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Wade
Whimsies and Other Wade Figurines
Wade Ceramics has had a chequered history. Founded in 1910 by Henry
Hallen near Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, and named, unoriginally, Henry
Hallen Pottery. At the end of the 19th century it was taken over
by George Wade whose own pottery was competing successfully with
the business. Meanwhile George Wade's brother formed his own pottery
in 1867, also in Burslem. Eventually, in 1938, the two businesses
came under the ownership of Colonel George A Wade. Under his direction,
the companies acquired other potteries including one in Portadown,
Northern Ireland. It wasn't until 1958 that the companies were amalgamated
into one group, Wade, Heath & Co Ltd. In 1989, the group was
bought by Beaufort Plc and its link with the Wade family came to
an end although it is still run as a separate group under the name
Wade Ceramics Ltd.
During most of this period, the companies in the Wade group had
concentrated on industrial ceramics although Wade first produced
decorative figures during the 1920s and 1930s but its famous Wade
Whimsies weren't introduced until 1954 as a sideline to keep the
Portadown plant busy after it lost contracts for porcelain electrical
insulators. Originally, between 1954 and 1959, they were sold in
boxed sets and many sets were given away free with Red Rose Tea
in Canada and the USA. It wasn't until 1971 that individual figures
were on sale and this continued until 1984.
Series of Wade Figurines and Other
Collectables
1927 to late 1930s - Van Hallen Figurines
Art Deco and classic figurines decorated after the first
firing with a 'Scintillate' finish, a cellulose spray paint. The
company claimed it was the equivalent of the fine finish of a motor
car. Time has shown the finish was not so good and has yellowed
and cracked on many figurines. Examples still with an uncracked
or yellowed finish are highly prized by collectors. During the 1930s,
these figurines were also made with underglaze decoration. A few
of these pieces were reissued during the 1950s.
1938 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Early 1930s Asprey & Co Decanter
Made for the jewellers, Asprey & Co, this Scotch whisky decanter
is in the form of a Scotsman.
1948 - 1958 - Nursery Rhyme Figures
For the first four years, these figures were made for export
only. Early versions have handmade flowers on the base but were
discontinued after 1952.
1952 - late 1950s - The Quack-Quack Family
Four figures to accompany nurseryware dishes made by Wade.
1953 - 1959 - Whimsies
These were finely modelled and detailed animal figures
and were finished and painted on slow moving production lines.
Late 1950s - early 1960s - Wee Willie Winkie Wall Plaque
A set of four wall plaques showing scenes from the nursery
rhyme.
1955 - 1960 - Novelty Animal Figures
Five comic animal figures - no backstamp but had a paper
label.
1956 - 1958 - Snippets
These look like cut-outs from children's books and were
made in porcelain.
1956 - 1959 - Minikins
Smaller, lower priced figures of animals produced after
the success of Whimsies.
1956 - 1959 - Drum Box Series
Five animal figures each sold in a box resembling a drum.
1956 - 1959 - Disney Hat Box Series
Presented individually in a round box, these figurines
were based on Disney cartoon characters,
1958 - 1959 - The Alphabet Train
As its name suggests, this was a model of a railway engine
and carriages with letters of the alphabet on the sides and either
letters or numbers on the roofs. Some sets have, instead, scenes
of London on the sides.
1958 - 1960 - The Noddy Set
Four figures from Enid Blyton's classic children's books:
Noddy, Big Ears, Miss Fluffy Cat and Mr Plod.
1959 - Mabel Lucie Attwell Characters
This set consists of just two characters: Sam and Sarah.
1959 - 1965 - TV Pets
Ten figures in the series based on characters from the
TV series.
1961 - 1965 - Disneys
Larger versions of the Hatbox series of figures.
1962 - Hanna-Barbera Cartoon Characters
Early to mid 1960s - Robertson's Gollies
This is a set of eight figures with each Golly playing
a different instrument. Collectors should be aware that a cheaper
version was made elsewhere but the Wade figures have a white porcelain
base.
Late 1960s - ICI Man
A promotional figurine produced for a drug company.
1971 - 1984 - Whimsies
These were made using moulds from previous series but there
are variations in size and colour from the older versions.
Mid 1970s - Bisto Kids
A salt and pepper shaker set in the form of the Bisto Kids
used in that company's advertising.
1976 - 1980 - Aquarium Set
Six figures produced for King British Aquarium Accessories.
1989 - 1990 - Sherwood Forest Series
Three figures, Robin Hood, Maid Marian and Friar Tuck,
produced for the company POS-NER Associates of Canada. There were
5000 copies made of each figure.
1990 - 1991 - Nursery Favourites
A set of five figurines made from the same moulds as the
earlier Nursery Rhymes series. The year is stamped on the bottom
to avoid confusion with the original ones.
!990 - 1992 - Tetley Tea Salt and Pepper Shakers
The two characters, Brew Gaffer and Sydney, were made for
Tetley as a special promotion lasting about 15 months.
1990 - 1992 - My Fair Ladies Set
There were two sets made. Both sets had four designs but
decorated in two colours so giving eight figures to each set.
1991 - 1992 - Sophisticated Ladies
A set of four hand decorated figures although examples
have been found that are unpainted or with an all-white glaze.
1992 - My Fair Ladies Liquor Set
Hebrides Scotch Whisky bought figurines from the My Fair
Ladies Sets in the form of whisky containers.
As well as these series there were numerous individual figures
made by the Wade Group of Companies.
Copyright © 2007 Carol Fisher
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