An original production cel and hand-painted background setup from Les Aventures de Tintin, the 1959-1964 animated television adaptation produced by Belvision Studios.

While the later 1991 Nelvana series has arguably become the best-known adaptation of Herge's work, this earlier version remains the cult favourite, partly for its classic style, partly for the impact of the first interpretation of Herge's work, and partly for the nostalgic hold it has over a generation of European and international viewers.

Original production setups from this series are exceedingly scarce, and those set on the moon, arguably the most iconic setting of Tintin's literary legacy, are especially desirable. The combination of space exploration, dramatic effects animation, and a rarely seen suit design makes this a superb piece for collectors attuned to both animation history and the evolution of Tintin on screen.

This striking image features Tintin in a simplified, early space suit design, a notable variation from the later, more intricate suits familiar to fans of the Explorers on the Moon and Destination Moon comic albums and subsequent animated series in the 1990s.

This setup originates from the Destination Moon arc, produced as part of Series 2 (Episodes 12-33), which loosely adapted Objectif Lune and On a Marche sur la Lune. While the episodes followed Herge's core narrative, they introduced considerable deviations tailored to international audiences due to Belvision's efforts to pitch the series to the American market.

The cel captures Tintin mid-scene, reacting with surprise as fragments of moon rock dramatically whizz past, rendered here using dynamic brushwork applied directly to the top of the acetate cel. These layered effects are a rare surviving example of the hand-rendered visual techniques used to heighten drama and motion within these early European productions. Dimensions: 25.5 cm x 31 cm (10" x 12.25")

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