An original encre de Chine (India ink) sketch on Bristol card stock, featuring the iconic, explosive personality of Captain Archibald Haddock. The artwork measures 4” x 5” (approx. 10 x 13 cm), a standard and intimate format for Hergé's dedicated sketches, often produced for admirers or as gifts. The presence of Hergé's signature, prominently placed in the top left corner, is a significant feature that confirms the piece as an authentic, hand-executed original from the artist.
Crucially, this sketch is accompanied by a certificate from the Comité d’Authentification Des Oeuvres D’Hergé. This committee, established under the authority of Studios Hergé in 2010, is the definitive authority on the authenticity of works attributed to the artist. Comprised of leading experts and chaired by the Curator of the Hergé Museum, this body rigorously examines pieces to protect the artist's legacy against the high incidence of forgeries on the market . This accompanying documentation provides an invaluable, expert-backed provenance that significantly elevates the piece's desirability and market value , assuring the buyer of its authenticity. The combination of a classic subject, the artist's signature, and the official committee's authentication makes this a highly prized artifact for any serious collector of comic art or Hergé memorabilia.