Tintin Forums

Hi,
I worked for Ottakars Bookshops once upon a time and in 2001 the shop was given an award by management, which I am looking to sell so need to find out a valuation. The award consists of a 29cm red and white resin rocket (from Explorers on the Moon) which is mounted on a wooden (possible mahogany) mount with a brass plaque attached. It comes with a numbered certificated of authentication and is in a circular box with a tin lid. Can anyone advise me who I should speak to about this and how much it could be worth please?

Hi, Mich,
Sorry that this has taken a bit of time, but (as you will discover) I'm no expert and the field is wide...

There appear to have been several manufacturers, many different editions (limited and otherwise) and such subtle variation in what seems to be valuable and what isn't, that it's not an easy thing to put a value on; given that this is one with a very specific purpose in addition to the rocket itself, I'd be hard pressed to give you anything like a meaningful valuation.

It certainly sounds nice, and were it not for my self-imposed "war against collecting additional things that I'd only have to dust", I'd no doubt be hankering after it myself; however it would be difficult to know if there is a specific interest in one manufacturer over another, or one edition and the next.

The rocket is iconic, and appears to attract interest from people who aren't even Tintin fans (such people exist, apparently...), so it will definitely have a market.

It might be worth making enquiries of the auction houses which sell comic-related items (if you do a forum search you'll find references to sales which have taken place), to see if they have any ideas - they will like as not be far better informed than most.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

Thanks very much for the reply Jock. I shall certainly try that and will let you know. :o)