Rare Books &c. at Auction This Week

Just a handful of sales to watch this week, all on Thursday, January 14.

Artcurial will hold a joint sale on Thursday: L'Univers du Créateur de Tintin (Lots 1–107) and Bandes Dessinées (Lots 120–254). An original ink, watercolor, and gouache Hergé illustration intended to be used for the cover of Le Lotus Bleu (1936) is expected to sell for €2.2–2.8 million. A pencil draft of page 54 from Les Bijoux de la Castafiore (1963) with a different bottom panel from the published version is estimated at €110,000–130,000. A bronze statue of Tintin and Milou by Nat Neujean could sell for €55,000–65,000.

In the latter section of the sale, the artwork for the final page of the Asterix album Les Lauriers de César (1972), inscribed by Albert Uderzo, is estimated at €150,000–200,000.

At PBA Galleries on Thursday afternoon, a sale of Art & Illustration – Literature – Americana – Maps – Books in All Fields, in 443 lots. Nearly all are being sold without reserve, and as evident from the title, this sale will include a very wide range of materials from all areas, including some interesting Japanese printing, various posters and prints, and a number of photographic lots. The Limited Editions Club collector may be able to snag a bargain or two as well (Lots 119–183).