Tintin By Plane – 46 – The C.48 Prootype From The Testament Of Mr Pump – Le Prototype C.48 Du Testament De M Pump – 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.

The Testament Of M. Pump: A Brief Account

Le Testament de M. Pump (Mr Pump’s Legacy) is one of the earliest full-length comic stories created under the direction of Hergé (Georges Remi), first published in 1938–1939 in Le Petit Vingtième. Though not part of The Adventures of Tintin, it belongs to Hergé’s wider creative universe and reflects his artistic supervision of The Adventures of Jo, Zette et Jocko, a series produced to appeal to younger readers and parents seeking more “wholesome” entertainment than the rebellious escapades of Tintin.

Origins and Context

Le Testament de M. Pump was the second major adventure in The Adventures of Jo, Zette et Jocko, following Le “Manitoba” ne répond plus (The “Manitoba” No Longer Answers). The Jo and Zette series was conceived at the request of Abbé Norbert Wallez, Hergé’s former editor at Le Vingtième Siècle, who wanted a family-friendly comic strip with strong moral and religious values. Unlike Tintin, who was independent and often globe-trotting alone, Jo and Zette Legrand were siblings who lived with their parents, embodying an idealised French-speaking middle-class family. Their adventures were accompanied by Jocko, their clever pet chimpanzee.

Synopsis

The story begins with the death of an eccentric American billionaire named Mr Pump, an inventor and aviation enthusiast who leaves behind a remarkable will. In his testament, he declares that a vast fortune will be awarded to whoever succeeds in flying non-stop around the world in one of his specially designed aircraft, the Spirit of Icarus, without refuelling. This audacious challenge—clearly inspired by the real-life feats of Charles Lindbergh and the golden age of aviation—triggers global excitement.

Jo and Zette’s father, Mr Legrand, an aeronautical engineer, becomes involved in the project through his work at the firm Stratosphère Aviation. He is tasked with constructing and testing the aircraft, which is designed to carry enough fuel for a single continuous flight around the planet. The children, fascinated by the prospect of adventure, become inadvertently involved in the enterprise, accompanied by their loyal companion, Jocko.

The story unfolds across several continents, blending technical ingenuity, exotic adventure, and espionage. Rival industrialists and criminal agents attempt to sabotage the project, hoping to steal the aircraft or claim the prize money themselves. The narrative includes acts of sabotage, aerial chases, and moral lessons about perseverance, courage, and integrity—qualities that align closely with Hergé’s Catholic moral outlook of the 1930s.

Eventually, Jo, Zette, and Jocko find themselves aboard the Spirit of Icarus during a test flight that turns into the actual global journey. Despite numerous obstacles—mechanical failures, storms, and enemy pursuit—they complete the record-breaking flight, securing Mr Pump’s legacy and affirming the triumph of honesty and teamwork over greed and deceit.

Artistic and Thematic Qualities

Though Le Testament de M. Pump was not drawn by Hergé alone, it was produced under his supervision at the Studios Hergé. The clean lines, well-composed panels, and precision of the mechanical drawings reflect Hergé’s influence and the same ligne claire principles that define Tintin’s world. Aircraft, laboratories, and machinery are rendered with meticulous realism, demonstrating Hergé’s and his team’s fascination with technology and innovation.

Thematically, the story reflects interwar optimism in science and aviation—a faith in human ingenuity and the promise of progress. It also contains a strong moral dimension: the triumph of integrity, courage, and family loyalty over corruption and selfish ambition. Unlike Tintin, whose world often touches on political satire and philosophical depth, Jo, Zette et Jocko occupies a more didactic space, with an emphasis on obedience, cooperation, and respect for authority.

Publication and Reception

Le Testament de M. Pump was first serialised in Le Petit Vingtième between 1938 and 1939, before being published in book form by Casterman in 1951. Its publication was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War, which curtailed many of Hergé’s projects. While it never reached the global fame of the Tintin series, the story has remained admired for its energy, craftsmanship, and inventive storytelling.

Critically, it is recognised as an important transitional work within Hergé’s creative career. It demonstrates his ability to construct tightly organised adventure plots around technological themes—a skill that would later mature in Destination Moon and Explorers on the Moon. The characterisation of Jo and Zette, while less dynamic than Tintin’s, provided young readers of the time with moral exemplars of bravery and intelligence within a family framework.

Legacy

Today, Le Testament de M. Pump is valued for its historical and artistic significance. It captures the spirit of late 1930s Europe—an age captivated by the possibilities of flight and progress, yet shadowed by political uncertainty. In literary and cultural terms, it represents an extension of Hergé’s world: a more domestic, morally grounded companion to the cosmopolitan Tintin.

While less frequently reprinted and not as universally known, Le Testament de M. Pump remains a testament—aptly to its title—to Hergé’s narrative imagination and his team’s technical artistry. It offers insight into the evolving visual language, moral tone, and thematic ambition that would later make The Adventures of Tintin a global classic.

Why Buy from Us?

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• Authenticity and Provenance: Each item is meticulously researched and verified for authenticity and collation.
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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.