Rare Hergé Drawing from The Castafiore Emerald to be Auctioned in Liège
Liège, The Gulf Observer: A rare original drawing by celebrated Belgian comic artist Hergé, creator of The Adventures of Tintin, will go under the hammer on Sunday, 18 May, at the Palais des Congrès in Liège, according to an announcement by auction organiser BD Enchères on Monday.
The drawing is from Hergé’s 21st Tintin album, The Castafiore Emerald, published in 1963. Notably, Hergé consulted Father Rupert, a chaplain for travellers, while developing the story’s portrayal of the Roma community. In recognition of their discussions, the artist later gifted the artwork to the priest’s family. The piece is expected to fetch between €120,000 and €140,000 and will be exhibited ahead of the sale.
In addition to the Hergé piece, the same day will feature a special Michel Vaillant auction, showcasing approximately 50 lots. Among them is an original drawing by Jean Graton, estimated at €15,000 to €18,000, along with figurines, a racing suit, a bar stool, and limited edition prints—all aimed at fans of the legendary motor racing character.
In total, 611 comic-related lots will be presented for auction on Sunday. These include albums and original works from classic series such as Gaston Lagaffe, Blake and Mortimer, Boule and Bill, and others, featuring exclusive prints, memorabilia, and drawings.
A day earlier, on Saturday, 17 May, the private collection of sculptor Marie Leblon will also be auctioned. The collection includes many never-before-seen prototypes inspired by iconic franchises like Gaston, Spirou, Asterix, Largo Winch, Lucky Luke, and Tintin. Among the highlights is a large bronze Asterix statue, valued between €35,000 and €40,000. Marie Leblon will also be present to engage with collectors and fans in a pre-sale talk.
