7 - HERGÉ

HERGÉ Tintin and Snowy Indian ink and watercolor on paper for an illustration depicting these two characters. Signed and inscribed. Comes with the original envelope. A classic composition, similar to that found, for example, on the Hergé Studios letterhead. The inking and coloring are exceptionally refined. Hergé rarely gave away drawings of this kind. This lengthy dedication attests to the attention he paid to readers whose messages had touched him. 22.5 x 16.8 cm. In 1962, the serialization of *The Castafiore Emerald* in *Tintin* magazine continued, much to the delight of readers—and also to that of Hergé, who enjoyed leading them down the wrong path. A television crew has set up shop at Moulinsart to film a program dedicated to the opera singer, much to Captain Haddock’s delight: “It’s a veritable barbarian invasion!” he exclaims. But a power outage interrupts the recital that Castafiore had planned to perform for television viewers. What a shame! And the jewels? Still in their place for now: in the nautical room, on the sofa, under a pile of cushions… Days go by, and despite repeated requests to a marble mason—who seems hardly bothered by the problem—the staircase is still not repaired. And now the emerald has disappeared! Against a backdrop of piano notes drifting here and there, we’re nearing the end: the Thompsons laboriously continue their investigation, Tournesol is showing off his new variety of roses, the hiding place containing the magpie’s treasure is about to be discovered, and Hergé has prepared several cover designs for the album set to be released the following year. But he’s already thinking about the next adventure and has begun taking notes: he’d love to send Tintin back to South America, to the San Theodoros region, where the never-ending duel between Alcazar and Tapioca rages on. HERGÉ