeenth-century pirate Red Rackham. This sets the stage for a mystery spanning both the past and present.

Historical Background

Captain Haddock explains the history of his ancestor, Sir Francis Haddock, a naval officer who once commanded the original ship, the Unicorn. In a vivid flashback sequence, Hergé recounts Sir Francis’s encounter with the pirate Red Rackham, culminating in the destruction of the ship and the concealment of its treasure. These passages enrich the narrative by linking Haddock’s family history to the unfolding mystery.

Theft and Investigation

Tintin soon finds himself embroiled in intrigue as his model of the Unicorn is stolen. The detectives Thomson and Thompson join the investigation, bringing their trademark comic ineptitude. Tintin pursues various leads, uncovering the existence of the parchments and the connection between the three model ships.

Meanwhile, a criminal syndicate led by the shadowy Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine (in later adaptations sometimes reimagined as the antagonist) seeks the parchments for themselves. Tintin faces attempted kidnappings, break-ins, and thefts, heightening the sense of danger.

The Mystery of the Parchments

Through perseverance and detective work, Tintin manages to recover one of the parchments. Eventually, the pieces of the puzzle fall into place: the three parchments together provide coordinates leading to the hidden treasure of Red Rackham. This revelation propels Tintin and Haddock towards the next stage of their adventure.

Themes and Style

The story is rich in themes of heritage, mystery, and adventure. Haddock’s ancestral connection to the Unicorn imbues the narrative with personal significance, while the combination of historical flashbacks and present-day intrigue provides narrative depth. The album balances suspense with humour, particularly in the antics of Thomson and Thompson, ensuring accessibility for readers of all ages.

Hergé’s ligne claire artistic style enhances the clarity of the narrative. Detailed depictions of ships, interiors, and street scenes lend authenticity, while the action sequences maintain brisk pacing.

Conclusion

The Secret of the Unicorn is a pivotal entry in The Adventures of Tintin, laying the groundwork for Red Rackham’s Treasure. It blends detective fiction with historical adventure, weaving together mystery, humour, and character development. The introduction of the Unicorn and the Haddock family legacy elevates the narrative, giving it a depth that resonates throughout the series. The story stands as one of Hergé’s most accomplished works, a testament to his ability to combine meticulous research with timeless storytelling.

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