A rare Beswick Shire Horse 818 sold for a remarkable £11,300 at Potteries Auctions, making it one of the most valuable Beswick horse figures ever sold at auction in the UK. For collectors researching rare Beswick models and prices, this sale highlights how valuable uncommon colourways, limited production examples and desirable provenance can be in today’s market. If you are new to collecting, you may also enjoy our guide: Which Beswick Horses Sell Well at Auction?
At Potteries Auctions, we have been selling Beswick horses for over 25 years and have handled some of the highest-value examples to come to market. In this guide, we explore what makes a Beswick horse rare, which models collectors compete for, and the auction prices achieved for exceptional examples.
Why Was This Beswick Shire Horse So Valuable?
The figure was a rare variation of the famous Beswick Shire Horse Mare model 818, originally designed by Arthur Gredington in 1940.
Standard versions of the Beswick 818 Shire Horse are relatively common and often sell for between £20 and £80 depending on condition, colourway and backstamp. However, this particular example featured an exceptionally rare finish believed to have been difficult and time-consuming to produce.
Because these colourways were more expensive to manufacture, relatively few were sold originally. While the exact production numbers are unknown, collectors believe only a very small number may exist today.
Rare colourways, factory variations and limited production runs are some of the biggest drivers behind high Beswick horse values.
For more information about identifying valuable Beswick pieces, see our: Beswick Pottery Markings Guide.
What Are the Most Valuable Beswick Horses?
Collectors are often surprised by how valuable rare Beswick horses can become at auction. While many standard figures remain affordable, the rarest examples regularly achieve four-figure sums.
Some of the most sought-after Beswick horses include:
- Beswick Shire Horse 818 rare colourways
- Spirit of Whitfield
- Connoisseur models
- Palomino gloss horses
- Early matte finish examples
- Limited edition Beswick racehorses
- Colin Melbourne Beswick designs
Many collectors specifically search for unusual glaze finishes, discontinued colourways and pristine boxed examples.
If you would like to explore some of the rarest examples ever sold, read: Top 10 Most Valuable Beswick Horses Ever Sold. Or you may also enjoy: Rare Beswick Horses – The Most Sought-After Models & Colourways Explained
Beswick Horses Price Guide
Beswick horse values can vary significantly depending on rarity, condition and demand among collectors.
|
Beswick Model |
Typical Auction Value |
|---|---|
|
Standard Beswick Shire Horse |
£20–£80 |
|
Rare gloss colourways |
£200–£2,000+ |
|
Spirit of Whitfield |
£5,000+ |
|
Rare Beswick 818 variants |
£1,000–£11,000+ |
|
Early matte horses |
£100–£500+ |
Values can also increase dramatically for pieces with:
- Original boxes
- Provenance
- Rare factory marks
- Limited production runs
- Exceptional condition
If you are researching the value of your own collection, our guide: Beswick Pottery Figurines Value Guide – Horses, Animals & Prices which explains which Beswick figurines regularly perform strongly at auction.
Get a Free Auction Estimate for Your Beswick Collection
The Guy Heath Collection
Pieces like these discussed here can currently be found in The Guy Heath Collection, one of the most important Beswick collections ever to come to auction.
Potteries Auctions are excited to begin offering selections from this incredible collection, with the first auctions commencing in July, September and November this year, and continuing periodically over the next few years.
Join our newsletter to be the first to hear about upcoming lots from The Guy Heath Collection
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Our own previous best price for a Beswick 818 Shire was a Strawberry Roan colourway, which sold for £6,600 back in June 2017.
To check out some other Beswick Shire horse figures from previous sales which have also fetched a good price at auction, why not give our blog “Is My Beswick Shire Horse Valuable?” a read?
How to Identify Rare Beswick Horses
Many collectors wonder:
- Are Beswick horses valuable?
- How do I identify rare Beswick pottery?
- Which Beswick horses sell for the most money?
Some key things to look for include:
- Model numbers such as 818
- Rare colourways
- Gloss vs matte finishes
- Factory backstamps
- Limited editions
- Early production examples
- Designer names including Arthur Gredington and Colin Melbourne
Collectors researching designer history may also enjoy: Who Was Colin Melbourne? Beswick & Royal Doulton Auction
Selling Beswick Horses at Auction
Potteries Auctions are specialists in Beswick horses, Beswick pottery and ceramic collectables. Our experts provide free auction valuations using real sold prices and decades of experience handling rare Beswick models.
We can help identify:
- Rare Beswick horses
- Valuable Beswick pottery
- Limited edition Beswick figurines
- Animal figures and ceramic collectables
- Complete collections
We offer nationwide valuation and collection services throughout the UK, alongside specialist packing and shipping solutions for fragile ceramics.
If you are considering selling a Beswick horse or collection, our: Beswick Figurines & Collectables Auction Department which contains further information about upcoming auctions and expert valuations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Beswick Horses
Yes. Rare Beswick horses, unusual colourways and limited production figures can sell for hundreds or even thousands of pounds at auction.
Rare versions of the Beswick Shire Horse 818 and Spirit of Whitfield are among the most valuable Beswick horse models ever sold.
Check the model number on the underside alongside the Beswick backstamp and compare colourways against known rare examples.
Specialist ceramic and Beswick auction houses such as Potteries Auctions regularly sell Beswick horses to collectors in the UK and internationally.
Values vary significantly depending on rarity, condition and collector demand. Standard models may sell for £20–£80, while rare examples can achieve thousands.
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