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Jocelyn answers ...

A 'Gnomes and Munchkins' series ware rose bowl from Doulton . . .more

Jocelyn answers ...

A rare early figure of King Henry VIII
. . . more

Jocelyn answers ...

A Monty character jug designed by Harry Fenton . . .more

HISTORIC ARCHIVES:

CRISIS TALKS TO SAVE

WEDGWOOD MUSEUM

Tiles will be restored to former glory

Recent articles remind us that so much of Doulton's public work can come under threat despite its historic and artistic merit. . . .Latest

Letters to the editor

"I have in my possesion two watercolours signed by A E Pearce depicting scenes of Victorian english countryside."
. . . more

Arthur Ernest Pearce
1873-1928

by John Richmond

Arthur Ernest Pearce, my great grandfather, was an artist and designer who worked for Doulton for 55 years . . . more

BUY HERE!

Reflections: Doulton figurines
as a mirror of their times
by Jocelyn Lukins & Christopher Evans
. . . more

Mr Men join Beswick The Mr Men and Little Miss characters are fitting additions to the John Beswick range . . . more

——— Emails & Letters ———

Collecting character jugs

"I have tonight for the first time come across your excellent website for Doulton Collectors. I have learned more about the current market in the hour I have spent reading it than I had in the past few years of collecting!" . . . more

From Bonhams recent auction

An Impressive 'Sung' Vase with Fish, by Arthur Eaton and Charles Noke for Doulton Burslem (1924) sold for £6,500.
. . . more

From Louis Taylor's recent auction

Royal Doulton The Mask HN656 sold for £600 . . . more

Ask Harvey ...

Sairey Gamp colour variations . . . more

Ask Harvey ...

Words of comfort from Beswick
. . . more

Beswick Spring Launches 2012

The spring launches for John Beswick are many and varied and, as usual, there's something to suit all collecting interests . . . more

Deck, Dresser, Dalou
& Doulton

In 1880 John Sparkes, gave a lecture at The Society of Arts before prominent artists and educationalists including Christopher Dresser and Henry Doulton, and others. Here is the report in the Journal of Arts highlighting Doulton's many successes. . . . more

————Editorial————

It is often suggested nowadays that collecting is a thing of the past. The older people among us, they say, have been collecting for years and have all the pieces they want and with the financial restraints of the present they can't afford the rarer pieces they still lack.

Added to this, when the children have left home and the pension does not go as far as it should, people are downsizing, moving into smaller homes and selling some of their treasures because there is no longer room for them or they need the money.

Younger people, they say, are not interested in the things their parents enjoyed buying and displaying in their homes and prefer a more minimalist style of living. If, indeed, this is so, it isn't surprising that prices of collectables appear to be falling, with an increasing number of sellers and a shrinking market.

However, we continue to see the rarer and more desirable pieces selling for record sums, so I believe the obituary of collecting is as misguided as it is premature. It is part of human nature to collect things. I'm sure that from the dawn of homo sapiens people have been collecting starting, maybe, with a few coloured pebbles to brighten up the cave. Probably this is where dealing started also, caveman one having two blue stones that caveman two admired, might be persuaded to part with one of them for a mastodon steak. And the younger caveman is just as susceptible to the lure of well-crafted and beautiful objects as is the older Neanderthal.

Barry Hill

New Book

Louise Irvine's new book celebrates the achievements of Doulton's renowned Art Director, Charles J. Noke from 1890 to 1940 . . . more

——— Archive portal ——— CD&B archives

——— Auction reports ——— CD&B auction reports

David Briggs 1936-2010

He did far too many jugs to mention but look through your collection and you'll find David's jugs stand out by their distinctive handles . . . more

David Henry Souter 1862-1935

His drawings were soon influenced by the Art Nouveau style using strong solid areas and flowing lines. He drew cartoons for many publications from the 1880's. . . . more

Harry Simeon 1896-1936

Harry Simeon became one of Doulton Lambeth's most versatile and talented artists who were responsible for many of their 20th century lines. . . . more

For sale

An impressive bowl supported by gryphons, by Mark V Marshall . . . more

Mark V Marshall
1876-1912

The outstanding work of Mark Marshall
. . . more

Recent Jug Rarities
Doulton jug market review 1987 - 2011

Vern Woodruff of Ohio Royal Doulton Collectors Club gives his perspective on the Doulton jug market in the USA
. . . more

The Ohio Royal Doulton Collectors Club

Doulton inherited a number of Pinder Bourne designs which continued to be produced into the 1880s . . . more

Civil War Doulton

Royal Doulton's production of a number of Civil War related items over the years comprised 6 character jugs, 5 figurines and 1 plate. At the Ohio Royal Doulton Collectors Club in 2011 Vern Woodruff gave this presentation on these items, background on the people portrayed, and general information on the war. . . . more

Liberty of London

Doulton's mark 'Made for Liberty' on the base designates a rare item . . . more

Doulton and the
Alhambra vases

Doulton's 'Alhambra' vase may have been inspired by production at Manises rather than the magnificent Jarrón de las Gacelas (above) . . . more

Book review