An original and complete issue of the Journal de Tintin, N° 516, French Dargaud edition, dated 11 September 1958. A richly documented issue, distinguished by a serialized Blake and Mortimer episode, a primary period feature on the USS Nautilus transpolar voyage, and a concluding episode of a 19th century historical adventure strip. It also carries a Jean-Michel Charlier prose adventure and a Tibet Chick Bill episode, alongside a charming humorous cover by Mik Murdock.
The Cover
The cover is by Mik Murdock, a warm, nostalgic rural summer scene. A vintage circa-1910 red open-top automobile careens along a country road, smoke billowing from the engine, chickens scattering, three passengers clinging on. The banner announces "PRUDENCE PETITPAS FAIT DU CAMPING". It is a cover of deliberate humorous charm, a counterpoint to the dramatic space cover of the previous week's N°515, and a characteristic example of the Journal de Tintin's tonal range.
Blake and Mortimer
The back cover carries the continuing serialization of "S.O.S. Météores!" by E.P. Jacobs. It is a tense Paris street surveillance episode: Blake and Mortimer tailing a suspect through rain-slicked streets, a blue French saloon involved in the chase, a running confrontation, and a dramatic "PAN PAN" shooting finale. It is rendered in Jacobs's characteristic combination of precise draftsmanship, cinematic tension, and full color of great richness.
L'Exploit du Nautilus
The interior's most historically significant content is the major editorial feature "L'Exploit du 'Nautilus': 3,392 km en plongée en passant sous le Pôle Nord". It is a detailed, photograph-illustrated account of the USS Nautilus's historic transpolar voyage, published just five weeks after the event on 3 August 1958. The world's first nuclear-powered submarine had completed the first submerged crossing of the Arctic Ocean, 3,392 km under the polar ice cap from the Pacific to the Atlantic. It was one of the most celebrated naval achievements of the Cold War era.
The feature includes photographs of the Nautilus and of President Eisenhower congratulating the crew at the White House, alongside a detailed account of the voyage. A connection to Jules Verne's 20,000 Lieues sous les Mers gives the achievement its full cultural resonance. Published within weeks of the event, this is a primary period document of extraordinary historical interest.
Inside the Issue
The interior also carries the concluding episode of a 19th century historical adventure strip, a full double-page color sequence set in 1870s France or Italy. It features period costumes, crowd scenes, a bullfight, a telegraph office, and a dramatic railway station finale ending with "FIN". A chapter of "Tempête à l'Ouest" appears, a prose adventure novel by Jean-Michel Charlier, creator of Buck Danny, Blueberry, and Barbe-Rouge, illustrated by de Grée.
A Tibet episode of "Chick Bill — La Tête au Mur!" shows Chick Bill in jail and a sheriff chase. A Willy Vandersteen "Son Altesse Riri" strip also appears. A remarkable Autos Quiralu advertisement lists the Messerschmitt KR 200, Vespa 400, Jaguar, Porsche, Peugeot 403, Isetta, and Mercedes, a vivid snapshot of the French and Belgian toy car market of 1958.
Condition
Fair to good for age, a well-read copy with honest wear. The interior is complete and intact, age-toned newsprint throughout, with color pages strong and clear and the Jacobs back cover vivid and well-preserved. The cover shows the primary condition issues: a large diagonal crease running from the upper left across the cover field, a vertical center fold consistent with the magazine having been folded in half, and corner wear at all four corners. Cover colors remain vivid and unfaded. These condition issues are clearly shown in the photographs and fully reflected in the price.
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° 516 (French Dargaud edition)
Date: 11 September 1958
Language: French
Dimensions: 21 × 30 cm / 8 × 12 in
Cover: Mik Murdock — humorous vintage automobile rural scene; "Prudence Petitpas fait du Camping" announced; vivid colors; diagonal crease and center fold
Key content: E.P. Jacobs "S.O.S. Météores!" (Blake & Mortimer), Paris street surveillance and shooting sequence, full color; "L'Exploit du Nautilus" USS Nautilus transpolar voyage feature with photographs, published five weeks after the event; 19th century historical adventure strip, concluding episode, full color double page; Jean-Michel Charlier "Tempête à l'Ouest — Le piège se referme", prose adventure; Tibet "Chick Bill — La Tête au Mur!" Western comedy strip; Willy Vandersteen "Son Altesse Riri" strip; Autos Quiralu advertisement
Condition: Fair to good — interior complete and intact; cover with diagonal crease, center fold, corner wear; colors vivid
Collectibility: Jacobs/Blake & Mortimer serialization; USS Nautilus Cold War naval history cross-collectible; Jean-Michel Charlier prose; Tibet Chick Bill; Autos Quiralu automotive cross-collectible
Why It's Special
This issue pairs a Jacobs Blake and Mortimer serial with a primary period document of the USS Nautilus's transpolar voyage, published within weeks of the event. It appeals to collectors of European comics, naval history, and Cold War memorabilia alike. The toy car advertisement adds a further layer for automotive and toy collectors.
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.
