Tintin By Plane – 39 – The British European Airways Aeroplane In The Black Island – L’Avion De La British European Airways de L’Île Noire – En Avion Tintin

Author: Hergé & Editions Moulinsart
Price: £85.00
Publisher: Editions Moulinsart
Publication date: 2015
Format: Original pictorial boards with plane on plinth
Condition: In near fine condition
Illustrations: Illustrated throughout

Description:

Original pictorial boards. Text in French. Includes the accompanying model and figurine. One from the collection of 50 books and models. Very slight wear. In very near fine, clean condition overall.

Tintin in The Black Island: A Brief Account

The Black Island is an early Tintin story first published in 1938 and revised twice, most notably in 1966. It is set primarily in Britain and Scotland, making it distinctive as one of Tintin’s few British-set adventures.

The book blends:

• Mystery and criminal intrigue
• Atmospheric travel across Britain
• Encounters with rural characters and rugged landscapes
• A dramatic Gothic island setting with a lurking “monster”

The tone mixes adventure with detective work, and it is particularly admired for its moody environments and sense of pursuit.

Plot Summary

A mysterious encounter

Tintin witnesses a plane making a forced landing in the countryside. When he approaches to help, he is shot by the pilot and left for dead. Surviving with minor injuries, Tintin learns the aircraft is linked to a criminal gang involved in forgery and international counterfeiting.

Determined to uncover the truth, he follows the trail.

Chase across Britain

Tintin travels from Sussex through London and into Scotland, constantly pursued and obstructed by dangerous criminals who wish to silence him. Along the way:

• The police initially suspect him of wrongdoing
• Thompson and Thomson appear, typically bungling matters
• Tintin endures a series of ambushes, traps and escapes

He meets local villagers, railway workers, sailors, and Scottish highlanders, building a vivid social backdrop.

Towards the Black Island

Clues point to a remote island off the Scottish coast — the Black Island — long rumoured to be haunted and inhabited by a terrifying creature. The locals fear it, and Tintin’s decision to go there marks a classic “gothic quest” moment.

Joined by Snowy, he travels across harsh moorland and rugged coastline, encountering wild animals and remote life.

The Castle and the Beast

On the island stands a ruined castle, dramatically perched above crashing waves. Inside, Tintin discovers:

• A forgers’ headquarters stocked with printing presses
• A gang led by the sinister Dr Müller (a recurring villain)
• The so-called “monster” — a gorilla named Ranko

Ranko is not a supernatural beast but a frightened animal exploited by criminals, echoing Hergé’s recurring theme of misunderstood creatures.

Resolution

Tintin assaults the castle, escapes captivity, and cleverly exposes the counterfeit ring. The authorities intervene, Müller’s gang is arrested, and the operation is dismantled.

Ranko, far from being a monster, survives and finds safety — underscoring Tintin’s empathy and the humane resolution typical of Hergé’s best work.

Key Themes

Criminal intrigue and pursuit

The story reads like a fast-paced detective thriller, full of chases, disguises and reversals.

Atmospheric setting

Scotland is depicted with:

• Mist-shrouded moors
• Fishing ports and railways
• Storm-lashed coastline and gothic ruins

These elements enrich the mood and make it one of Tintin’s most cinematic adventures.

Fear versus reality

The “monster” legend heightens suspense but ultimately reveals human guilt, not supernatural threat — a rationalist structure common to early Tintin.

Human and animal sympathy

Ranko’s fate highlights Hergé’s interest in compassion and the misuse of animals, a thread also seen in Tintin in Tibet and The Shooting Star.

Art and Editions

• 1938 original: rawer, more direct adventure spirit
• 1943 version: minor corrections
• 1966 “British-corrected” edition: drawn with updated visuals after British publishers requested accuracy in trains, cars, uniforms and geography

The 1966 edition is the most widely published today and notable for its beautiful depiction of British and Scottish detail.

Legacy

The Black Island remains beloved for its atmosphere, pace and strong sense of place. It showcases Hergé’s growing artistic confidence and flair for adventure plotting, and it presages the more sophisticated albums to come.

It is often recommended to readers discovering Tintin for the first time, especially those from the UK, due to its familiar settings and brisk narrative charm.

Why Buy from Us?

At Hornseys, we are committed to offering items that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our collection of objects and rare books are carefully curated to ensure each edition is a valuable piece of bibliographical history. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Each item is meticulously researched and verified for authenticity and collation.
• Expert Curation: Our selection process focuses on significance, condition, and rarity, resulting in a collection that is both diverse and distinguished.
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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.