Discover, buy and collect NFTs
of your favourite universe.

The Blue Lotus cover project, a unique drawing.

The first illustration project created by Hergé in 1936 for the cover of The Blue Lotus was rejected by the publisher because it was too expensive to reproduce in colour. This artwork was sold at auction on January 14th, 2021 for €2.6M (excluding commission).
Two auction world records:
•  For original artwork by Hergé.
•  For original comic strip artwork.
The Blue Lotus cover project

Now you can buy the first two official Tintin NFTs related to the project for The Blue Lotus cover.

The Blue Lotus Print
+ NFT certificate
The Blue Lotus cover project poseter framed The Blue Lotus cover project poseter framed The Blue Lotus cover project poseter framed The Blue Lotus cover project poseter framed
VAT & Gas fee incl. + Delivery fee.
Characteristics
  • PRINT
  • Strictly limited to 777 copies
  • Numbered From 001 to 777
  • Size 328 x 328 mm
  • Tech. Offset HUV
  • Paper 250g/m²
  • CERTIFICATES
  • Types Printed + NFT
  • Numbered From 001 to 777
  • Token Standard ERC-721
  • Blockchain Polygon
  • Contract 0x05f9...c789
  • Creator fee 0%
  • FRAME
  • Size 500 x 500 mm
  • Materials Wood and glass
Treasury & utilities
Upon purchase of The Blue Lotus Print(s) & the attached NFT Certificate, the following digital Tintin product will be available:
  • A digital booklet devised by the Hergeologist, Philippe Goddin called “AT THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE LOTUS”.
The following utilities will be available:
  • Preferential rights for the next Tintin NFT.
The Blue Lotus NFT
Solely in digital form
Characteristics
  • Quantity 100 copies
  • Limited edition / ID Tokens From 0 to 99
  • Visual distinction Numbering in Chinese char.
  • Numbered Between 0001 and 1777 randomly assigned
  • Geolocation 78 famous Tintin places
  • Medium Image (JPEG)
  • Dimensions 5000 x 5000 px
  • File Size 2 MB
  • Token Standard ERC-721
  • Blockchain Ethereum
  • Contract 0x05f9...c789
  • Creator fee 10%
Treasury & utilities
Upon purchase of The Blue Lotus NFT the following digital Tintin products will be available:
  • The original B/W digital edition of THE BLUE LOTUS (available in 2024) as read-only in digital format, in French and English.
  • The classic 62 page full-colour digital edition of The Blue Lotus read-only file, in French and English.
  • The yet to be published newly colourised edition of THE BLUE LOTUS (available in 2024) as read-only in digital format, in French and English.
  • A digital booklet devised by the Hergeologist, Philippe Goddin called “AT THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE LOTUS”.
The following utilities will be available:
  • A one-time use family pass for the Hergé Museum (two adults - two children).
  • Preferential rights for the next Tintin NFT.
Illustration of Tintin in the Blue Lotus vase
The Facts
The story behind each piece of art is what distinguishes works of art from mere objects. The only true question is the knowledge of the facts.
With your "unlockable" content, you will discover the history of the first cover design of The Blue Lotus book.
The Blue Lotus, "The second instalment of Tintin's adventure in the Orient, is a masterpiece-Hergé's first by general agreement, his finest in the opinion of some". (Michael Farr, Tintin, the Complete Companion (2001) Ed. Moulinsart).

