Sam Holmes, Toy Valuer at Potteries Auctions, shares the latest insights on Britain’s booming toy industry Sam Holmes, Toy Valuer and Auctioneer at Potteries Auctions Q: Let’s start with the basics, just how big is the UK toy market? We’re talking about a £3.3 billion industry here, which makes it one of Europe’s heavyweights. To …
November Tea Set Spotlight Whether you’ve inherited a well-loved family tea set or want to replace your Wedgwood Florentine turquoise pieces with some of their new, brighter coloured takes on the classic set, there’s significant value to be found. With a heritage spanning over 150 years, Wedgwood’s iconic Florentine pattern remains high in demand in …
For decades, a remarkable collection lay behind the doors of a moorland home in West Yorkshire. While Philip and Sarah Read were known locally for their prize-winning sheep, few knew about their other passion: one of the most extensive private collections of Border Fine Arts in the country. Now, following Philip’s recent death, their extraordinary …
With gold prices at unprecedented heights, many collectors and investors wonder: Should I sell gold coins now? If you inherited sovereigns or have pieces tucked away, understanding where and when to sell gold coins makes a significant financial difference. Why now is the time to sell gold coins The full gold sovereign dated 1904 on …
Wedgwood John Skeaping terracotta Jasperware trial Duiker deer by Norman Wilson, sold for £440 Norman Wilson may not be a household name, but his four-decade career at Wedgwood left a distinctive mark on 20th-century British ceramics. As Works Manager and later Joint Managing Director, Norman Wilson developed the iconic Moonstone and Ravenstone glazes that defined …
Finally settled: What those signature colours actually mean, straight from the artist herself Lorna with one of her Rat Catchers, a limited edition 1 of 3 which sold for £110 in March 2025 For years, Lorna Bailey collectors have debated the significance behind the different coloured signatures adorning the bases of their treasured pieces. Black, …
October 2025 Tea Set Spotlight Whether you’ve inherited a family tea set or discovered Old Country Roses pieces in your cupboard, there’s significant value to be found. As the world’s best-selling fine china pattern for over 60 years, Royal Albert’s Old Country Roses remains highly sought after in auction houses and secondhand markets. Royal Albert, …
When we sat down with Lorna Reeves, editor of TeaTime Magazine, to discuss our inaugural Tea Set of the Month, the iconic Royal Albert Old Country Roses, we expected enthusiasm. What we got was a masterclass in why this particular pattern has captured hearts for generations. A design that defied the decades Old Country Roses …
For Swarovski and Disney enthusiasts alike, no partnership could have been more dazzling than the collaboration between these two brands. This year marks a significant milestone as the two companies celebrate 20 years of transforming beloved characters into gorgeous crystal masterpieces. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovering these enchanting pieces, understanding the history …
Michael Sutty (1937-2003) established himself as Britain’s foremost sculptor of military porcelain figures during his four-decade career. Working primarily from the 1960s until his death, Sutty developed techniques for creating bone china figures of exceptional complexity. Established Stoke-on-Trent manufacturers initially considered them impossible to produce commercially. Background and Technique Sutty was largely self-taught. He developed …
When it comes to the golden age of Royal Doulton artistry, one name held in great esteem is Leslie Johnson. Active during the early 1900s through the 1920s, Johnson carved out a distinctive niche as one of Royal Doulton’s accomplished portrait artists, creating pottery pieces that continue to captivate collectors nearly a century later. Leslie …
Lorna Bailey’s distinctive cat figurines represent a quirky, pop culture-inspired moment in contemporary British ceramics. These vibrant, Art Deco-style works have captured the attention of collectors worldwide, with values that continue to appreciate following Bailey’s retirement from pottery production in 2008. A complete set of Lorna Bailey ’Catman and Bobbin’, sold for £380 Understanding the …
With gold prices reaching historic highs, now is the perfect time to sell gold coins from your collection. Potteries Auctions is offering a limited-time 0% commission deal on gold coins, which means you keep 100% of the hammer price at auction. Why Sell Gold Coins Now? Whether you want to sell gold coins like a …
