Tintin By Plane – 7 – The Orange Aeroplane In The Cigars Of The Pharaoh – L’Avion Orange Des Cigares Du Pharaon – En Avion Tintin

Author: Hergé & Editions Moulinsart
Price: £65.00
Publisher: Editions Moulinsart
Publication date: 2014
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 Cigars Of The Pharaoh: A Brief Account

Cigars of the Pharaoh is one of the pivotal early instalments in The Adventures of Tintin, marking a decisive step in Hergé’s transition from simple episodic storytelling to more coherent, sophisticated, and globally aware narratives. First published in the early 1930s and later comprehensively redrawn and revised, the book holds a crucial place in the evolution of both the series and Hergé’s artistic approach.

Background and Significance

Written during a period of expanding European fascination with Egyptology, global travel, and archaeological discovery, Cigars of the Pharaoh reflects the atmosphere of the interwar years. Hergé drew upon popular accounts of ancient tombs, the myth of the pharaohs’ curses, and the increasing media attention to international smuggling and espionage. In doing so, he produced a work that feels rooted in global curiosities of the era while also revealing his own developing skill in long-form narrative design.

This volume is especially significant as the first Tintin story that moves away from overt political satire and towards the globe-trotting mystery-adventure format that would define the series. It also introduces recurring characters who would become central to Tintin’s world, most notably the twin detectives Thompson and Thomson.

Plot Overview

1. Encounter with Professor Sarcophagus

The story begins with Tintin enjoying a Mediterranean cruise, where he meets Professor Sophocles Sarcophagus, an eccentric Egyptologist whose enthusiasm far outweighs his organisational ability. This meeting sets the entire plot in motion. Sarcophagus’s invitation to visit a newly discovered tomb draws Tintin into a mysterious chain of events involving ancient artefacts, cryptic symbols, and a shadowy cartel.

2. The Tomb of Kih-Oskh

In Egypt, Tintin explores the tomb of the fictional pharaoh Kih-Oskh, discovering not only a series of sarcophagi containing people in a state of suspended animation, but also a cache of cigarettes and cigars bearing an enigmatic mark. These items hint at an international smuggling network, presenting Tintin with a mystery that far exceeds archaeological curiosity.

3. A Web of Criminality

The story unfolds across deserts, ports, and cities as Tintin becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving narcotics trafficking. He is repeatedly framed, pursued by the police, and forced into a series of daring escapes. Although the criminal mastermind is not openly named at this stage, the adventure introduces key elements of the broader universe of Tintin’s adversaries.

4. Encounters in Arabia

Tintin’s journey takes him into Arabia, where he survives desert bandits, aerial attacks, and a dramatic chase across gruelling terrain. This section of the narrative reflects Hergé’s growing appetite for cultural detail, however stylised, and reveals a shift away from caricature towards more nuanced scene-setting.

5. India and the Climax

The story reaches its peak in India, where Tintin uncovers the inner workings of the smuggling organisation. He meets the Maharaja of Gaipajama and confronts the cult-like group associated with the mysterious cigar symbol. Elements of mind-control, hypnotic influence, and pseudo-mysticism heighten the stakes. The conspiracy is eventually exposed, although several threads are left intentionally unresolved, paving the way for the immediate sequel, The Blue Lotus.

Characters of Note

Tintin

Already established as a young reporter with an unwavering sense of justice, Tintin becomes more fully developed here as a rational investigator capable of navigating complex international intrigue.

Snowy

While maintaining his comic role, Snowy often provides practical assistance, and his reactions reflect the tension and humour characteristic of early Tintin work.

Professor Sarcophagus

A parody of excitable Egyptologists of the period, Sarcophagus is both endearing and chaotic. His presence situates the story within the popular fascination with tombs and hidden curses.

Thompson and Thomson

This book marks the first full appearance of the detective duo. Their misguided yet well-meaning incompetence foreshadows their long-standing role as sources of comedy and occasional obstruction.

Themes and Interpretative Notes

1. Global Modernity and Crime

The novel reflects contemporary anxieties about international smuggling, the movement of illicit goods, and shadowy transnational organisations. Hergé’s depiction of a far-reaching criminal network anticipates modern spy fiction’s narrative structures.

2. Satire of Amateur Archaeology

Professor Sarcophagus embodies both the enthusiasm and the folly found among early twentieth-century hobbyists. The story playfully critiques the sensationalism surrounding tomb discoveries and alleged curses.

3. Early Anti-Colonial Consciousness

Although still shaped by the limitations of interwar European viewpoints, Cigars of the Pharaoh begins to hint at Hergé’s shift towards greater cultural research. This direction would mature significantly in The Blue Lotus, influenced by Hergé’s collaboration with Zhang Chongren.

4. Development of Narrative Cohesion

The plot, while adventurous and episodic, is far more cohesive than earlier Tintin adventures. Hergé’s growing control over pacing, visual storytelling, and long-term character planning is evident.

Artistic Evolution

The redrawn 1955 edition is particularly polished. Hergé’s adoption of the ligne claire style is fully realised, characterised by:

• clean line work,
• balanced composition,
• restrained but vivid colour,
• careful architectural and cultural references.

This clarity enhances both readability and thematic resonance.

Legacy

Cigars of the Pharaoh remains a foundational work in the Tintin canon. It is widely regarded not only as an entertaining adventure but also as a turning point in Hergé’s artistic maturation. Its combination of mystery, archaeology, political intrigue, and humour established many of the hallmarks that would define Tintin’s enduring global appeal.

Why Buy from Us?

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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.