Beatrix Potter and Beswick Studios

The John Beswick Studios produces animal ceramic figurines based on cartoon characters, and from July 1998 have once again begun producing the Beatrix Potter range of characters.

Collectors have always been attracted to Beswick due to the fun nature of many of the figurines, and the quality of the sculptures. There has always been interest in the Beatrix Potter range and the TV and cartoon character tie-ins are increasing the awareness in Beswick figurines.

The John Beswick Pottery was established in 1894 at Longton, Stoke-on-Trent. Initially producing tableware and ornaments, and only later in the 1930s turning to animal modelling, most notably for famous racehorses and champion dogs.

The studio became renowned as the leading producer for animal figures. It also created a range of whimsical figures of animals with human expressions and poses.

The Beatrix Potter Collection

In 1948 the company began producing characters from the Beatrix Potter story books.

It was John Beswick himself who first received the rights to reproduce the characters and 1997 marked the 50th year that Beswick and Royal Doulton have been producing Beatrix Potter figures.

The initial range produced in 1948 consisted of 10 figures. The first piece created by chief modeller Arthur Gredington was Jemima Puddle-Duck, which was released along with 9 other characters, including the ever popular Peter Rabbit.

These were an immediate success, and realising that animated characters could make excellent figures produced Zimmy the Lion (this was created by David Hand who worked on several Disney features such as Snow White and Bambi).

In 1952 Beswick began its Disney range with Mickey Mouse, and later in 1968 produced a series of Winnie the Pooh figures. These figures are extremely sort after today.

The Royal Doulton Group bought Beswick in 1969.

in June 2005 John Sinclair, a Yorkshire business man, purchased the Beswick brand, including production moulds and archive material, from Royal Doulton.

All Royal Doulton Beatrix Potter figurines have now been retired which should make them more valuable.