On the Champs-Élysées, in the rooms on the second floor of the Artcurial house, it sits majestically in a large window.
In this drawing from 1936, Indian ink, gouache and watercolor, an immense dragon, red on a black background, seems to paralyze Tintin.
From a distance, it catches the eye and few curious people resist the urge to keep track of it in their cellphones.
The piece, an original, is beautiful, unique, and therefore expensive, very expensive.
Offered for auction on Thursday, January 14, exhibited since Monday, this cover project for the album "Le Lotus Bleu" is estimated between 2 and 3 million euros.
Something to make the small world of comics dizzy.
As often with Hergé, especially since the price of the Belgian designer has soared, this sale has already caused much ink to flow.
Not only because of the sums involved. Its origin, above all, has been the subject of debate.
According to the sales expert, Eric Leroy, it is a gift offered by the designer to the young Jean-Paul Casterman, son of Louis, then printer of Tintin.
A version in which none of the specialists of the work believe, and in particular not Philippe Godin, considered as the finest connoisseur.
“It's a fable.
In my opinion, more simply, it is a drawing that has never been returned to the author and which has remained in Casterman's cupboards for years.
Letters prove it ”.
"The prices ?
I didn't even watch ”
Not enough to spoil the pleasure of the amateurs who, from Monday, had made the trip to discover the hundred lots of the sale dedicated to Tintin, but also boards from other big names in comics.
“I came a bit out of nostalgia and for the love of Tintin.
I've been reading it since I was 7.
It's been 73 years!
In any case, it is very beautiful.
The prices ?
I didn't even watch, ”laughs Rémi, 80, a local resident.
Another simple curious, although with a more "professional" look: Guillaume, a 32-year-old Parisian illustrator.
“It's great to be able to admire originals.
The Tintins, they were in the library of parents, grandparents… It recalls childhood.
The cover of the
Blue Lotus
is really impressive, very beautiful.
It is much deeper than an impression which often does not do justice to the drawing.
"
Collectors, obviously, are also at the rendezvous.
“For about fifteen years, I have been interested in figurines,” says Jean-Luc, 66, who came from Dourdan (Essonne) on purpose.
There are a few in the sale that I wanted to see.
I'll probably try my luck.
But the originals, like the cover, are not for my purse!
Moreover, at this price, it is no longer for comic book fans but for a few speculators ”, he regrets a little.
However, most visitors do not cry scandal about the estimate.
“Hergé is one of the contemporary artists who count,” recalls Jean-Luc.
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We will have to wait until Thursday afternoon to find out if Hergé breaks the record for the most expensive comic book work in history, held by… himself with a board at 2.6 million euros.
However, he will remain far from a Basquiat, for example, an American painter, whose painting was sold for more than 90 million euros ...
Exhibition on Tuesday January 12 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Wednesday January 13 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at Artcurial, 7, rond-point des Champs-Elysées (Paris, VIIIe).
Sale on Thursday January 14 at 2:30 p.m.