The 1968 adventure of the intrepid reporter, "Vol 714 pour Sydney (Flight 714 to Sydney)" had been estimated to reach 7,000-9,000 euros.
BRUSSELS: A volume of adventures by cartoon hero Tintin dedicated by his Belgian creator to the late King Leopold III of the Belgians was sold for 9,600 euros (12,200 dollars) at an auction on Saturday, Brussels' Galerie Moderne said.
The 1968 adventure of the intrepid reporter, "Vol 714 pour Sydney (Flight 714 to Sydney)" had been estimated to reach 7,000-9,000 euros.
It was one of a limited edition of 250, but the great attraction for collectors was the signed dedication by Herge to Leopold and his second wife Princess Lilian, Belga news agency reported.
The Galerie Moderne said that an album made so prestigious by a dedication had not been put up for sale for 20 years.
The creation of the cartoonist Herge (real name Georges Remi), Tintin is today one of the most widely recognised and best-loved comic characters along with a supporting cast led by his faithful dog Snowy.
The reporter -- who is only actually seen filing a story once in his travels -- first appeared in print on January 10, 1929, in a comic supplement to the Brussels newspaper Le Vingtieme Siecle.
That adventure, "Tintin in the Land of the Soviets", was followed by 23 other albums, including one left unfinished on Herge's death in 1983. The books have been translated into more than 60 languages and sold over 200 million copies worldwide.
More than 300 cartoon book lots were up for grabs in the auction and the book for Leopold, father of reigning Belgian King Albert II, was by no means the top sale.
An original Herge illustration for the cover of the 1951 Tintin annual was sold for 32,400 euros, also higher than its estimate.
A little ink sketch of Tintin's surly companion Captain Haddock brought in 3,120 euros, Belga reported.
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