The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Royal Doulton Beswick Storybook Figurines, Sixth Edition

The Beswick factory was founded by John Beswick at Loughton, Stoke-on-Trent, in the mid 1890s, producing decorative and table wares. Within forty years, though, it had become famous for its finely modelled figures of animals especially famous racehorses and champion dogs. Of its artists, Arthur Gredington is perhaps the best known and it was he that produced the first Beatrix Potter figure - Jemima Puddleduck. This was a great success and so a further ten figures from the Beatrix Potter books followed a year later in 1948.

The public had a great appetite for these whimsical animal characters and the Beswick factory went on to produce characters from other books and films including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Alice in Wonderland, The Wind in the Willows and Bambi.

In the late 1960s the company was bought by Royal Doulton who had been producing their own successful range of character figurines since the latter part of the 19th century. Since the amalgamation, the figurine producing studios have not rested on their laurels. They have continued to produce character figures based on new successful books, films and television programmes like the Brambly Edge series, The Snowman, Thunderbirds and Paddington Bear.

The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Royal Doulton Beswick Storybook Figurines, Sixth Edition, by Jean Dale, is the ideal book for all collectors. There is information on the history of Beswick and on collecting the figurines. The book also gives contacts for the various collectors clubs in the U.K., Canada and the U.S.A. as well as information on where to buy.

The price guide section covers the complete range of this type of figure except Bunnykins which is covered by a separate guide. Each figure has a good black and white picture and some are illustrated in colour. They are categorised by series and information is given with each picture on the designer, size, colour and date. A picture of the maker's mark is also shown alongside each figure. The price is given in sterling as well as Canadian and U.S. dollars.

If you collect Beswick figurines, this book is essential.

Quick Facts

Title:  The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Royal Doulton Beswick Storybook Figurines, Sixth Edition

Author: Jean Dale, 

Published: November 2000 

ISBN: 0-88968-248-8

Number of Pages: 324 pages

Price: UK - £16.95, USA - $19.95, Canada - $24.95

Return to Home Page