Frequently asked questions

General questions and Tintin NFTs case
1. What is an NFT?
An NFT is a specific kind of token/collectible digital asset. Unlike other tokens, an NFT is, as its name suggests, “non-fungible” or not fungible/replaceable. An NFT is, as rule, unique. An NFT is a digital asset that can be owned, sold, and traded. After initial purchase, the NFT can be sold on the marketplace.
TINTIN CASE
The first Tintin NFTs are linked to a singular creation - the first draft for The Blue Lotus cover created by Hergé. Two types of Tintin NFTs have been created in relation to this work:
  • A First Tintin NFT called “The Blue Lotus NFT”, solely in digital form, will be sold as a limited digital edition of the full HD image from 0001 to 1,777.
  • A Second Tintin NFT called “The Blue Lotus NFT certificate”, certificate for HF printing. HF paper print run of 777 physical copies will be numbered from 001 to 777. These prints will be irrevocably and definitively assigned to 777 NFT certificates in a paired or unpaired manner.
2. What is a crypto wallet?
To buy, hold and transfer an NFT, you need to open or create a wallet that supports the NFT format. Wallets also allow users to send, receive and spend cryptocurrency and (in many cases) your NFTs. A cryptocurrency wallet stores your private keys, ensuring its security and accessibility. Think of it as your address/ID on the blockchain. You can send and receive items from your wallet or keep them locked away safely.
TINTIN CASE
To get started and begin your NFT Tintin transactions, you must create a wallet and connect it to digital.tintin.com while creating an account (go to "connect my wallet").
3. What is a drop?
An NFT drop is the launch of a non-fungible token project. It includes the exact date, time, and usually the minting price of the NFT.
TINTIN CASE
The two Tintin NFTs will be dropped at a date wich will be scheduled by Tintinimaginatio during April.
4. What is the blockchain?
The blockchain is a kind of digital ledger of records, called blocks, that are linked together in a decentralised, secure and transparent way using cryptography. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp and transaction data.
TINTIN CASE
The two Tintin NFTs are stored on the blockchain. After the purchase of the Tintin NFTs, the location of the Tintin NFTs on the blockchain is granted via the smart contract. The entire image of The Blue Lotus NFT is however stored outside the blockchain (via an IPFS storage, see below). The Ethereum blockchain is used for the “The Blue Lotus NFT” and the Polygon Mainnet is used for “The Blue Lotus NFT certificate”.
5. What is Minting?
When someone “mints” an NFT, they create a file that lives on a blockchain that cannot be edited or deleted. They register, for example the digital work on the blockchain.
TINTIN CASE
  • As for the “The Blue Lotus NFT” (solely in digital form), there are two payment/minting options: Either you pay and "mint" the Tintin NFT in cryptocurrency, or you pay with EUROS or FIAT with your credit card. The gas fees will be mentioned on top (in real time) by following the "minting" process indicated on the website.
  • As for “The Blue Lotus NFT certificate” (related to the physical HF print), the selling price of this HF print includes the transaction fee and the NFT cost of striking/minting (simultaneously paying and “minting” the fees payable to the computers that maintain the network).
6. What is a smart contract?
The smart contract is by definition an automated programme or literally a “smart contract” i.e. a digital contract in which the terms of the agreement between the users are defined in computer codes. NFTs usually contain a so-called "smart contract", a computer code that automatically performs certain actions as soon as predefined conditions are met. Smart contracts consist of several key parts: the signatories, the purpose, the terms of the transaction and the specific conditions.
TINTIN CASE
  • As for “The Blue Lotus NFT” (solely in digital form), the smart contract will provide for the specific terms detailed in a programming language compatible with the smart contract’s blockchain, and shall contain among other things the proof of ownership of The Blue Lotus NFT and permission or access levels to different Tintin content (unlockable content).
  • As for “The Blue Lotus NFT certificate” (related to printing), the smart contract will provide for the specific terms detailed in a programming language compatible with the smart contract’s blockchain, and shall contain among others the NFT certificate attached to the HD printing (see above Tintin NFT).
7. What are treasuries & utilities?
Treasuries/utilities (benefits) are only made available and accessible only to those who hold a particular NFT. These could be anything from higher resolution versions of the NFT’s image, videos and related material, to access to secret communities/events, or even simple discount codes.
TINTIN CASE
The unlockable contents/Tintin treasuries are designed and access to them is granted only to the current owner and holder of The Blue Lotus NFT. Copying or sharing them with others will not make this NFT special anymore and could decrease its value.
8. What is an IPFS?
IPFS stands for “Interplanetary File System" which is a distributed storage network / solution. It works in a similar way to cloud storage. IPFS is an information or file storage network that is not centralised or controlled by a single party. Furthermore, it is a content-based system and not on the domain or location-based under a URL.
TINTIN CASE
In order to reduce the environmental impact, the HD image file of the first draft of The Blue Lotus cover created by Hergé (see above) is stored in an IPFS infrastructure and not stored as such on the blockchain. By purchasing and owning The Blue Lotus NFT (solely in digital form), you will have access to the HD image file of the first draft of The Blue Lotus cover. You will receive a link to your personal NFT on IPFS. Copying or sharing them with others will not make this NFT special anymore. You will also be able to download your HD image file related to “The Blue Lotus NFT” for your personal use or to display it on a marketplace or in your own virtual gallery.
9. What is NFT Reveal?
When you mint an NFT, the artwork won’t actually be created until the minting is complete. This means that you’re purchasing a ‘blind box’ and won’t know exactly what you get until it’s time to reveal it.
TINTIN CASE
When you mint (or buy) "The Blue Lotus NFT", what you’ll see first on OpenSea is a placeholder image. For "The Blue Lotus NFT" it is the dragon in black and white. After the mint ends (usually within 24 hours), the NFT image will be revealed and you can vizualize it on your Digital Tintin account and on marketplaces like OpenSea.
How to buy the Tintin NFTs?
1. Create a wallet
MetaMask is the most popular crypto wallet today. It is available as a browser extension and mobile application. Here is a detailed video on how to create your MetaMask wallet. Learn more about MetaMask and how easy it is to use: https://metamask.io. If you are using a mobile phone you need to use the MetaMask application's built in browser. After creating a wallet, connect it to Digital Tintin.
2. Do I really need a crypto wallet?
YES if you want to buy “The Blue Lotus NFTs” in digital form.
NO if you want to buy “The Blue Lotus Print(s)”, but it's still mandatory if you want to activate the attached NFT certificate.
3. Buy The Blue Lotus Print(s) and the attached NFT certificate
To buy “The Blue Lotus Print(s)” you will be redirected to the official Tintin online store (boutique.tintin.com).
You don't need a wallet to buy “The Blue Lotus Print(s)” and you can use your credit card. But you need a wallet if you want to activate the attached NFT certificate. Activation of the certificate is not mandatory but must be done within two months of your purchase. After your purchase we will send you an email explaining all the steps.
4. Buy The Blue Lotus NFT in digital form
You need to connect your wallet to buy “The Blue Lotus NFTs”. You can use your credit card (Mastercard, Visa) or use your Ethereum cryptocurrency wallet.
Orders and support
1. Right to withdraw or cancel my order
  • There is no statutory right to withdraw from your purchase of “The Blue Lotus NFT“ as these are intangible/collectible assets.
  • As for the purchase of the print and the related “The Blue Lotus NFT certificate”, you have a withdrawal right for, your purchase provided that:
    • You have not used the code for minting the certificate.
    • You exercise your right within a 14-day period from receipt of the print and pay the shipping costs of returning the assets.
    • The returned print/frame and package is complete and undamaged.
For more information, please read the terms and conditions on the Boutique Tintin website.
2. How to vizualize my Tintin NFTs ?
When you mint (or buy) "The Blue Lotus NFT", what you’ll see first on OpenSea is a placeholder image. For "The Blue Lotus NFT" it is the dragon in black and white. After the mint ends (usually within 24 hours), the NFT image will be revealed.
  • On Digital Tintin, connect your wallet and go to "Your Tintin NFTs".
  • On marketplaces like OpenSea or Rarible for example, connect your wallet and go to your profile.
  • In your MetaMask wallet. If you want to import your NFT you will need the contract address and your token ID (see below).
The contract address for "The Blue Lotus" (NFTs and Print Certificates) is 0x05f9...c789. You can find your Token ID on Digital Tintin or on the marketplaces. Please note that "The Blue Lotus NFTs" are on the Ethereum blockchain and "The Blue Lotus Print Certificates" are on the Polygon Mainnet blockchain.
3. When are my NFTs will be revealed?
Purchased "The Blue Lotus NFTs" will be revealed every 24 hours. If your NFT is not revealed after 24 hours of purchasing time, please contact our support team and provide us with your wallet address, transaction hash and how you bought it (per crypto currency through your wallet or credit card through Crossmint)
4. Could you help me to create a Wallet or to buy Cryptocurrencies?
We recommend you use MetaMask, the most popular wallet today. To create and connect your wallet, you can watch this detailed video. If you need help using the MetaMask wallet, follow this link. And if you need a guide to get started in Web3, follow this course. We can't help you more to create and connect your wallet.
5. Closing date for sales of The Blue Lotus NFT and numbering
The originally planned maximum number of 1,777 of The Blue Lotus NFTs (solely digital) would be fixed/adapted/reduced to the number of all The Blue Lotus NFTs (solely digital) sold on the closing date (which cannot exceed 1777 units).
On the closing date, it will no longer be possible to buy The Blue Lotus NFT (solely digital) on digital.tintin.com. Everybody interested in The Blue Lotus NFT (solely digital) will have to turn to the secondary market (“Market Place”).
The closing date is: August 31st, 2023 (12:00 a.m. CET)
6. Report an issue with the site or contact the Customer Service
If you have an issue with the site or a Customer Service inquiry, please contact digital@tintin.com.
A fabulous artist.
Hergé (1907-1983), the creator of The Adventures of Tintin, left an exceptional legacy. From his childhood onwards, we can judge the range of his talent from the vast number of drawings that he produced. The prolific output of the master of the "clear line" included comic strips, advertisements, illustrations, fashion designs and caricatures.
Hergé et la satue de Tintin
Hergé - Photo: Kayaert
Tintin
Participate in a new spirit ‑digital‑ Tintin.
Our vision: to place Hergé's work at the heart of the digital challenge.
Stay in the loop!
Sign up to our newsletter
Download
the Tintin App
Press review
About The Blue Lotus cover