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Toby and Character Jugs - Popular for Generations
Popular for more than 200 years, in the 20th century they enjoyed renewed surge of interest with the introduction of character jugs made by one of the best known ceramics makers - Royal Doulton.
Many people collect them just because they like them without worrying whether they will increase in value but, buy with care, and you might find they have been a good investment.
Contents
- The History of Toby Jugs
- A Traditional Toby Jug
- Top Tip
- Dating Toby Jugs
- Photo Gallery of Toby Jugs
- Toby Jugs on eBay
- A 1970s Royal Doulton Toby Jug
- Character Jugs and Royal Doulton
- Advice for New Collectors
- Character Jugs on eBay
- Royal Doulton: Highwayman and Sam Weller
- Photo Gallery of Character Jugs
- Did You Know?
- Photo Gallery Two of Character Jugs
- More collectibles
- Like This Lens?
- What do you think of Toby Jugs?
- Stazjia's Social Networks
The History of Toby Jugs
Although the first Toby jug was made in the 18th century, their origins go back two hundred years to the German jugs in the shape of bears and then the later Staffordshire owl jugs. There is no agreement about how they received their name. Some people say it is based on Shakespeare's Sir Toby Belch but the majority of experts agree the most likely source is Toby Fillpot (or Philpot), a legendary drinker whose real name was Henry Elwes, reputed to have drunk two thousand gallons of strong ale.The first known Toby jug was made in the late 18th century in the form of a seated man, wearing an 18th century tricorn hat, a white stock around his neck and the long coat, knee breeches and buckled shoes, typical of 18th century dress. The figure usually holds a tankard. This was followed by figures of a drunken parson, a convict, a miner with a blackened face and other recognisable stereotypical figures.
The father and son potters, both called Ralph Wood, of Staffordshire are credited with producing the first Toby jugs. These pieces were quite unlike the vividly coloured ones we see today. Their colours were drab blues, browns, yellows and greys.
Toby jugs increased in popularity and, during the 18th and 19th centuries, were manufactured by many potteries. The range of characters increased and included national and regional personalities. By the 19th century, many English and European companies were reproducing the original 18th centuries figures but in much brighter colours. During the 19th century, Toby jugs were made by European factories in both pottery and porcelain but these pieces often have no identifying marks.
*Picture copyright Thrift Store Addict used under the Creative Commons License
Books about Toby Jugs
Toby & Character Jugs of the 20th Century and Their Makers
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009) 
Toby & Character Jugs (Colour album)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
A Century of Royal Doulton Character & Toby Jugs
Amazon Price: $78.75 (as of 07/05/2009)
Collecting Royal Doulton Character and Toby Jugs, 1934-1989 (Doulton Collectables Series)
Amazon Price: $29.67 (as of 07/05/2009)
Character and Toby Jugs Book No. 5
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
A Traditional Toby Jug
Top Tip
Repairs to Toby or character jugs usually feel rough or you can feel that one area is slightly raised where it has been repaired.
Dating Toby Jugs
Because many of the early figures used in Toby jugs have been produced almost continuously, dating them can be difficult, especially for the new collector. The signs of a very early example include a subdued palette of colours, the centre of the tricorn hat is a removable lid and an impressed mark 'Ra WOOD BURSLEM'. Of course, none of these will guarantee that a piece is early or made by either the father or son, Ralph Wood.
Eleven Wilkinson Toby Jugs
Designed by Sir F Carruthers-Gould (1844-1925)Giclee Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
Photo Gallery of Toby Jugs
Collecting toby jugs for 50 years,,, each one,is special,,,, this one shows a...
Musical toby jug - It plays 'There Is A Tavern In The Town' when you lift it up.
SINCE THE MID 1700s DRINKING POTS SUCH AS THIS,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Produced In...
Photo taken in 1970 at the Royal Central African Museum, Tervuren, Belgium. The...
Toby Jugs on eBay
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A 1970s Royal Doulton Toby Jug
Character Jugs and Royal Doulton
In 1815 Doulton began making Toby jugs still using subdued colours. Just over one hundred years later, one of Doulton's designers, Charles Noke, revamped the traditional design. Instead of a seated figure, his Toby jugs featured just the head and shoulders of the figure. These 'character' jugs, as they are called, were launched in 1934 with John Barleycorn who symbolised whisky.This piece was such a huge success that other figures were quickly added. These included Sairey Gamp, Dick Turpin and John Peel (the historic fox hunting man, not the DJ).
Louis Armstrong Character Jug
from Royal Doulton
Current Royal Doulton character jugs include a Woman of the Territorial Army to celebrate the part they played in the Second World War. The handle on this jug features a glove, hammer and spanner. This is a limited edition of 250 and retails at £65. Last year, to celebrate the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar, the company made a jug of Lord Nelson. This handle incorporated the bow of HMS Victory, the White Ensign flag and a cannon. The sale of this model from Royal Doulton was time limited to 2005 and sold for £150.
Royal Doulton Backstamp on Character Jug - Note Limited Edition Number
Advice for New Collectors
Set of 3 Sairey Gamp Royal Doulton Character Jugs
You could collect sets of jugs like this, or specialise in one size of each.
There are some basic points new collectors should check before buying. One UK dealer in Toby and character jugs advises buyers to look for hairline cracks. He says, "Hairline cracks can be difficult to spot so you need to look at the piece in a good light. You also need to check for repairs especially along the rim and the handle. Additionally, beware of seconds. On these, the centre of the Royal Doulton backstamp has been drilled out. These are not of great value in comparison to a first quality item of the same jug."
He also suggest that you should concentrate on a subject area that interests you otherwise your collection can quite quickly get out of hand because there are so many different versions of character jugs available. There are a number of series such as American Presidents and Characters from Literature. Many of these are available in different sizes so you can choose to collect one particular size or focus on collecting the items that are available in different sizes.
He also makes the point that catalogue prices can be inaccurate when deciding if you have found a bargain. Auction websites have driven down prices considerably but you do take the risk that the item may not be quite what it seems.
With care, collecting Toby and character jugs can be a colourful and rewarding hobby and your collection might eventually increase in value if you buy wisely.
Character Jugs on eBay
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Royal Doulton: Highwayman and Sam Weller
Photo Gallery of Character Jugs
Back when I first started to collect pottery, I picked up quite a few Toby jugs ...
One of a collection sailing the high seas no radar no tom tom ...
In New Zealand, mugs and cups are unknown; everything from coffee to vodka is dr...
Chelsea Pensioner - Toby Jug Audley Pottery
Spotlight on Royal Doulton Character Jug Fife Player
Royal Doulton Character Jug Fife Player Staffordshire
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
This character jug was the International Collectors Club Exclusive for 2006. It is 5.5 ins high and it comes in its original box with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Did You Know?
In 1984 Royal Doulton made a character jug of Clark Gable and shipped 2000 copies to the USA. The image wasn't approved by his estate so unsold ones were recalled and destroyed. The few that escaped destruction are now worth more than £2000 each.
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Toby Jugs on eBay
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What do you think of Toby Jugs?
CollectorsCottage wrote...
Great lens, wonderful information! I'm happy to add it to the Collector Clubs group!
Posted August 20, 2008
The_Homeopath wrote...
What sweet memories this lens has brought me. My grandmother collected Toby mugs and when I built a dollhouse for my mother, I found 2 perfect 1/12 scale artisan mugs to put in it. Wonderful, wonderful lens. Thank you.
Posted August 07, 2008
by Stazjia
I am English and I've spent the last 11 years writing freelance for UK magazines, a couple of books and online. More on my Lensography.
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