Singh, Jeff :: European Art - Franco/Belgian

Quick et Flupke by Herge 1930

Artist: Herge (All)

33 Comments - 1,029 Views - 10 Likes

Click Image to View Full Size

Additional Images:

my page - better idea of actual color/tone of paper

page 1 (I do not own this)

Published

cover

Previous Item:
Xiii #8 page by William Vance

Next Item:
La Faim des Schtroumpfs by Peyo

Artwork Details

Title:	Quick et Flupke by Herge 1930
Artist:	Herge (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,029
Likes on CAF:	10 11
Comments:	33
Added to Site:	4/4/2022
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Here is an early page by the creator of Tintin, Herge. This is from 1930 and below I'll get into the series and some background information. This first part will just be me gushing about how pleased I am to add this piece to my collection. Along with the Tezuka story I bought last year, this is probably the most important piece in my collection. It is still not my grail, favorite piece or even my favorite Herge piece but still damn important to me! It is the kind of art I don't think anyone should be able to own, it should be in a museum but I figure if it is not, then why not reside here at Chez Jeff's.

It is a larger piece at 15 x 21 inches published in Le Petit Vingtieme on November 20th, 1930. This is page 2 of a 2 page gag. The additional images has a scan of the other page in this sequence. I had my choice of the two pages but decided on this one as I like seeing Herge's signature but both pages are equals. My description got too long and translation got cropped. Basically it is a joke about Quick looking at all the things he wants to ask Santa for. After going back and forth over things he is lost in thought as he comments on how big the store is as the stairs down are taking so long (he is going down the up escalator).

I love Tintin. I grew up reading Tintin, Asterix, Lucky Luke, Disney Ducks, Archie, Looney Tunes and such. Tintin has always remained a favorite. 16 years ago I was fortunate to add a nice Tintin illustration by Herge to my collection and it has hung on the wall next to my desk in every house and configuration of office space we have gone through. It is "THE" piece that if the house was on fire and I could save only one thing, it would be this. That hasn't changed and although it might not be the most valuable art in my collection, it is "my precious". You can see it in this same gallery.

I never thought I'd own another Herge, let alone a published page. Tintin pages has always been out of reach. Every year it gets a lot further. This year I decided to take the plunge. I met George, a collector in the Nederlands through 2DG which is the European equivalent of CAF. We were able to come to terms on a piece of art and after several months of sales and scraping together cash I was able to finally pay this off. With some help from my friend Olivier (now your friendly neighborhood Heritage International Art rep) this piece has arrived safely in Canada. It is a lot larger than I had envisioned which is great. I am so use to smaller pieces coming from Europe.

Quick et Flupke is a strip created by Herge in 1930 for Le Petit Vingti�me, a supplement for children in the conservative Belgian newspaper Le Vingti�me Si�cle. Similar to the color Sunday sections in North American newspapers these were separate entities with comics aimed at children. In total the series ran for just over a decade. This was at the same time Herge was creating early Tintin. At the time of this piece's creation, Herge was already well into his work in Tintin in the Congo, a most controversial book now. The story in this series are about two misbehaving brothers, their sister and an inflatable pig. Although popular and successful, the series would be overshadowed by the tremendous local and international success of Tintin. The strip and style of the art was greatly influenced by North American comics including McManus's work on Bringing Up Father which I think is obvious in this piece. There were other influences including Katzenjammer Kids and silent films staring Charlie Chaplin. While Herge tried to keep Tintin more "realistic", Quick et Flupke was more for telling gags that didn't fit with Tintin. Herge made multiple cameo appearances in the series and at one point is even the victim of being kidnapped by the two characters. Fun stuff...but there is a dark cloud hanging over all of this.

The magazine Vingti�me Si�cle was right wing and fascist and often had strong anti-semetic themes to their work. Perhaps not in the comic sections but in the content of the newspaper. During the war the publication itself was sympathetic to the Nazi's. After the war the magazine's editors and contributors, including Herge, were investigated and some charged for their involvement. Herge's participation was not deemed worthy of punishment but those ugly years darkened the rest of his career. Early Tintin were essentially Belgian propaganda in regards to the communists (Tintin and the Soviets) and Belgian's colonization of Africa (Tintin in the Congo). Tintin in the Congo is still a hard volume to find and is not included in most series that reprints Tintin due to the overly racist portrayal of blacks.

When it comes to Herge, you have to educate yourself a bit and understand the artist, his genius but also the context of his work in respect to the time and place it was created. There will always be the stigma attached to it.

Social/Sharing

About the Owner

	Jeff Singh ( 7 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	November 2004
Last Login:	September 2025
Website:	http://www.art4comics.com
Country:	CANADA
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Jeff's Classifieds Jeff's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF Read More About JeffSingh

Contact the Owner

Use can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
but, you must be logged in to use this feature.

