An original and complete issue of the Journal de Tintin, N° 496, French Dargaud edition, dated 24 April 1958. It is a vivid and content-rich issue from the heart of the 1958 spring serialization run, featuring a charming Chick Bill cover by Tibet, a continuing episode of E.P. Jacobs' "S.O.S. Météores!", and a full roster of the magazine's most celebrated strips.
The Cover
The cover is by Tibet, creator of Chick Bill, a warm domestic Western scene. Chick Bill, in his red shirt and sheriff's star, carries a wooden barrel and exchanges pleasantries with a red-haired neighbor woman on her doorstep: "Bonjour voisine!... Heu... ce serait pour vous emprunter quelques morceaux de sucre...".
The scene is rendered with Tibet's characteristic warmth and humor, a rare moment of small-town domesticity in the Chick Bill universe, far from the action sequences and all the more charming for it. Colors are vivid and well-preserved.
S.O.S. Météores
The back cover carries a continuing episode of "S.O.S. Météores! par E.P. Jacobs", one of the most celebrated Blake and Mortimer stories, here in its original weekly serialization context. Mortimer and Professor Labrousse investigate the meteorological catastrophes threatening Europe. For collectors assembling the complete "S.O.S. Météores!" run, N°496 is an essential episode in the sequence.
Inside the Issue
The interior is a complete showcase of the Journal de Tintin's 1958 editorial strength. A full double-page "Marconi" by Dino Attanasio presents the biographical adventure strip on the life of the radio pioneer, rendered in Attanasio's precise and elegant ligne claire style. A full page of "Modeste et Pompon" by Franquin delivers the domestic comedy strip by the creator of Gaston Lagaffe, in its characteristic red-and-yellow border.
A full page of "Jari et le Champion" by Raymond Reding presents the sports adventure strip, here in a boxing or athletics context with a young Asian protagonist. The "Chick Bill — La Maison du Plus Fort" by Tibet and Greg, a double-page Western adventure, completes the interior.
Condition
Good vintage condition for a 1958 issue of more than 65 years old. Cover colors are vivid and well-preserved, with light handling wear and age-consistent paper toning. The interior is complete and intact, with color pages bright throughout. Please refer to the photographs for a precise assessment.
Key Details
Type: Original vintage comics magazine — complete issue
Publication: Journal de Tintin — Le Journal des Jeunes de 7 à 77 ans
Publisher: G. Dargaud, Paris (French edition) / Éditions du Lombard, Brussels
Issue: N° 496 (French Dargaud edition) — 10th year
Date: 24 April 1958
Language: French
Dimensions: 21 × 30 cm / 8 × 12 in
Cover: Tibet — Chick Bill domestic scene; vivid colors; good condition
Key content: E.P. Jacobs "S.O.S. Météores!", continuing episode, back cover; Dino Attanasio "Marconi", double-page biographical adventure strip; Franquin "Modeste et Pompon", full page, red/yellow border; Raymond Reding "Jari et le Champion", full page sports adventure; Tibet & Greg "Chick Bill — La Maison du Plus Fort", double-page Western, full color
Condition: Good — cover vivid; light age wear; interior complete and intact
Collectibility: Jacobs/Blake & Mortimer serialization; Attanasio Marconi biography; Franquin Modeste et Pompon; Reding sports adventure; Tibet/Greg Chick Bill
Why It's Special
This issue gathers the Journal de Tintin's 1958 editorial strength in a single document, headed by a rare domestic Chick Bill cover by Tibet. The continuing "S.O.S. Météores!" episode makes it an essential piece of the serialization sequence, and the Attanasio Marconi strip and Franquin page add cross-collectible appeal for collectors of European comics history.
One Royal Art
At One Royal Art, we curate distinctive vintage pieces with care. This original Journal de Tintin is ready to join a collection or a home that loves character. Thank you for visiting our store.
