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Artwork Details
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DescriptionThis page comes from the second Corto Maltese story, The Secret of Tristan Bantam published around 1970 in Pif Gadget, a French comic magazine. It is collected in the tome titled Under the Sign of Capricorn and features some of my favorite art on this series by Pratt. This particular page is the 11th page in the story despite being labelled page 58.Corto Maltese is among my favorite comic characters of all time...perhaps my favorite but if not a contender. I am enamored with the work of Hugo Pratt both in his art and his stories. I had basically given up on owning a Corto Maltese page. I decided to settle for two nice Sandokan pages which can be seen elsewhere in the gallery. When it rains, it often pours and not long after buying those other two pages a great Corto example came up from an early book. Early is more desirable for me as it means more Pratt and less assistants on the art plus I find the stories better written. The visuals from this particular story are among my favorite in the series and so extremely excited to add this to my collection. I have been paying it off over a few months and brought this back from the Lake Como convention. I'll probably write a much longer description about this landmark piece for me but right now a bit jet lagged still and need some rest. The paste up word balloons are in French and it was suspected the Italian would be underneath but I was able to get a peak under a single loose word balloon and no text. See additional images. Pif is written at the bottom of the page indicating the publication. The art is on two boards of glossy paper that Pratt would have brought with him from Argentina when he returned to Europe to work on this book for the European market. There is so much for me to love about this page. Lots of Corto which is essential but two of Pratt's ethnic women drawn beautifully. The third panel i particularly like as you have Corto's side view coming in at an interesting angle, a common Pratt-ism. The fourth panel is great too with imagery that speaks strongly of the Caniff influence on Pratt's work. I am looking forward to getting this framed. I am hoping to be able to dedicate a wall in our new house to only Pratt and Caniff. Also in additional images you can see the COA issued by CONG S.A. the Hugo Pratt foundation. Some of the Corto Maltese pages in private collections might have questionable provenance but this one is clear of that. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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John Voytek 
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 5/16/2023
Unreal Jeff....A BIG congratulations on acquiring this truly historic page by one of the true masters of the medium!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 5/16/2023
Congrats on finally bringing it home! After countless years of getting yourself some really cool Corto Maltese commissions, it really has to be an unbelievable feeling of elation to finally add an original published page to your collection.
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 5/16/2023
Congratulations, Jeff! I'm frankly surprised you didn't already have an early CM page given your obvious love of the series, character, and creator, and given the depth and breadth of your collection, but glad to see that now God's in his heaven and all's right in the world.
Monty B
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
WOW!!! What a page... I can only imagine how significant this must be for you...major congrats Jeff!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
It's great to see an early page that sought to establish the look and feel right away with the different ethnicities and people encountered. Much like what a world traveler would see and take for granted.
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
Congrats Jeff on adding a page from one of the all time greats.
Davide G.
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
Congrats on having finally reached your goal, Jeff! And what a goal you've scored! 👏🏻😉
Oystein Sorensen
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
Marvellous aquisition and a confirmation of your great taste in comic art. Many congrats!
Fabio C.
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
lucky to see this in person at Como (so happy to see you again, Jeff!)... simply outstanding
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
Amazing score! Really happy for you J!
DC's Showcase
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
Amazing, Jeff!! So, you can stop collecting now? :)
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
DC's Showcase wrote:
Amazing, Jeff!! So, you can stop collecting now? :)
I NEED to stop collecting now!
Aaron N.
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
Pratt outdoes Caniff in the sense of ease and simplicity with which he achieves his effects. (Seemingly) casual framing, bold, unfussy blacks. Nothing feels showy or overworked. He almost puts me in mind of Jesse Marsh, though Pratt is easier to love somehow... maybe due to the charm of Corto's profile.
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 5/17/2023
I love visiting your gallery, Jeff. It's always being populated with unique and beautiful art...like this piece!
Aleksandar Dordevski
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 5/18/2023
It was a privilege to see this beauty in person on Saturday. Museum piece. Congratulations !
Matt Dicke
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 5/18/2023
It was so great to see this in person. Thank you for showing me. Both of the Pratt originals you got are fantastic. I had no Idea they were on the glossy slick paper.
Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 5/18/2023
Perfectly balanced page, pushing the medium to the next level!
Cave Banshee
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 8/5/2023
Beautiful page from another classic ink maestro!
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