Georges REMI, known as HERGÉ (1907-1983) THE CRAB WITH THE GOLDEN CLAWS 2nd plate A18, 1942, Casterman, Large image Pellior red spine, 4 coloured hors-texte, 30th mile. Dark blue endpapers. Pagination 4-103. Print run 6,700 copies. Published in bookshops on Monday 5 October 1942. Printing of the inner sections of The Crab with the Golden Claws began on 28 March 1942 and this was the largest print run of the eight large A18 images, probably to satisfy demand for this title, which had been published in 1941 as a small image. As far as the cover was concerned, in March 1942 Hergé considered using the third hors texte (known as "the souk"), but the mock-up he produced showed that the title in red was not very legible. In the end, Hergé took the drawing from the small picture edition and produced it in full format. Hergé wrote to Charles Lesne on 18 July 1942 to give his opinion on the photogravure proofs of the large images. He was satisfied with the Crab with its white title: "At first sight, we were somewhat disappointed to see that all the titles were in black (except 'Crab' in white)". On 28 July, the covers were printed in quadruplicate, so that the albums could be bound for the start of the new school year. Note that the large-print edition of The Crab with the Golden Claws has a slightly different cover from subsequent editions. The front right leg of Haddock's camel has a black spot that will later be removed. It should also be noted that, as with the Cigar, some of the first plates have very intense colours, the sand being almost orange! This album is in mint condition, the sections are brand new and white, with no foxing or tears, and have never been read. The boards and spine are immaculate. The first cover is characterised by very intense colours. Hergé/Tintinimaginatio 2024