How to identify the maker of a Toby mug?
Many characters found in Fiction books are also represented, for example as inspired by stories by Charles Dickens. Identifying the maker requires researching any marks or backstamps, usually found on the underside of both Toby Mugs and Character Jugs. This also helps in determine age or manufacturing.
How tall are Toby mugs and Character Jugs?
Sizes varied over time, most common height is 5” – 7” with 3” – 4” being less popular. Some miniature Toby Mugs measuring 1 ¼” – 2 ½” were also made but none known after 1960. Practically all Character Jugs or Toby Mugs are marked appropriately by the company that made them, often also adding a Model or Size Number notation.
What are the names of the characters in Toby mugs?
Spellings of characters as noted on the actual Jugs are known to vary somewhat, depending on whether a Toby Mug was destined for the domestic UK market or for export to the US and Australia. For example, “Old Charley” is also known as “Old Charlie”, “Sancho Panza” as “Sancho Panca” etc.
Why are Toby mugs so popular at auction?
Character Jugs and Toby Mugs have remained to be popular collectibles and usually fetch good money at auction. The uniqueness of character and famous makers are valued the most, but in this case, there is also a subjective aspect relating to the buyer’s preferences in terms of the type of character they collect.
Where can I find Toby Gillette Character Jugs?
One of the rarest character jugs ever made, characterised a schoolboy Toby Gillette, who had his wish made true on the ‘Jim’ll Fix It’ programme. Only three copies were made. Two sold at Sotheby’s for £15,000 each the third is in the Royal Doulton Museum.
Sizes varied over time, most common height is 5” – 7” with 3” – 4” being less popular. Some miniature Toby Mugs measuring 1 ¼” – 2 ½” were also made but none known after 1960. Practically all Character Jugs or Toby Mugs are marked appropriately by the company that made them, often also adding a Model or Size Number notation.
Who was the creator of the Toby Jug?
The song ‘Brown Jug’ featured ‘Toby Fillpot’. Doulton had made Toby jugs in the traditional manner since 1815 but in the 1920’s Harry Simeon added colour. This inspired Charles Noke, a Doulton artist and modeller to rethink the Toby jug tradition.
Many characters found in Fiction books are also represented, for example as inspired by stories by Charles Dickens. Identifying the maker requires researching any marks or backstamps, usually found on the underside of both Toby Mugs and Character Jugs. This also helps in determine age or manufacturing.
