The Maharajah of Gaipajama – Figurines Tintin La Collection Officielle – 25 – Le Maharadjah De Rawhajpoutalah

Author: Hergé & Editions Moulinsart
Price: £65.00
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.

The Maharajah of Gaipajama: A Short Biography

The Maharajah of Gaipajama is a distinguished secondary character in Hergé’s The Adventures of Tintin. As ruler of the fictional Indian state of Gaipajama, he embodies dignity, wisdom, and hospitality, standing in marked contrast to the villains Tintin frequently encounters. Although his appearances are brief, they provide cultural richness and narrative depth to the series.

Character Profile

The Maharajah is portrayed as a stately and benevolent monarch. He is typically drawn wearing traditional royal attire, including a turban, richly decorated robes, and jewellery befitting his position. His physical presence conveys authority, while his demeanour suggests fairness, generosity, and courtesy.

Unlike some of Tintin’s antagonistic rulers or scheming politicians, the Maharajah is consistently presented as a man of integrity, concerned for the wellbeing of his people and his family.

Role in Cigars of the Pharaoh

The Maharajah makes his first appearance in Cigars of the Pharaoh, where Tintin visits Gaipajama during his pursuit of an international drug-smuggling ring. The Maharajah welcomes Tintin to his palace and shows him generous hospitality, treating him as an honoured guest.

The palace setting allows Hergé to introduce an exotic backdrop while avoiding caricature. The Maharajah is portrayed as a dignified host rather than a stereotype, reflecting Hergé’s growing sensitivity towards cultural representation at this stage of the series.

Role in The Blue Lotus

The Maharajah’s significance deepens in The Blue Lotus. In this story, his son, Prince Maharadjah, becomes a victim of the poisoned darts used by the Sons of the Dragon, a criminal organisation allied with Mitsuhirato. The poison causes madness in its victims, and the Maharajah suffers greatly from his son’s affliction.

When Tintin intervenes, he helps ensure that the prince receives treatment, earning the Maharajah’s profound gratitude. This moment highlights the ruler’s humanity and the emotional dimension of his character, showing him not merely as a figure of authority but as a father concerned for his child.

Relationship with Tintin

The Maharajah’s relationship with Tintin is built on mutual respect. He values Tintin’s bravery and resourcefulness, while Tintin appreciates the ruler’s hospitality and sincerity. This bond underscores Hergé’s theme of cross-cultural friendship, a theme especially important in The Blue Lotus, where Tintin also forms a lasting friendship with Chang Chong-Chen.

Thematic Significance

The Maharajah serves several narrative functions. First, he highlights Hergé’s shift away from simplistic exoticism towards more respectful and nuanced depictions of non-European cultures. Second, his character reinforces the theme of justice and compassion, contrasting with villains who embody greed and cruelty.

The Maharajah also symbolises tradition and continuity, grounding Tintin’s adventures within the framework of established cultures and monarchies, rather than anonymous or caricatured settings.

Legacy

Though his appearances are limited, the Maharajah of Gaipajama is remembered as one of Tintin’s noble allies. He enriches the cultural scope of the stories in which he features, offering readers an image of dignity, hospitality, and gratitude. His presence also reflects Hergé’s evolving artistry in creating secondary characters who bring authenticity and depth to Tintin’s world.

Why Buy from Us?

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Cataloguer: Daniel Hornsey

Daniel Hornsey has specialised in fine and rare books, ephemera, and collectors’ editions for over thirty years. As a long-standing member of the antiquarian book trade, he has advised private collectors, curated catalogues, and sourced works for leading dealers, libraries and institutions across the world.

Hornseys’ exhibit regularly at book and map fairs in London and throughout the UK and are members of the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association, the PBFA.

His fascination with Hergé’s work — especially ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ — began in childhood. Daniel recalls reading Tintin in original European editions and quickly recognising that these were not merely children’s books, but finely illustrated narratives crafted with artistic depth and wit.

As noted by the Musée Hergé in Louvain-la-Neuve, Hergé’s ‘ligne claire’ style has influenced generations of European comic artists and his original drawings and paintings command very high prices with his painting of ‘The Blue Lotus’ jar fetching £2.8m at auction in 2021.

By presenting these works through Hornseys’, he hopes to contribute to the continued appreciation of one of the 20th century’s most influential illustrators, helping new generations discover the artistry and legacy of Hergé.