Hergé (Georges Rémi) Le Petit Vingtième, Tintin, Honneur Au Jubilaire #49 Cover Original Art (Le Petit Vingtième, ...

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Hergé (Georges Rémi) Le Petit Vingtième, Tintin, Honneur Au Jubilaire #49 Cover Original Art (Le Petit Vingtième, 12-15-1938). This cover, created by Hergé for the 10th anniversary of Le Petit Vingtième, is an exceptionally rare and remarkable piece in every respect. Unlike the magazine's other covers, this one highlights Hergé's mastery of lettering, typography, and composition.
It is the only Petit Vingtième cover where the title is seamlessly integrated into the artwork, entirely drawn by Hergé's own hand -- making it a true masterpiece. Beneath a banner proclaiming "Honneur au jubilaire", Hergé brings together his most iconic characters of the time in full figure: Tintin, Snowy, Quick and Flupke, Officer 15, Jo, Zette, and their pet monkey, Jocko.
Adding to its uniqueness, Hergé includes a rare self-caricature -- one of only nine known instances where he depicted himself in his own work -- holding a placard bearing his signature.
Several collaborators of Le Petit Vingtième also appear in this illustration. To Tintin's left, a soldier holding a sign with the initials JIV references Jean Vermeire (JiVé), an illustrator and Hergé's principal assistant, responsible for the magazine's editorial drawings. He is depicted in uniform, as he was serving in the military at the time.
To Hergé's left, a man holding a sign reading Les joues en feu, represents René Micha, the founder of a literary review column of the same name. Another character, Uncle Jo, playfully embodies the archetype of a devoted comic book enthusiast. Hergé also pays tribute to Paul Jamin, who played a pivotal role in the creation of Quick et Flupke. The uniformed staff members proudly wear sashes adorned with Hergé's initials, while the PV insignia on their collars stands for Petit Vingtième, further emphasizing the celebratory nature of this historic cover.
What makes this original artwork even more extraordinary is its reverse side, which features a preliminary sketch for a cover illustration celebrating the fifth anniversary of Le Journal Tintin Belge -- September 26, 1951. This fascinating glimpse into Hergé's creative process reveals the raw energy and inspiration that fueled his artistic vision -- a moment suspended between dream and reality.
With both its front and back linking the two major editorial ventures of Hergé's career -- Le Petit Vingtième and the Tintin magazine -- this original piece stands as a singular and irreplaceable artifact in his body of work. A true treasure!
Ink over graphite on toned Bristol board. Image area of 7" x 10". On the reverse side of the board, there is a graphite preliminary cover sketch. Whiteout art corrections and minor handling/corner wear. In Very Good condition.

Certificate Of Authentication of Hergé's Works - Reference 1997/33


More Information: An additional detail that makes this piece 100% crafted by the master himself: the handwritten color notations in the upper right corner, guiding the printing process, are also by Hergé's own hand. This celebrated work stands as an iconic treasure of Hergé’s legacy and a cornerstone of the Golden Age of Franco-Belgian comics.


More information about Hergé. See also: Remy, Georges, Georges Remy, George Prosper Remi, Remi, George Prosper Artist. Lookup the Comic Book in our Guide