Georges REMI, known as HERGÉ (1907-1983) THE TREASURE OF RACKHAM THE RED Original colour edition, 2nd plate A24 white, 1945, title in black Yellow spine, no ©, title in red on title page, 37,815 copies (November 1945). Hergé began work on this album in November 1943. The work was boosted by the collaboration of Jacobs, a new draughtsman that Hergé had just hired. On 16 November 1943, Hergé certified that work was progressing apace. On 23 January 1944, the drawings were not yet finished because "as with the Unicorn, we had to make a few large drawings. It takes quite a bit of time, but I think it's worth it: these large half-page drawings enrich the album". A new phylactery system was tried out for this new album, and Hergé made several sketches of it. It is clear that Jacobs's contribution, particularly to the set designs, helped Hergé considerably... However, it was not until two years later that the album was in bookshops! Because of the war and the bombings, the album took a long time to come out, and Hergé became impatient several times: "How is our friend Rackham doing?" asked Hergé on 21 March 1945. On 5 June 1945, Hergé announced the end of censorship: "from a generally well-informed source, we learn that preventive censorship will be lifted in the near future". And on 13 July, Hergé asked again: "How is Rackham the Red? I'm bombarded with phone calls and letters asking me when it will be published...". Once again, on 8 October 1945, Hergé was impatient: "And Rackham, is he going to start his career soon?" On 18 October 1945, Lesne announced that 5,000 copies would be sent to Paris and 25,000 copies to Belgium. The plan was for this album to be launched in Paris too. Exactly 37,815 copies were printed. Shipments began eight days later, on 25 October 1945. Mint condition, corners and headpieces perfect, spine superb new inside. Hergé/Tintinimaginatio 2024