The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Royal Doulton Beswick Storybook Figurines. 6th ed.

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Is there a Canadian home without a cherished Royal Doulton figure on the
mantle? From a modest pottery started in England in 1815, Royal Doulton
has infiltrated our present-day concept of what is refined, desirable,
and valuable. Even those who classify the figurines as “dustables”
respect their mystique—and price tag. There are now more than 2000
Royal Doulton figures for collectors to acquire, opening up the
possibilities for specialized collections of vellum figures or period
pieces, or those focusing on specific subjects (children, fair ladies,
literature, history, etc.), size, or series.

The Catalogue of Royal Doulton Figurines is an extensive reference,
with information on the history, manufacture, and care of the figures
supplementing a massive catalogue of some 2000 listings, each with a
photo as well as details of date, color, size, designer, and value in
Canadian, U.S., and U.K. currency. Approximately 130 of the figures are
illustrated in color.

The enormous popularity of the human figurines is nearly matched by the
Beswick animal characters’ appeal. Teddy bears, kittens, rabbits,
mice, hedgehogs, and other storybook characters inhabit this world of
ceramic collectibles. Hundreds of them are illustrated and described
(with their current value identified) in the Catalogue of Royal Doulton
Beswick Storybook Figurines. There’s a substantial Beatrice Potter
section, plus extensive listings of Walt Disney figures. Alice in
Wonderland, Paddington Bear, Snow White, and Winnie the Pooh are all
included. Collectors who wish to specialize will find these details
helpful.

As both books meet Charlton’s high standards for comprehensiveness,
research, and accuracy, Royal Doulton collectors will find them
invaluable.