The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn - Tips and Tricks for Solving the Mystery
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Serial Number - What Is It and Why Is It Important?
If you are a fan of the classic comic series The Adventures of Tintin by Belgian cartoonist Hergé, you may have heard of the serial number that appears in one of the most popular stories, The Secret of the Unicorn. This serial number is a clue that leads Tintin and his friend Captain Haddock to the hidden treasure of the pirate Red Rackham, who was defeated by Haddock's ancestor Sir Francis Haddock in the 17th century. But what is the meaning of this serial number and how did it end up in the model ships of the Unicorn?
The Adventures Of Tintin Secret Of The Unicorn Serial Number
The Origin of the Serial Number
The serial number is actually part of a riddle that Sir Francis Haddock wrote on three scrolls and hid inside the masts of three identical model ships of the Unicorn, his own vessel. He did this after escaping from Red Rackham's ship, where he had been captured and tortured by the pirate. He managed to set fire to Red Rackham's ship and sink it along with its crew and treasure, but he also lost his own ship in the process. He then returned to Europe on a rowboat with only the three model ships as proof of his adventure.
The riddle reads as follows:
Three brothers joined. Three Unicorns in company sailing in the noonday sun will speak. For 'tis from the light that light will dawn, and then shines forth the Eagle's cross.
The three brothers are the three model ships, which have to be aligned in a certain way to reveal the serial number. The serial number is composed of six digits: two letters and four numbers. The letters are hidden in the sails of each ship, while the numbers are hidden in the hulls. The letters form the initials of Sir Francis Haddock: F.H. The numbers are 1121, which is a reference to the date of Sir Francis's encounter with Red Rackham: 11 November 1676.
The Meaning of the Serial Number
The serial number is not only a clue, but also a key that opens a secret compartment in one of the model ships. Inside this compartment, there is a parchment that reveals the location of Red Rackham's treasure: an island in the West Indies. The parchment also contains a map of the island and a drawing of a rock shaped like an eagle's head. The eagle's cross is a mark on this rock that indicates where to dig for the treasure.
The serial number is also a proof of Sir Francis Haddock's identity and legitimacy as the owner of the treasure. Without it, no one would be able to claim the treasure as their rightful inheritance.
The Fate of the Serial Number
The serial number was almost lost forever when two of the model ships were stolen by criminals who were after the treasure. One of them was Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine, a model ship collector who had inherited one of the ships from his ancestor, who had bought it from Sir Francis Haddock himself. The other was Max Bird, an antique dealer who had hired Barnaby Dawes, a thief, to steal another ship from Tintin, who had bought it at a flea market.
Tintin managed to recover both ships and reunite them with the third one, which belonged to Captain Haddock, who had inherited it from his ancestor Sir Francis Haddock. Together with Professor Calculus, they solved the riddle and found the serial number. They then used it to open the secret compartment and obtain the parchment with the map.
With this information, they embarked on an expedition to find Red Rackham's treasure. They faced many dangers and obstacles along the way, but they eventually succeeded in finding the treasure and bringing it back to Europe.
Conclusion
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Serial Number is a crucial element in one of the most thrilling and captivating stories by Hergé. It is a clever and ingenious device that connects the past and present, fiction and reality, mystery and adventure. It is also a testament to Sir Francis Haddock's courage and ingenuity, as well as Tintin's curiosity and intelligence.
The Adaptations of the Serial Number
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Serial Number has been featured in various adaptations of the original comic story. Some of them are:
The 1957 animated series Hergé's Adventures of Tintin, which faithfully followed the comic plot and showed the serial number as F.H. 1121.
The 1991 animated series The Adventures of Tintin, which also followed the comic plot but changed the serial number to F.H. 1676, the year of Sir Francis Haddock's adventure.
The 1992-3 BBC Radio 5 dramatisation of the Adventures, which used the same serial number as the 1991 animated series.
The 2011 feature film The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, directed by Steven Spielberg, which combined elements from The Secret of the Unicorn, Red Rackham's Treasure and The Crab with the Golden Claws. The film changed the serial number to U.N. 714, which is a reference to Flight 714 to Sydney, another Tintin story.
The 2011 video game The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, which was based on the film and used the same serial number as the film.
