Any Royal Doulton collectors here?
Back in the 1980s I was looking for the “Robin Hood” figure used in 12 O’Clock High. I was convinced it was a Royal Doulton “toby” mug, but I couldn’t find it. Turned out, the mug in the movie was created by the studio as a prop. (As it happens, these “Robin Hood” tobies were re-created and I got a numbered one and an un-numbered one.)
Since I couldn’t find “Robin Hood”, I picked up an old “Highwayman” (Dick Turpin) Royal Doulton mug. It’s packed away, but IIRC it’s about 6" high (the large one; not the miniature one). The mask is down, and the handle is a rearing black horse. It’s in mint condition. I don’t know how old it is, but the tobacconist’s where I bought it got it from an estate sale.
I’m not a collector of such things, but I’m not getting rid of mine either. I’m curious though: What’s a mint-condition Royal Doulton mask-down large “Highwayman” mug worth?
A quick look on ebay’s completed auctions says anywhere from $19.95 to $35.95 USD.
There’s one that looks like mine. The reserve was not met. IIRC, I paid $85 or $90 for mine back in the '80s. The miniature ones were scarce, and the one or two in shops were about $200.
The seller on eBay says it was made in 1959. I had no idea it was that old.
I get a catalog from a place called Seaway (www.seawaychina.com) that lists retail prices. eBay prices are undoubtedly lower and also more reflective if what you could get if you were selling rather than buying. For instance, Seaway shows the retail price for large size Dick Turpin (horse handle) at $100, the mini-size for $60.
We’ve got over 30 of the large size mugs, about half a dozen small size. My mother in law has a dozen or so large sized. We don’t have the Highwayman.
C K Dexter Haven: Sounds as if demand was higher back in the '80s. That, or the Internet has made it easier for people to sell their collections and that has driven prices down.