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The market really opened up to enthusiasts after
Royal Dalton provided access to the Company’s
archival records, yielding several pattern books and price
lists going back to 1960. This led to the publication of
the first price guide, the 1987 Beswick Collectors
Handbook by Harvey May. This was the first time a
complete list of all the Beswick figures, birds, and
animals appeared in print. Many more would follow with
information regarding decoration, modeling, and
backstamp variations – and the quiet realization that
these elements held the keys to rarity and desirability.
Editions of this price guide and others can be found
online at most bookstores. Beswick hand painted gloss glazed pair of
Beswick animal figurines are mostly affordable King Charles Spaniels with their gold collars,
(typically $50-$350) and can be readily found at online distinct glossy white coats highlighted with hand painted
Beswick Rare chestnut Woolly Shetland Mare 1033 auction sites such as etsy.com, eBay.com, and antiques- gold accents, marked “Beswick, England, 1378-6”,
(restoration to one ear) sold for $4,700 against a top atlas.com, making them a fun and popular collectible. $80-$250 in the U.S. online
estimate of $1,800 in 2018
Rarer items tend to show up at specialty
auctions and through invaluable.com, but can
cost thousands of dollars or more, such as
Huntsman, model 1501. Animal figurines can
also be purchased directly through numerous
online shops, many in the UK, although here
it’s Buyer Beware!

Beswick Branding
Collectors of porcelain figurines will be
familiar with the wide range of stamps as used
by manufacturers to mark their work.
Sometimes referred to as backstamps, these
marks are generally found on the underside of
the figurine and will always include the iden-
tity of the manufacturer at the very least.
John E. Beswick implemented this
practice at his Beswick factory shortly after
Beswick rare Shire Horse 818 in Strawberry Roan color taking over. He created a range of marks or
way with top estimate of $1,900 sold for $8,600
stamps that are found on Beswick pieces, and
introduced a “shape book” and a systematic
numbering catalog recording the impressed Beswick Backstamps over time –
click on image for link
mark and backstamp on a range of Beswick
figurines during its pre-Royal Doulton years. This is a great roadmap for
collectors looking to identify their items and determine value; however,
many Beswick figurines have no branding marks at all, as the Company
was well-known for having unfinished pieces walk out its back door.
The earlier Beswick stamps, dating from just after the First World
War, take the form of a simple circle or oval shape formed by way of the
words “Beswick England,” imprinted in green. By 1936, the circular or
oval condition had disappeared altogether, and the stamp had changed
into “Beswick Ware Made within England” in beautiful flowing script.
In each case, the mark or stamp appeared on the underside of that piece.
In 1954, Beswick introduced an impressed mark with serial numbers.
“BESWICK ENGLAND” appears in block capital letters in a semi-circle
with the serial number set below it.
In the late 1960s, the Beswick pottery began produc-
ing the first of a series of special figurine collections,
From the realistic to the most famous of which is the Beatrix Potter collec-
the whimsical. tion. This necessitated providing much greater infor-
Above, Rare Beswick model of mation inside the stamp so, for example, you will see
a girl on grey pony 1499 ©WALT DISNEY PROD BESWICK ENGLAND
with light green jacket – top in the underside of the Winnie The Pooh series (1968
auction estimate was $1,000, to 1990). Another good example would be the Alice in
sold for $1,600 in 2018. Wonderland series (1973 to 1983) on which the mark
Right, Beswick 1981 Norman includes ALICE SERIES “Queen of Hearts” Beswick rearing Lipizzaner Horse
Thelwell Pony figurine BESWICK England followed by a Royal Doulton with rider 2467, $400 online
designed by Harry Sales and
model by David Lyttleton, copyright. Early Beatrix Potter stamps are similar to look at and include the F, Warne
1981-89, sells online for $65 & Co Ltd. copyright laws notice. Some but not all are dated, as well.

Here are some helpful resources and additional reads for more information:
https://irwinblackbu1230.skyrock.com/3067263253-Collecting-Beswick-Horses.html
https://www.carters.com.au/index.cfm/index/9917-beswick-england-figurines-horses/
https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/guides/collecting-guides/beswick/

28 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles