Oliveira Da Figueira – Figurines Tintin La Collection Officielle – 16 – Oliveira Da Figueira

Author: Hergé & Editions Moulinsart
Price: £35.00
Publisher: Editions Moulinsart
Publication date: 2012
Format: Original pictorial boards with passport and figurine
Condition: In fine condition
Illustrations: Illustrated throughout

Description:

Original pictorial boards. Includes passport loosely inserted. Text in French. Includes the accompanying figurine. One from the collection of 111 books and figurines. In fine, clean condition overall.

Oliveira Da Figueira: A Brief Biography

Oliveira da Figueira is one of the most endearing secondary characters in Hergé’s The Adventures of Tintin. A Portuguese merchant with an irrepressible gift for persuasion, he brings comic warmth to the stories while also providing Tintin with valuable assistance at crucial moments. His character is a celebration of exuberance, hospitality, and charm, standing in contrast to the many villains Tintin encounters on his travels.

Character Profile

Da Figueira is portrayed as a rotund, middle-aged man with a prominent moustache, a bald head, and an expansive smile. His attire is often that of a Mediterranean trader: loose-fitting clothes suited to warm climates, sometimes accompanied by a fez when in the Middle East.

His defining trait is his extraordinary skill as a salesman. With inexhaustible energy and eloquence, he can persuade anyone to buy goods they neither need nor want. His garrulous nature and boundless enthusiasm make him both a comic figure and a symbol of Mediterranean sociability.

Despite his comical qualities, da Figueira is depicted as warm-hearted, hospitable, and utterly loyal to Tintin. He embodies goodwill, always eager to help Tintin in practical and sometimes ingenious ways.

First Appearance: Cigars of the Pharaoh

Da Figueira first appears in Cigars of the Pharaoh, where Tintin encounters him on the Arabian Peninsula. The scene illustrates da Figueira’s legendary salesmanship: Tintin finds himself overwhelmed by the merchant’s fast-talking patter and leaves laden with purchases. This comic introduction establishes da Figueira as a character who can dominate a scene through personality alone.

Later Appearances

He returns in The Red Sea Sharks, where his role expands beyond comic relief. In this story, da Figueira provides Tintin and Captain Haddock with vital support against the backdrop of Rastapopoulos’s human trafficking operations. His resourcefulness and willingness to assist demonstrate that he is more than a comic character; he is a dependable ally when needed.

He also makes a memorable appearance in Land of Black Gold, where he once again helps Tintin in the Middle Eastern setting. His ability to talk his way through obstacles and his knowledge of local life prove valuable in Tintin’s efforts to uncover a conspiracy surrounding oil supplies.

Relationship with Tintin and Other Characters

Oliveira da Figueira has a genuine affection for Tintin, treating him almost as a younger brother or honoured guest. He offers Tintin shelter, guidance, and practical aid, motivated not by profit but by friendship. Unlike many of Tintin’s acquaintances, who are drawn into adventures reluctantly, da Figueira embraces Tintin’s visits with delight.

His interactions with Captain Haddock are often amusing, as Haddock has little patience for the merchant’s endless chatter, yet even he recognises da Figueira’s good-heartedness.

Thematic Significance

Oliveira da Figueira represents generosity, hospitality, and the human connections Tintin makes across the globe. In a series often concerned with crime, corruption, and danger, da Figueira stands out as a reminder of the kindness found in ordinary people. His gift for salesmanship may be exaggerated to comic effect, but it is underpinned by an irrepressible zest for life and a willingness to help those he considers friends.

Legacy

Though not a major character, da Figueira remains a memorable presence in the Tintin universe. His blend of comedy and warmth ensures that his appearances are fondly recalled by readers. He illustrates Hergé’s talent for populating Tintin’s world with lively secondary figures who enrich the narrative without overshadowing the central characters.

Oliveira da Figueira endures as a symbol of good humour, loyalty, and generosity—the embodiment of the ordinary man whose simple humanity contributes to extraordinary adventures.

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