Comments on this Artwork

You must be logged in to make comments.

Steve N. Comic/Fantasy Art
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Not enough superlatives for this one. An immortal artifact.

e 3
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Congrats, a great piece !

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

This is quite a magical piece of comic book art, but seeing how thrilled you are to own it is even better. Congrats, man, well deserved!

P. Portillo
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Congratulations Jeff, for another masterpiece in your collection. Top art.

Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Congratulations on your magnificent purchase, Jeff! I am sure it makes the loss of the art you had to sell in order to purchase this one all worthwhile!

Aaron N.
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Amazing

Miki Annamanthadoo
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Congratulations on such an important addition to your collection!

Filmore W. Bedwick
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

So Happy for you. An Exceptional Work that clearly Wows you🤙🏻

A B
Member Since 2015

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Congratulations! A piece of history!

Galac Tun
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Congrats on adding another historic piece!

Chris Wong
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Astounding addition to your collection Jeff! You can definitely start your own museum with the wonders you have acquired!

Monty B
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

WOW!!! What an incredible addition to your amazing collection!!! Congrats on landing this one, Jeff...

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Amazing that something this rare survived through history and turmoil.

Davide G.
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

One of the most fascinating (and at same time diabolical) things about collecting is that, no matter how extraordinary your collection is, you can always find something more and better ;)

Rob Pistella
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Noteworthy and very very cool addition!!

Stephen F
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Simply spectacular. Congrats

Mighty Hal
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

A piece of history, Jeff. I loved your write-up, too.

Amir E
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Bill needs to create a "Best Description" category in 2023. Your knowledge and love of helping the rest of our community become more educated about the history of OA beyond the spandex is admirable and a real service. This post is pure gold. Art is always better viewed and appreciated in context.

F M
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Even with or without context, this is a MAJOR addition for sure. Very very happy for you :)

(and I'm saying this not having ever been a fan of Hergé's art which always left me uneasy as a kid, again, even without the adult's eye and historical/political context. So I'd take Tezuka over Hergé any day but then again you own examples from both so YOU don't have to choose ;).

Comic Art Channel
Member Since 2018

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Big congrats, Jeff!

Bob Kopman
Member Since 2007

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

What a special piece. Love it! Congratulations on getting it.

Dries D
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 4/6/2022

One for the house museum! btw Hergé really knows to capture the atmosphere of the department store. I also like his ealy style and of course the typical humor of Quick et Flupke.

Chris K.
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 4/6/2022

Wait...you say this belongs in a museum? Isn't Chez Jeff one of the finest comic art museums in the world? I certainly expect to have to pay admission the next time I visit - particularly because you added this amazing piece of art to it! Incredible write-up, Jeff - thrilled that you've been able to add this piece of history to your collection.

Oystein Sorensen
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 4/6/2022

A piece of comic history. And a great one too.

Max C
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 4/6/2022

Top of Mount Everest.

This alone is worth flying to Canada to pay homage.

Big congratz, my Friend!

kent mansley
Member Since 2015

1 - Posted on 4/6/2022

Just when I think you can't top yourself, you add another grail level piece. I love your collection so much and this piece is one that should be with you. Huge congrats!

Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013

1 - Posted on 4/6/2022

Very impressive! You did right!...

Alex Johnson
Member Since 2006
Forum Moderator

1 - Posted on 4/6/2022

Tremendous.

I too have faced the dreaded 5000 character limit in the description field. When you find a great piece sharing why it is great is part of the fun!

Fabio C.
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 4/7/2022

a piece of history... Hergé is one of the titans of comic books, easily a top 3 all-time for me

brett feschuk
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 4/7/2022

lovely. what a great addition. it's in good hands...

Jerry C.
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 4/8/2022

WOW! Pas de mot!

Kin Wong
Member Since 2007

1 - Posted on 4/9/2022

Congratulations on owning a piece of comic history!

Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006

Posted on 4/17/2022

The art is simple (especially compared to his later works) and the storytelling very innocent. As for the politics, as you link the artists in your description, it is interesting to compare Herge's pre-war right-wing origins with Tezuka's post-war left-wing outlook.

All
	Monty B 9/6/2025 6:28:00 AM
	STUDIO COMICS 9/6/2025 6:24:00 AM
	Malcolm Bourne 9/6/2025 5:54:00 AM
	Gustavo Camargo 9/6/2025 5:44:00 AM
	Rene Dorenbos 9/6/2025 5:20:00 AM
View All


	Alberto VG 9/6/2025 4:48:00 AM
	sly design 9/6/2025 3:39:00 AM
	Bob Goerder 9/6/2025 3:33:00 AM
	Dennis Books 9/6/2025 3:10:00 AM
	Randy Allman 9/6/2025 2:54:00 AM