An original and complete issue of the Journal de Tintin, N° 514, French Dargaud edition, dated 28 August 1958. A particularly strong issue for collectors of both the Michel Vaillant and Blake and Mortimer series. It carries a humorous Tibet cover and a remarkable science feature on French nuclear and astronomical achievements.
The Cover
The cover is by Tibet, creator of Chick Bill and Ric Hochet and one of the most beloved humor artists of the Belgian comics tradition. It shows a comic bedroom scene whose punchline delivers the kind of warm, absurdist humor that made Tibet's work so enduringly popular. The colors remain vivid, with light edge wear consistent with age.
Blake and Mortimer
The back cover carries the continuing serialization of "S.O.S. Météores!" by E.P. Jacobs. Blake and Mortimer navigate a tense urban investigation in Jacobs's characteristic combination of precise draftsmanship and cinematic tension, in full color throughout.
Le Grand Défi
The interior's headline story is "Le Grand Défi" by Jean Graton, a full-color Michel Vaillant episode of exceptional visual energy. Racing scenes show Formula cars thundering through the pits, alongside a dramatic race sequence and a pivotal scene in a design studio where a sleek blue concept car is unveiled. It is one of the most celebrated stories in the Michel Vaillant canon, depicting the Franco-American racing rivalry that defined the series. For Michel Vaillant collectors, a serialized episode of "Le Grand Défi" in its original publication context is a primary collecting target.
Inside the Issue
The interior also carries a Tibet-drawn episode of "Chick Bill — La Tête au Mur!" and a "Hello?... Hollywood!" feature. A science double-page on "Deux grandes réalisations françaises" covers the Marcoule G-2 nuclear reactor and the Saint-Michel-de-Provence telescope. It is a vivid period document of French scientific ambition at the height of the postwar reconstruction. A preview announcement for the upcoming Dan Cooper "Cap sur Mars" story appears, and advertising includes Scotch scale models, Vitelloise, and the Chèques Tintin loyalty program.
Condition
The magazine is complete and intact, with all pages present and the binding sound. The cover colors are vivid and the color pages are strong throughout, with light edge wear and normal interior age-toning. Please review the photos carefully, as they form part of the description.
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° 514 (French Dargaud edition)
Date: 28 August 1958
Language: French
Dimensions: 21 × 30 cm / 8.3 × 11.8 in
Cover: Tibet — humorous bedroom/burglars scene; vivid colors; light edge wear
Key content: E.P. Jacobs "S.O.S. Météores!" (Blake & Mortimer), full color; Jean Graton "Le Grand Défi" (Michel Vaillant), full color, Formula racing and concept car reveal; Tibet "Chick Bill — La Tête au Mur!", Western comedy strip; Willy Vandersteen "Les Aventures de Son Altesse Riri"; science feature on the Marcoule G-2 reactor and Saint-Michel-de-Provence telescope; Dan Cooper "Cap sur Mars" preview; Scotch, Vitelloise, Chèques Tintin advertisements
Condition: Good for age — complete and intact; cover colors vivid; light edge wear; interior age-toned; color pages strong
Collectibility: Michel Vaillant "Le Grand Défi" serialization; Jacobs/Blake & Mortimer; Tibet cover; French nuclear and astronomy science document
Why It's Special
This issue brings together three major collecting threads in one document: a Tibet cover, a Graton Michel Vaillant serial, and a Jacobs Blake and Mortimer episode. The science feature adds a fourth layer for collectors of French period documents. Issues combining this much headline content rarely surface in this condition.
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.
