Two Tintin 'museum pieces' bring more than £300,000 in Paris auction

Two collectibles went to auction described as "museum pieces," and were even more highly valued when they left the sales block on October 9.

An original and very scarce 1942 Tintin adventure sold for €35,032 at Artcurial's "L'univers du créateur de Tintin" (The universe of the creator of Tintin) sale.


One of Hergé's greatest works, Le Sceptre D'Ottokar (detail)

Les Cigars Du Pharaon (Cigars of the Pharaoh) had originally been estimated at €25,000-30,000. But collectors clearly couldn't resist the unblemished first edition starring Belgium's favourite cartoon boy reporter.

And it was by no means the starring lot in Artcurial's auction which, as its name suggests, was dedicated to the work of the renowned artist Hergé.

Another Hergé work, this time dated to 1939 and titled Le Sceptre D'Ottokar (King Ottokar's Sceptre), signed by the artist himself auctioned with a €250,000-300,000 estimate.


Les Cigars Du Pharaon (Cigars of the Pharaoh), from 1942

Billed as a "museum piece" and in "excellent condition [with] some light spots and foxing in the margins," Le Sceptre D'Ottokar is considered one of the highlights of Hergé's vast canon.

It contains all of his trademark elements, including political comment, mystery and symbolism.

In the end, the vintage adventure sold for €307,800, over 10 times the value Les Cigars Du Pharaon - further consolidating Hergé's status as a national treasure, and also as a great alternative investment.

 

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