Doulton's lepidoptera
In 1919 Samuel Jones & Co. Ltd. took the famous Camberwell Beauty as a trademark for their new method of colour printing. In 1920 they commissioned Doulton Lambeth to make a large tile panel showing it. ... more
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Historic Doulton tiles
SAVED? LATEST NEWS
Recent articles remind us that so much of Doulton's public work can come under threat despite its historic and artistic merit. December 5 . . .more
BUY HERE!
Reflections: Doulton figurines
as a mirror of their times
by Jocelyn Lukins & Christopher Evans
. . . more
Book review
Dresser's Decorative Design
by Christopher Morley
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
The Northern California Doulton Collectors' Club
Pascoe & Company organised a weekend event in San Francisco
. . . more
STOP PRESS!
HISTORIC ARCHIVES SAVED?
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 with mention of Joseph-Théodore Deck and Aimé-Jules Dalou. Here is the report in the Journal of Arts highlighting Doulton's many successes. . . . more
Ask Harvey ...
A Blue Beswick dog and a rare otter
. . . more
Season's greetings from Beswick
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the Snowman and Father Christmas and fortunately Beswick collectors can celebrate in style since John Beswick has the licence to produce ranges based on these classic characters . . . more
Charterhouse,
Sherborne
September auction report . . . more
Mark V Marshall
1876-1912
Neither Hannah Barlow nor George Tinworth could design or model a piece like this by an artist who was Mark V Marshall . . . more
Mr Men join Beswick
The Mr Men and Little Miss characters are fitting additions to the John Beswick range . . . more
December 2011-January 2012CD&B is updated regularly. |
————Editorial————
One of the most frequently occurring questions that readers send to us goes something like this: 'I have a collection of Beswick horses (or Royal Doulton figurines) that I want to sell. How can I find out what they are worth and can you advise me how to sell them?'
I am always at a bit of a loss on how to advise people in these circumstances. How many horses (or figurines) do you own? What model numbers? Are they in mint condition or is there some restoration or damage? Are they rare and desirable items or widely available and so unlikely to sell? All these questions will need to be addressed before any really meaningful advice can be given.
I usually advise owners to consult an auction house for a valuation - preferably one that specialises in Doulton or Beswick ceramics - and it is no accident that the best of these firms can be found on this website (see the advertisements, go to the auction reports section and look at the links we provide). All reputable auctioneers will give valuations free of charge in the hope of being given the opportunity of selling the items, but of course we always mention the fact, often glossed over or not mentioned in TV antiques shows, that a commission will be charged. So we advise sellers to be aware of exactly what such a deal will cost them and to set reserves accordingly but realistically.
Then there's always eBay. Again, you need to set a reserve, and if you really don't have any idea what your things are worth, this can be a problem. Price books or websites may give a clue, but these have always been a bit of a minefield, as values can vary from country to country and even from week to week. You could take a chance and sell at no reserve, risking your best pieces not making as much as they should, or, our advice, set a reasonable but not excessive reserve based, for want of anything better, on your gut feeling about the value of the piece. If it doesn't sell, the cost of your eBay entry will not bankrupt you. Good photographs are an absolute necessity, as many and as clear as possible, and don't neglect to show and describe any damage or restoration.
And there are always our free small ads if you can set a price - or, if you're really flummoxed, you could even ask for offers which you have no compulsion to accept.
Barry Hill
Editor
Doulton & the Paris exhibition of 1900
Whatever others may think, it is quite evident Messrs. Doulton & Co. have a whole-hearted belief in the value and interest of the approaching International Exhibition in Paris. . . . more
——— Archive portal ——— CD&B archives |
——— Auction reports ——— CD&B auction reports |
Beswick novelty animals
In 1931 there was a step change as John Beswick began to turn his attention to variety and novelties . . . . more
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Louis Taylor,
Stoke on Trent
Auction report: 3rd December 2011 . . . more
——— Emails & Letters ———
Liberty of London
This firm always commissioned exclusive pieces for their store so the Doulton mark 'Made for Liberty' on the base designates a rare item . . . 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