ANTIQUES LETTERS: 5 July
Q I have the following books, all in excellent condition: Windmills (published 1923, no. 24 in a limited edition of 75 in UK and USA), in which two signed prints by Frank Brangwyn, RA are at the front of the book; An Alphabet by William Nicholson (published in 1899 by William Heinemann) and Auntie Jack’s Nonsense Rhymes, which is illustrated by Georg Heil.
I’d like to know if they’re worth anything, please. RM, Hants
A You have a great selection. Windmills was written by Hayter Preston and is worth around £40 to £80. Your other books have much more appeal because of their charming colour illustrations. Nicholson’s An Alphabet is a classic book that has been published several times since it first came out in 1898. Yours, although not a first edition, is still worth £80 to £120. Auntie Jack’s Nonsense Rhymes (1923) is very collectable and worth around £150 to £350 plus, depending on the market. I’ve even seen a copy available at a rather hopeful £475.
Illustrated children’s books are very popular and are often split up with the plates being sold separately so it’s rare to get them complete and in good condition, which is reflected in their value.
I once filmed an antiques TV show where I was consultant and scriptwriter, helping the onscreen antiques expert. I wrote a ‘PTC’ (piece to camera, which is where the presenter talks about an object) about a Royal Doulton vase and the presenter looked at me, horrified, and asked if viewers would even have heard of Royal Doulton.
Needless to say, both the contributors featured in the show and I were shocked because everyone who loves antiques knows Doulton. Most of us have at least one piece in our homes and the famous pottery is a staple of antiques fairs, centres and auctions.
The firm started life making sanitary ware – as in sewer pipes and toilets. They have made everything from stoneware bottles for alcohol and advertising wares for pubs to crinoline ladies and, as I’ve written about before, dressed rabbits – their appealing Bunnykins series.
Other products include Snowman figures and practical pieces, including lamps and egg cups, which are based on Raymond Briggs’s popular character.
Many of you have sent me photographs of your Series Ware, featuring Charles Dickens characters and china vases where the pieces were painted over lace, which formed their distinctive mottled patterning.
Doulton comes in price ranges to match all pockets. The only areas that have proved unsuccessful are the coffee sets, which are fairly conservative and reflect changing tastes and usage. The resin figures Jane Hissey’s Old Bear And Friends series didn’t catch on, the quality and fi nish being below Doulton quality.
In 2015, Doulton celebrates its bicentenary. The pottery was founded by 22-year-old John Doulton and gained its Royal charter in 1901, becoming Royal Doulton. There are many famous designers working for Doulton, including the Mouseman, George Tinworth, Hannah Barlow, Charles Dana Gibson (of Gibson Girls fame), Charles Noke and Charles Vyse. The latter created the first-ever Doulton fi gure, marked HN1 and named Darling after Queen Mary toured the pottery in 1913, saw the figure and proclaimed, ‘Isn’t he darling’.
Visitors to West Norwood cemetery in London can visit Sir Henry Doulton’s mausoleum, created from Royal Doulton terracotta blocks, with contributions from the pottery’s artists. It’s similar to the nearby Tate family (of sugar fame) mausoleum, which also used Doulton blocks. Doulton designed several other tombs and decorations around the Victorian cemetery.
How To Deal In Antiques by Fiona Shoop (How To Books, £16.99).
Send your antiques questions to Fiona Shoop, Antiques, The Lady, 39-40 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ER (enclose an SAE for a reply); or email TheLadyAntiques@lady.co.uk
Send an image of the item, with backstamp if possible, and no more than two images at once.
I’d like to know if they’re worth anything, please. RM, Hants
A You have a great selection. Windmills was written by Hayter Preston and is worth around £40 to £80. Your other books have much more appeal because of their charming colour illustrations. Nicholson’s An Alphabet is a classic book that has been published several times since it first came out in 1898. Yours, although not a first edition, is still worth £80 to £120. Auntie Jack’s Nonsense Rhymes (1923) is very collectable and worth around £150 to £350 plus, depending on the market. I’ve even seen a copy available at a rather hopeful £475.
Illustrated children’s books are very popular and are often split up with the plates being sold separately so it’s rare to get them complete and in good condition, which is reflected in their value.
TOP TIPS: ROYAL DOULTON
I once filmed an antiques TV show where I was consultant and scriptwriter, helping the onscreen antiques expert. I wrote a ‘PTC’ (piece to camera, which is where the presenter talks about an object) about a Royal Doulton vase and the presenter looked at me, horrified, and asked if viewers would even have heard of Royal Doulton.Needless to say, both the contributors featured in the show and I were shocked because everyone who loves antiques knows Doulton. Most of us have at least one piece in our homes and the famous pottery is a staple of antiques fairs, centres and auctions.
The firm started life making sanitary ware – as in sewer pipes and toilets. They have made everything from stoneware bottles for alcohol and advertising wares for pubs to crinoline ladies and, as I’ve written about before, dressed rabbits – their appealing Bunnykins series.
Other products include Snowman figures and practical pieces, including lamps and egg cups, which are based on Raymond Briggs’s popular character.
Many of you have sent me photographs of your Series Ware, featuring Charles Dickens characters and china vases where the pieces were painted over lace, which formed their distinctive mottled patterning.
Doulton comes in price ranges to match all pockets. The only areas that have proved unsuccessful are the coffee sets, which are fairly conservative and reflect changing tastes and usage. The resin figures Jane Hissey’s Old Bear And Friends series didn’t catch on, the quality and fi nish being below Doulton quality.
In 2015, Doulton celebrates its bicentenary. The pottery was founded by 22-year-old John Doulton and gained its Royal charter in 1901, becoming Royal Doulton. There are many famous designers working for Doulton, including the Mouseman, George Tinworth, Hannah Barlow, Charles Dana Gibson (of Gibson Girls fame), Charles Noke and Charles Vyse. The latter created the first-ever Doulton fi gure, marked HN1 and named Darling after Queen Mary toured the pottery in 1913, saw the figure and proclaimed, ‘Isn’t he darling’.
Visitors to West Norwood cemetery in London can visit Sir Henry Doulton’s mausoleum, created from Royal Doulton terracotta blocks, with contributions from the pottery’s artists. It’s similar to the nearby Tate family (of sugar fame) mausoleum, which also used Doulton blocks. Doulton designed several other tombs and decorations around the Victorian cemetery.
How To Deal In Antiques by Fiona Shoop (How To Books, £16.99).
Send your antiques questions to Fiona Shoop, Antiques, The Lady, 39-40 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ER (enclose an SAE for a reply); or email TheLadyAntiques@lady.co.uk
Send an image of the item, with backstamp if possible, and no more than two images at once.