Tintinologists are in for a real treat, in the form of a forthcoming book!
Dominique Maricq, the chief archivist at Studios Hergé, and noted writer and author of several books about Tintin and Hergé (for example
Tintin Chez les Belges, and (a personal favourite)
Hergé Côté Jardin: Un dessinateur à la campagne) has put together a new collection which seeks to give an overview of the development of Hergé's life and work, and the influences that bore upon his choices.
While at first this may appear to be covering ground well trodden in the past, this new work takes a novel approach, by including around 20 beautifully reproduced facsimile documents to illustrate the story.
A postcard, sketch-book, layout page, even a reproduction of the famous bookshop poster showing Tintin carrying (and dropping) a pile of albums - these and more will be included in what looks to be a very special addition to the Tintinologist's book-shelf.
And perhaps best of all?
The book will be coming out in French
and English versions!
No long wait, no delays,
Carlton Books Ltd. will be producing the English-language version, which has been translated by Stuart Tett, who is himself the brains behind the
Young Reader editions of the Tintin books.
I understand that there will be some form of promotion taking place at The Tintin Shop in Covent Garden (London), with the author and translator in attendance - more details as and when they become available.
Update: Dominique Maricq has put up some photos of the facsimile items on Facebook, and they have been shared to our page
here. Check them out!