Royal Doulton Antiques
Antiques & Collectibles

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Royal Doulton Backstamps - Marks

Identification by the use of Backstamps provides useful, if not 
important data to the serious collector. The following Backstamps 
provide a useful resource when identifying Royal Doulton items.


Many questions exist about the old Doulton marks from the 1800's.The Doulton Lambeth
mark was used since the 1850's. After company expansion in 1877, the factory that produced
the item was added; Lambeth or Burslem, depending on where the item was made.
The Coronet was added at the Burslem factory in 1866. Due to the export laws, the
word "England" was added in 1891. 
The Doulton company was awarded a Royal Warrent in 1902 and the word "Royal" was 
added. The Royal Doulton mark has been used since 1902 and is still in production today. 

In 1912-13, Charles Noke launched a new group of Royal Doulton figures. The first 
figure was named "Darling", HN1, in honor of Queen Mary who visited the factory
and proclaimed "isn't he darling". 
Beginning in 1913, a HN number was used on all wares. This HN number refers to 
artist/designer Harry Nixon of Royal Doulton. Harry Nixon was an artist in charge 
of painting the figures. Other artists included John Sparkes, George Tinsworth, 
Arthur Barlow, and Agnete Hoy among others. The HN numbers were chronological 
until 1940, after which time blocks of numbers were assigned to each modeler of figures. 
From 1928 to 1954, a small number was placed to the right of the crown's mark on all items
 made between those years. This number (the one at the right of the crown's mark) when 
added to the year 1927 will give you the year of manufacture of a particular piece. 

Valuation:
The pieces with a limited production run, those signed by an artist, or those pieces 
marked "Potted" (indicating a pre-1939 origin) are highly collectible and perceived to 
be more valuable than other pieces of Royal Doulton. Wares made after 1920 were marked 
with a lion (with or without a crown accompanying the lion) over a circular Royal Doulton 
mark. 

Royal Doulton Crazy Backstamps

Possibly an Artist's mark?
On the bottom of this Hunt series ware pitcher
Submittted by Pete