Tags
Destination Moon, Hergé, Moon, Objectif Lune, rocket, scale model, Science fiction, shop window, Shop Window Displays., Tintin, window, window shopping., windows
It‘s strange how something can become icon in a person’s mind. I have never read Hergé’s “Destination Moon“, but the image of the rocket on the cover has somehow lodged itself firmly in my brain to such an extent that I became very excited to see this shop window display as I was walking up Friar Lane, towards Nottingham Castle or, more accurately, the “Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem” public house. I suppose it is quite distinctive as far as rockets go, in the same way “The Mallard” or “Flying Scotsman” are distinctive looking steam locomotives, but, in design terms, it also helps that it is a model of a fictitious rocket and its form has not been compromised by the practicalities of space travel! Hergé’s “Destination Moon” was published in 1953, predating Nasa’s Apollo Program by 8 years and the Moon landings by 16 years.
Joe’s Store is well worth a visit [I retraced my steps back to the shop the next day]… if you’re fan of Tintin.
The Antics Roadshow blog 
I wasn’t aware of Tintin growing up, much to my dismay when I finally found out about it. I’d love this shop.
I only got into Tintin through the animated series of the early 1990s, but it was about another ten years before I realised the comics were almost frame by frame reproductions.
The proprietor of the shop has gone for a “less is more approach” to merchandising, which initially made me everything was going to be very expensive, but that wasn’t the case. I had a long chat who was looking after the shop and bought a small rocket as a souvenir 🙂
Sounds like a delightful experience. 🙂
The chap looking the shop was a true gentleman. He recommended a pub I should try and then, due to a mix up with my shopping bag, I forgot something, so he shut the shop and came looking for me! Thankfully I’d taken his advise and he found me at the bar of “The Bell Inn”! I’ve forgotten his name. His day job was baking for J. Sainsbury’s.