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A Guide to Wade Pottery Markings

Debbie Porter

Since the conception of the first Wade Whimsie in 1954, Wade pottery became an affordable genre of collectables and remains popular to this day. 

At Potteries Auctions we auction and sell pottery from all over the world, but we also pride ourselves on selling quality pottery made right in the home of the potteries ­– Staffordshire. This includes Wade ceramic and pottery pieces.

If you’re looking to sell your Wade pottery, or enquire aboutvaluations of Wade pottery, our experts are here to help. We’ve also created this markings guide to allow you to identify dates and makers marks on your Wade pottery.

Why is Wade Pottery Famous?

Wade Ceramics was founded in 1810 and specialises in porcelain and earthenware, featuring a unique style is well-known and well-loved. Its products include animal figures and industrial ceramics but is notably most famous for its collection of Wade Whimsies.

A collection of Wade Pottery ceramic lady figures

First developed by Sir George Wade in the 1950s, these small solid porcelain figurines soon became extremely popular in the UK and in the United States. The delightful figures were often designed as collections of animals, famous characters, or cellulose figures, such as the stunning Wade Walt Disney figures and the unmistakable Wade Tetley Tea figures.

The Wade Whimsies were introduced as a temporary marketing strategy, yet their popularity took off, making them a signature collectable range. 

The Wade Gluggle jugs are also extremely popular and collectable. The infamous fish shaped jug makes a fun and irresistible centerpiece as the ‘glugging’ sound brings a sense of entertainment when liquid is poured from the jug.

Is Wade Pottery Valuable?

With such a range of products and collectables, it can be hard to know how much your Wade pottery pieces are potentially worth.

A rare Wade cellulose clock Walt Disney Whimsie of Bashful from Snow White

Rare figures, such as this cellulose clock Walt Disney Whimsie of Bashful from Snow White, can sell for wonderful prices of up to £780 at auction.

However, some of the earlier Wade pieces from the 1950s and 1960s are even more valuable.

How Can I Tell If My Wade Pottery Is Collectable?

Wade pottery markings are identified based on the year the item was produced and in which factory. Depending on the condition of the pottery piece and the year it was made, the value and the collectability of the piece will be reflected in the price.

The following markings on your pottery will let you know it is an authentic Wade piece. Wade ceramics and potteries has had an iteration of trading names, and therefore backstamps and markings, due to its exciting history.

  • Wade & Co., Union Pottery (1887-1927)
  • George Wade & Son Ltd., Manchester Pottery (1922-1927)
  • Wade Heath & Co., (Ltd.) (1927-1953)
  • Wade (Ulster) Ltd., Ulster Pottery (1953-1990)
  • Wade Ceramics Limited (1990-today)

Wade Backstamps and Markings from 1887 to 1927

A Wade pottery backstamp that reads
A Wade pottery backstamp that features the word

Photo Credit: The Wade Collector’s Handbook.

Wade Markings and Backstamps

A Wade pottery backstamp that reads

Wade figures markings printed c1936

A Wade pottery backstamp featuring the silouette of a leaping stag above the handwritten words

Wade Stag mark, with Made in England from c1936.

A Wade pottery backstamp that simply features the words

This marking was used from c1940s.

A Wade pottery backstamp that features the back of an owl in front of a large triangle, with

This marking was used from c1947 it has a trademark owl.

A Wade pottery mark that reads

Wade England marking use c1945 into 1950s.

A Wade pottery text mark that simply reads

Wade England marking used c1947 to 1953.

A Wade pottery text mark that simply reads

Wade England marking c1945 to 1950s.

A Wade pottery mark that reads

Wade ‘HARVEST’ mark from c1947 to c1955.

This Wade pottery mark features a small cartoon duck and reads

This marking was to mark Robert Barlow’s work from c1947 to 1950.

A Wade pottery text mark that reads

The Bramble mark was from c1950 to 1955.

A Wade pottery mark that reads 'WADE

This marking was transfer printed and used in c1953.

A Wade pottery mark that reads

This ‘CAMBRIDGE’ marking was used c1950s and 1960s.

A Wade pottery mark that resembles a rubber stamp and reads

The Wade Golden Turquoise Mark was used in c1950s.

A Wade pottery mark that resembles a rubber stamp and reads

The Wade Golden Mark was used in c1950s.

A Wade pottery mark that features the image of a lion and reads

This marking is the Wade Heath mark, used c1934.

A Wade pottery mark that features the image of a lion and reads

The Wade Heath England lion mark was used c1927.

A Wade pottery mark that reads

The Wade Heath Orcadia marks were used in c1934.

A Wade pottery mark that features the text

The Wade Heath Flaxman ware marks were used c1936.

A Wade pottery mark that reads

The Wade Walt Disney on Whimsies figures was used c1936.

A Wade pottery mark that reads

The Wade Heath mark was used on Flaxman pottery c1939.

Two images of Wade pottery marks that both read

These Wade marks were used c1938 to 1950.

A Wade pottery mark that reads

The Wade Heath marks from c1942 to the late 1940s looked like this.

A Wade pottery mark that reads

Wade Heath mark c1945.

Two images of Wade pottery marks that both read

These markings were used on Flaxman pottery from c1937 to c1939, however at times the Flaxman can be missing.

Two images of Wade pottery marks. The first reads '

Wade Heath gothic marks c1930 to 1954, some have ‘GOTHIC’ at the top, some at the bottom.

A Wade pottery mark that reads

Wade heath hand painted made in England marks used from c1953.

A Wade pottery mark that reads

 This marking shows the Wade Royal Victoria pottery marks c1953.

Four Wade pottery marks. The first reads

These markings show the Wade (Ulster) Ltd markings used from 1953 onwards in the Irish Portadown factory.

Photo Credit: Antique Marks.

How to Sell Wade Ceramics and Pottery

If you are looking to buy or sell Wade pottery, Wade collectables, Wade Gluggle jugs or Wade Whimsies figurines, our team of experts at Potteries Auctions can help. Request a call back if you are looking for an expert evaluation and are seeking to sell some Wade Whimsies at auction or send us an email. We specialise in collecting and shipping worldwide, so please get in touch with usto discuss how we can help you.