The Beatrix Potter characters

Beswick began making Beatrix Potter figures in 1947. The initial series, introduced in 1948 consisted of 10 characters including Peter Rabbit and Jemimma Puddleduck which were modeled by Arthur Gredington.
These figurines were marked with the Beswick gold backstamp and are highly prized by collectors. The range has since increased and prices for the Beatrix Potter characters vary from as little as £30 for a 1970's or 80's Tom Kitten to a £1000 or more! for figures such as the black dog known as 'Duchess with Flowers'.
The key to the value of the character is the production period and the character, with the earlier and limited run characters fetching the most money. With most characters being produced over a long period its easy to build up a collection with figures costing less than £50 to £100 each.
Car boot sales, collectors fairs, junk shops and ebay are all great sources for finding that bargain.

The Markings

Beswick Beatrix Potter figurines can be dated to a period by the colour, shape and lettering on the backstamp which is printed on the base of the figurine. There are many different marks, so its always best to consult a reference guide as it can be confusing.

A further clue to the age of the character lies in the colour of the clothing. Early figures are darker in colour owing to the lead used in the paint. A pre 1980's Peter Rabbit for example will have a deeper blue coat and can be worth £70-£90, whilst a figure made after lead paint was banned in the 80's will have a lighter coloured coat and can be worth only £30.

The latest Beatrix Potter characters for sale can been seen here