How two small crystal figures inspired a grandmother to quit smoking and create one of the most valuable single-owner Swarovski collections ever to reach the market. Swarovski Crystal Elegance of Africa 2023, Cheetah Mehira 5636241 in clear bronze tone colour, estimated at £200 – £400 What started with a toddler’s innocent play session became a …
Amber bead necklaces are one of the most enduring forms of personal adornment, with values ranging from modest sums for contemporary pieces to thousands of pounds for exceptional antique Baltic amber specimens. For collectors and those considering consigning amber jewellery, understanding the factors that determine an amber bead necklace’s worth is essential. Authenticity, provenance, …
In 1916, while the world was gripped by war, a Yorkshire doctor’s daughter named Daisy Makeig-Jones was creating fantasy worlds filled with dancing elves and mystical creatures. Her Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre pieces now command £800 to £50,000+ at auction, making them among the most sought-after ceramics of the 20th century. A Wedgwood Flame Fairyland lustre …
Old records have skyrocketed in value as the vinyl revival transforms the UK music landscape. 2024 marked the first increase in physical sales for 20 years, with vinyl sales jumping 9.1% to 6.7 million units, reaching a three-decade high. This surge isn’t mere nostalgia. Genuine demand from collectors, audiophiles, and younger generations drives the market …
Selection of unboxed Hornby OO Gauge British Rail Diesel Locomotives from 1980’s, sold for £110 at auction From Liverpool Clerk to Global Icon Hornby Hobbies Ltd began with Frank Hornby (1863-1936). A Liverpool shipping clerk who started making toys for his sons from sheet metal in 1899. Without formal engineering training, Hornby invented three iconic …
Potteries Auctions is delighted to bring a collection of works by Arthur Holland, a renowned Minton artist, to auction. The collection was consigned by the grandchildren of Holland. Arthur Holland’s youngest son had three children, Catherine, Thomas, and Mary. They lived near their grandfather in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent, in the 1970s. Each inherited his hand-painted china …
An example of 1970s era Superfast Matchbox cars sold for £360 at auction A mainstay of diecast toys for decades, Matchbox cars remain a household name to this day. Their robust construction and compact size meant they were always a popular choice for kids – and nowadays, they also garner attention from avid collectors. Whether …
Did you know that Queen Victoria survived eight assasination attempts during her reign? And if that wasn’t enough, being versed in five languages, a monarch at only 18, and having proposed to her own husband is sure to ruffle the feathers of any ‘Rennaisance’ man of her time. Robert Physick (1815–1880), Marble shoulder bust of …
Cecil Aldin, pictured with one of his dogs. (credit: www.mediastorehouse.com) Our March 2025 Rare Ceramics, Jewellery & Collectables auction will feature a large collection of the work of renowned artist and book illustrator Cecil Aldin, comprising numerous prints, illustrated books and more. Early Life Born in 1870 in Slough, Aldin began drawing at an early …
Our upcoming March 2025 Fine Art auction is just around the corner, and we’re excited to be offering a fantastic array of rare ceramics, watches, collectables, art and much more. From cigars, Rolexes and paintings, to Moorcroft, Royal Worcester and Isabella Pope studio pottery, this is undoubtedly an auction you won’t want to miss! Here’s …
Eric Ravilious, born in 1903, was a celebrated British watercolour painter, illustrator, mural artist, and engraver. His works captured the essence of mid-20th-century British life, and Eric Ravilious Wedgwood pieces remain highly coveted by collectors. As one of the most distinguished artists to work with the iconic pottery manufacturer, Eric Ravilious Wedgwood pieces are consistently …
Minton Pate-sur-Pate Demitasse Cup & Saucer, Pattern H5103: Sold for £240 Minton Pottery, established in 1793 in Stoke-on-Trent, is a name that echoes through the world of ceramics. Though the company is no longer in production, its wares continue to make appearances at auctions and in antiques shops across the country. If you’ve come across …
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