Figurines, cartoons, cars, comic books… Loupianais has everything from his favorite comic book character. To such an extent that today there is a rare and very sentimental collection.
Through the pages of her favorite Tintin albums, Lillian Falcone had seen herself commanding Professor Tournisol's shark-shaped submarine, in the Red Rackham Treasure. Or maybe you're piloting a moon rocket in Objectif Lune. Or why not the former fisherman of Set sailing at the helm of an impressive licorn ship…
“An immortal character, passed down from generation to generation.”
Loupianais lives the adventures of his favorite character by collecting everything related to him for almost thirty years. “These are childhood memories,” says the 55-year-old enthusiast. “Tintin is an immortal character, passed down from generation to generation.”
A miniature of Captain Haddock in “Red Rackham's Treasure”.
For him, it all started with the plastic figurines distributed by Esso, for the first animated film “Tintin and Shark Lake” (1972). “Before that, there was The Mystery of the Golden Fleece (1961) and The Blue Orange (1964),” explains specialist Lillian. And from there his unchanging passion will begin: cars, figurines, watches, cake boxes, cards, advertising posters… “I shop a lot, and I love to shop. I also frequent Tintin stores. I am always looking for the little thing that will suit me. It makes you “Want to buy. I'm falling in love.”
Comic book characters immortalized in statues
He has several versions of the comics. Lillian, who readily admits to having a stubborn “Captain Haddock-like” personality, set herself the goal of searching for first editions from the 1950s, or even 1940s. “The further you go back in time, the harder it is to find him,” he says, before showing off the piece that is most valuable to him: Tintin’s diary from 1996, with the first page of Le Petit Vingtième dated 1933 on the cover. “It is offered only to its clients.” By Hergé sales representatives in Belgium. This car was handed over to a Belgian mechanic, who gave it to me.”
Larger-than-life sculptures, referencing Hergé's albums.
In her windows, and on the mezzanine of her home, Lillian proudly displays the Atlas cars from the world of Tintin and the characters that every comic book fan will recognize. Their expressions are surprisingly realistic and take you back to childhood. Everything is numbered, sometimes in very limited series, such as the Pixie figurines, “collector-owned only”.
In search of a unicorn…
The Yeti from Tintin in Tibet, Professor Tournisol's shark submarine, a statuette version of Broken Ear… All (or almost) all the characters in the comics remember the young reporter's wanderings, from the sands of the Sahara to the glaciers of the Himalayas via the jungles of the Amazon And the highlands of Scotland.
Rare objects as well as childhood memories.
Recently, the collector began searching for ancient Lu rubber figurines. He actually has Tintin in his astronaut suit, from Objectif Lune. He would also like to find a seaplane. Above all, treat yourself to the famous unicorn model from The Secret of the Unicorn. “That would be nice for an ex-Marine.” A thousand holes! We won't blame him..
“Hardcore beer fanatic. Falls down a lot. Professional coffee fan. Music ninja.”
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