Tintin By Plane – 45 – The Seaplane Of The Airmail Service From The Broken Ear – L’Hydravion De La Poste Aérienne De L’Oreille Cassée – En Avion Tintin

Author: Hergé & Editions Moulinsart
Price: £65.00
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 Broken Ear: A Brief Account

The Broken Ear (L’Oreille cassée), first published in 1937, is one of the most atmospheric and politically perceptive volumes in The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé (Georges Remi). It represents a turning point in the series, where the narrative expands beyond pure adventure into moral and geopolitical commentary. Set largely in South America, the story blends mystery, satire, and ethnographic observation, showcasing Hergé’s growing artistic maturity and his interest in the darker realities of human greed and conflict.

The plot begins in Belgium, when a small museum devoted to ethnography reports the theft of a tribal Arumbaya fetish, a wooden statue distinguished by its broken ear. Tintin, intrigued by the case, discovers that the stolen object has been replaced by a clever forgery. His investigation leads him from Europe to the fictional South American republics of San Theodoros and Nuevo Rico, where he uncovers a tangled conspiracy involving murder, espionage, and a corrupt arms trade.

The fetish itself becomes the narrative’s central symbol—a relic both sacred and coveted, embodying the clash between indigenous culture and Western exploitation. It is ultimately revealed to conceal a secret connected to stolen diamonds, linking the museum theft to a global network of avarice and deceit. Through this device, Hergé crafts a story that is both detective mystery and moral fable, examining the destructive consequences of colonial greed.

The journey to South America provides the backdrop for some of Hergé’s most vivid world-building. San Theodoros and Nuevo Rico, the rival republics locked in perpetual border conflict, are thinly disguised parodies of real Latin American nations frequently destabilised by foreign interests and military coups. Hergé depicts these states with a mixture of humour and realism: flamboyant generals, staged revolutions, and cynical politicians all contribute to an atmosphere of chaos tinged with irony. The portrayal of General Alcazar, introduced here for the first time, would become a recurring motif throughout the Tintin series—a satirical emblem of power’s instability and vanity.

Thematically, The Broken Ear exposes the corruption of idealism by profit. The arms dealers Basil Bazarov and J. G. Dawson, fictionalised caricatures of international merchants of death, exploit the rivalry between the two republics for financial gain. Their duplicity—selling weapons to both sides—mirrors the moral vacuum that drives the story. Tintin’s role, as always, is that of the incorruptible observer: intelligent, fearless, and morally steadfast. He navigates a world of deceit, violence, and opportunism, remaining a beacon of integrity in an age of cynicism.

Artistically, the album demonstrates the consolidation of Hergé’s ligne claire style: clean, economical lines; precise architectural and mechanical detail; and disciplined visual composition. The artwork combines clarity with atmosphere, from the meticulous interiors of the museum to the dense jungles and riverboats of the Amazon basin. Hergé’s sense of geography and ethnographic curiosity lend authenticity to even the most fictional elements. Though based on second-hand sources—he had not yet travelled outside Europe—his visual imagination captures the rhythm and colour of a continent in turmoil.

Humour and irony play a vital role in tempering the story’s darker tone. Characters such as the blundering Colonel Alvarez and the bombastic General Tapioca (a later addition to the Tintin universe) add comic texture without undermining the serious undercurrents. Hergé balances satire and suspense with remarkable control, ensuring that the reader’s moral engagement deepens even as the pace of adventure quickens.

By its conclusion, The Broken Ear achieves a powerful equilibrium between entertainment and critique. The fetish is recovered, the mystery solved, yet the larger injustices of greed and war remain unresolved. Tintin’s victory is individual and ethical rather than systemic, underscoring Hergé’s growing awareness of the world’s complexity.

In retrospect, The Broken Ear stands as one of the first Tintin stories to weave together political realism, moral inquiry, and cinematic storytelling. It anticipates the sophistication of later works such as The Blue Lotus and The Calculus Affair, while retaining the spirit of classic adventure fiction.

Today, the album is admired not only for its gripping plot and elegant draughtsmanship but also for its sharp social insight. It captures an interwar world shaped by imperialism, commerce, and propaganda, viewed through the clear moral lens of its young hero. In every respect, The Broken Ear marks a crucial step in Hergé’s transformation from storyteller to social commentator—a work that combines intrigue, artistry, and conscience with enduring power.

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.
• Customer Satisfaction: We aim to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If you wish to return an item, it may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt. Please notify us in advance if you wish to do so. The item must be returned in the same condition as it was sent for a full refund.

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.