Tintin Forums

During Tintin's visit to Professor Alembick, the Professor says "I see you have become interested in Sigillography too," and then offers to mail Tintin a copy of his booklet "how to become a Sigillographer." I wonder if Tintin gave his address, and if he even was interested. Also, why didn't Alembick just give him a copy right then? Was he just being absent-minded?

I think it is more that the professor mistakes Tintin's polite attention as interest, in the way that many enthusiasts might; however, Tintin obviously has an enquiring mind, and the professor might be good at enthusing others, so it is hard to say.

That he doesn't give Tintin a copy of his booklet there and then would only indicate to me that he didn't have a copy to hand to let Tintin have; as he is an academic, he may keep them at his University office, or it could be his latest work and he is awaiting its delivery from his publisher, or perhaps it so popular that he's simply run out.

In any event, it is more than likely that Tintin gave him his address, as there wouldn't be any reason not to. He's a journalist, and the professor is a good source, should he ever have to look for material on a subject such as the rules of succession in a minor Balkan state which might be undergoing a putative coup d'etat... ;-)