The Influence of the Serial Number
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Serial Number has inspired many fans and creators over the years. Some examples are:
In 2007, a real-life treasure hunt was organised by a French publisher to celebrate the centenary of Hergé's birth. The participants had to find clues hidden in various locations related to Tintin and Hergé, and eventually discover a replica of Red Rackham's treasure chest.
In 2011, a Belgian astronomer named a newly discovered asteroid after Tintin and gave it the designation (1121) Tintin.
In 2014, a British artist named Andy Singleton created a giant paper sculpture of the Unicorn ship for an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
In 2016, a French collector paid 40,000 for an original drawing by Hergé that showed Tintin holding one of the model ships with the serial number visible.
The Legacy of the Serial Number
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Serial Number is more than just a number. It is a symbol of the enduring appeal and quality of Hergé's work. It is also a reminder of the power of imagination and storytelling, which can transform a simple model ship into a gateway to a world of adventure and mystery.
The serial number has become part of the cultural heritage and collective memory of generations of readers and fans around the world. It has also sparked curiosity and interest in topics such as history, geography, art, science and more. It has also encouraged creativity and innovation in various fields and disciplines.
The serial number is not only a key to the treasure, but also a key to the heart and mind of Hergé, who poured his passion and talent into his creation. It is also a key to the spirit and essence of Tintin, who represents the values and ideals of friendship, courage, justice and freedom.
Conclusion
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Serial Number is a crucial element in one of the most thrilling and captivating stories by Hergé. It is a clever and ingenious device that connects the past and present, fiction and reality, mystery and adventure. It is also a testament to Sir Francis Haddock's courage and ingenuity, as well as Tintin's curiosity and intelligence.
The serial number has been featured in various adaptations of the original comic story, which have introduced it to new audiences and generations. It has also inspired many fans and creators over the years, who have paid tribute to it in different ways. It has also left a lasting legacy in the cultural and social spheres, as well as in the personal lives of many people.
The serial number is more than just a number. It is a legend.
The Tips for Finding the Serial Number
If you want to find the serial number for yourself and experience the thrill of solving the riddle, you can follow these tips:
Read the comic book The Secret of the Unicorn carefully and pay attention to the details and clues that Hergé provides.
Look for the model ships of the Unicorn in museums, antique shops, flea markets or online auctions. You may be lucky and find one of the original ones or a replica.
Examine the model ship closely and look for the letters and numbers hidden in the sails and hulls. You may need a magnifying glass or a flashlight to see them better.
Align the three model ships in the correct order and direction to reveal the serial number. You may need to experiment with different combinations and angles.
Use the serial number to open the secret compartment in one of the model ships and find the parchment with the map. You may need a small tool or a pin to open it.
The Fun Facts about the Serial Number
The serial number is not only a clue, but also a source of fun and interesting facts. Some of them are:
The serial number is one of the few elements in The Adventures of Tintin that has been changed in different editions and translations. For example, in some Spanish editions, it is U.N. 1676 instead of F.H. 1121.
The serial number is also one of the few elements that has been referenced or parodied in other works of fiction. For example, in The Simpsons episode \"Homer's Barbershop Quartet\", Homer's band The Be Sharps has a Grammy award with the serial number F.H. 1121.
The serial number is also one of the few elements that has been used as a password or a code name in real life. For example, in 2011, a group of hackers called LulzSec used F.H. 1121 as their password for their Twitter account.
The serial number is also one of the few elements that has been linked to conspiracy theories or mysteries in real life. For example, some people have claimed that F.H. 1121 is a secret message from Hergé to his fans, revealing his true identity or his involvement in a secret society.
Conclusion
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Serial Number is a crucial element in one of the most thrilling and captivating stories by Hergé. It is a clever and ingenious device that connects the past and present, fiction and reality, mystery and adventure. It is also a testament to Sir Francis Haddock's courage and ingenuity, as well as Tintin's curiosity and intelligence.
The serial number has been featured in various adaptations of the original comic story, which have introduced it to new audiences and generations. It has also inspired many fans and creators over the years, who have paid tribute to it in different ways. It has also left a lasting legacy in the cultural and social spheres, as well as in the personal lives of many people.
The serial number is more than just a number. It is a legend. And if you want to be part of it, you can follow our tips and try to find it for yourself. You may discover a treasure beyond your imagination. ca3e7ad8fd