2 - HERGÉ

HERGÉ The Adventures of Tintin Coke in Stock Graphite pencil on paper for the preparatory sketch of page 53 of this album, published in 1958 by Casterman. Pre-published in the magazine *Tintin* No. 44, October 30, 1957. Signed and inscribed. Sketches on the reverse showing Tintin and Haddock, very agitated, having just spotted a periscope. A remarkable example demonstrating the importance of this preparatory work, into which Hergé poured all his energy—even if it meant crossing out and overdrawing each image—and which allows the “ligne claire” style to emerge through the turbulence of the lines. And a very dynamic scene, with Tintin, Haddock, and the Estonian pilot Piotr Szut in grave danger: they must face a former U-boat (“Ha! Ha! A submarine! “Why not the entire Home Fleet?” exclaims Haddock) that will try to send them to the bottom. Fortunately, the fighting spirit of the captain of *La Licorne* will inspire them. Hergé took great care in crafting the final scenes and in recreating the maritime atmosphere: the Ramona’s equipment and interior layout are those of a real merchant ship. 55 x 36.5 cm. Tintin and Captain Haddock have learned of a human trafficking ring operating via the Khemed. In Wadesdah, the capital, there has been a coup d’état, and Emir Ben Kalish Ezab has been overthrown by Sheikh Bab El Ehr, who was secretly supported by the Marquis di Gorgonzola, a fake Italian aristocrat but a genuine criminal of international stature behind whom lurks Roberto Rastapoulos, a diabolical character whom Tintin has been fighting since *Cigars of the Pharaoh*. So here they are in the Red Sea, aboard the freighter Ramona, which is secretly transporting explosives and ammunition, as well as unfortunate Africans who do not know that instead of going on a pilgrimage to Mecca, they are going to be sold into slavery. The ship was abandoned by its crew, who had planned to blow up the cargo so that it would sink to the bottom of the sea along with its troublesome passengers. Somehow, Tintin and Haddock have regained control of the situation and are now heading toward Djibouti. Szut has just repaired the broken radio, and Tintin hurries to tell Haddock the good news, accidentally bumping into him in the process: “It works!… Really?… Well, I hope she at least knows where she’s going!” replies the captain. But they are still far from out of the woods: Rastapoulos doesn’t want his various illicit activities to be exposed, and without the slightest scruple, he has sent a submarine to torpedo the freighter. As he watches harmless flying fish skimming the waves, a terrified Tintin spots the warship that has taken up the chase: “They want to sink us!” he shouts. At first panicked himself by this growing threat, and after a moment’s hesitation, Haddock pulls himself together, and, with all the energy for which he is known, he takes command of the situation and demonstrates what an experienced and courageous sailor—one who has weathered far perilous, is capable of. By skillfully maneuvering (“Torpedo on the port side! Helm to starboard, hard!”…) and saving the Ramona, he thus honors the memory of his glorious ancestor, Chevalier François de Hadoque, captain in the navy of King Louis XIV, who defeated one of the most ferocious Brothers of the Coast. " HERGÉ