The eighth edition of Royal Doulton Jugs by Jean Dale was released in November 2004.
The new edition has 520 pages plus 32 pages of new colour plates, divided into four sections throughout the guide. Pricing which in one of the more important segments of the catalogue has firmed over those in the 7th edition. Across the board, prices have increased 5 to 10%.
Among the new additions to the 8th edition are eight candle snuffers based on the original Doultonville Toby Jug collection which was introduced in 1983.
New additions to the Character Jug section include Oliver Twist, the Character Jug of the Year for 2004, and the North Staffordshire Drummer Boy, one of the ICC complimentary gifts offered for 2005; also four new character jugs depicting characters from the World War II era, the Air Raid Precaution Warden, the Womans Auxiliary Air Force, the Womans Land Army, and Home Guard.
Commissioned character jugs are once again playing an important role in the new issue market. Pascoe and Company and UKI Ceramcis between them have nine new jugs to offer the collector for the year 2005, with low edition numbers, a promising move for the jug collector who previously faced edition numbers in the thousands.
In the pricing of collectables, eBay has become one of the driving forces. However, one thing must be remembered and that is eBay is an auction house where dealers and collectors alike compete on the same level. As a result auction prices must be considered wholesale prices, not retail prices. Expect to see differences in prices between these two levels, but thinks about them, and remember the factors the differentiate them.
The eighth edition of Royal Doulton Jugs may be purchased from your local Doulton dealer, book stores, on-line book stores such as Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, or directly from the Charlton Press.
