The Blue Jeep – Model Car – 29904 – La Jeep Bleue – 1/24 Scale – First Edition – 2019

Author: Hergé & Editions Moulinsart
Price: £245.00
Manufacturer: Editions Moulinsart
Format: Original pictorial wrappers with car on plinth in perspex case
Condition: New. In excellent condition. Model car and book are both unopened
Edition: First Edition
Date: 2019

Description:

The scarce first edition of this model, dated 2019, which sold out very quickly. Size: 20.5cm x 7cm x 7cm. From ‘Destination Moon’. Material: Painted metal with resin and plastic. Comes in a perspex case in an outer box with accompanying brochure in French and English. Brand new. Mint condition. UPC: 29904

Tintin And The Blue Jeep: A Brief Account

Introduction

In Destination Moon (1953), the first part of Hergé’s celebrated lunar duology, the blue Jeep plays a modest yet symbolically and visually memorable role. Though not central to the plot, it reflects the book’s broader commitment to technical realism and contemporary aerospace culture. Within an album defined by advanced rocketry, radar systems and experimental science, the remarkably grounded presence of a Jeep underscores the everyday practicalities of pioneering research.

Context: A World on the Threshold of Space

Destination Moon marks a turning point in the Tintin series, pivoting from classic adventure and detective motifs to meticulous hard-science fiction. Hergé and his studio researched aerospace engineering, physics and military technology to an unprecedented degree. Against this carefully constructed scientific backdrop, terrestrial transport vehicles — such as the Jeep — serve as pragmatic tools, grounding the extraordinary within the familiar.

The Jeep’s inclusion mirrors real post-war European scientific installations, many of which acquired surplus American military vehicles, valued for durability and off-road capability.

The Jeep in the Narrative

The blue Jeep appears at the Sprodj Atomic Research Centre in Syldavia, where Professor Calculus is preparing the experimental moon rocket. Tintin, Captain Haddock and the research staff use the vehicle for:

• Rapid movement across the vast fenced compound
• Inspecting launch-site infrastructure
• Moving between laboratory, living quarters and testing facilities

Its presence emphasises the scale of the research base and the logistical complexity of rocket development. Vehicles such as this help convey an aura of military-scientific discipline and controlled secrecy.

Technical and Visual Accuracy

Hergé’s rendering of the Jeep reflects his growing fascination with technical precision. Key visual features include:

• Distinctive box-shaped bonnet
• Flat windscreen
• Spare wheel at the rear
• Rugged tyres designed for mixed terrain
• Open bodywork, emphasising functional design

Although simplified for the ligne claire style, the illustration remains faithful to real post-war Jeep models. The colour choice — a clean, bright blue — fits Hergé’s compositional preferences, contrasts with the industrial grey tones of the base, and contributes to the visual clarity of scenes involving machinery and laboratory structures.

Symbolism and Thematic Function

Scientific Pragmatism

The Jeep embodies practicality. It is a reminder that great leaps in science rely on humble daily activity — transport, testing, logistics and teamwork.

Cold-War Aesthetics

A Jeep in a fenced research compound evokes mid-century defence and aerospace environments, aligning the album with contemporary imagery of military-supported scientific endeavour.

Contrast Between Earth and Space

By including an everyday vehicle, Hergé sharpens the contrast between the familiar world of wheels and engines and the unprecedented ambition of space travel. The Jeep functions as an anchor before the narrative literally departs Earth.

Artistic and Narrative Significance

The Jeep contributes to the unique tone of Destination Moon:

• Authenticity — representing real equipment found at advanced research sites.
• Spatial scale — bolstering the sense that the base is expansive and secure.
• Pacing — enabling fast movement between plot locations within the facility.
• Aesthetic balance — juxtaposing clean technical drawings with natural movement.

The vehicle’s presence, although brief, plays into the album’s overarching themes of ingenuity, preparation and the material culture of scientific progress.

Legacy and Appreciation

Among Tintin readers with an interest in technical vehicles, the blue Jeep has gained recognition as part of the detailed technological ecosystem of the Moon adventures. It is celebrated not for dramatic scenes or action, but for its authenticity and contribution to world-building.

In a story defined by visionary aerospace engineering and profound ambition, the Jeep symbolises reliable human effort — the sturdy, unglamorous machinery that supports extraordinary endeavour.

Why Buy from Us?

At Hornseys, we are committed to offering items that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our collection of objects and rare books are carefully curated to ensure each edition is a valuable piece of bibliographical history. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Each item is meticulously researched and verified for authenticity and collation.
• Expert Curation: Our selection process focuses on significance, condition, and rarity, resulting in a collection that is both diverse and distinguished.
• Customer Satisfaction: We aim to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
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Cataloguer: Daniel Hornsey

Daniel Hornsey has specialised in fine and rare books, ephemera, and collectors’ editions for over thirty years. As a long-standing member of the antiquarian book trade, he has advised private collectors, curated catalogues, and sourced works for leading dealers, libraries and institutions across the world.

His fascination with Hergé’s work — especially ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ — began in childhood. Daniel recalls reading Tintin in original European editions and quickly recognising that these were not merely children’s books, but finely illustrated narratives crafted with artistic depth and wit.

As noted by the Musée Hergé in Louvain-la-Neuve, Hergé’s ‘ligne claire’ style has influenced generations of European comic artists and his original drawings and paintings command very high prices with his painting of ‘The Blue Lotus’ jar fetching £2.8m at auction in 2021.

By presenting these works through Hornseys’, he hopes to contribute to the continued appreciation of one of the 20th century’s most influential illustrators, helping new generations discover the artistry and legacy of Hergé.

Hornseys’ exhibit regularly at book and map fairs in London and throughout the UK and as long-established specialists in fine books, maps, prints and ephemera, Hornseys maintains full professional membership of the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA). The PBFA is one of the most respected trade bodies in the rare and antiquarian book world, with strict standards of expertise, authenticity and ethical trading. Our verified member listing can be viewed here: Hornseys – PBFA Member Profile.