The first set appeared in 1953, consisting of animal figures including the fawn, spaniel, horse, squirrel and poodle.
The miniature porcelain figurines were named Whimsies. The figurines sold as boxed sets and companies in Great Britain purchased them to help promote sales. Through the years Wade, which has had many name changes and operated from several locations, has made an array of ceramic products, including tableware, giftware and products for industry.īut by 1953, according to 'The World of Wade Whimsies' by Ian Warner and Mike Posgay, British Government orders for porcelain electrical insulators had dropped at some Wade potteries and the company had to look for other products to manufacture.Īccording to the books authors, Iris Lenora Carryer, ( daughter of George Albert Wade who helped run the family business), suggested that the company manufacture figurines as promotional items for other retail businesses. The figurines were manufactured by George Wade & Son Ltd, a British pottery firm that had begun life in Burslem, England in the nineteenth century. It was in the USA in 1983, when Red Rose Tea first introduced miniature Wade Whimsies porcelain figures as premium giveaways in boxes of tea.
So, here's that history with descriptions of all eight Wade Whimsies series issued by Red Rose Tea to date. The figurines were produced by the Wade pottery firm and keen Wade collectors, particularly Wade Whimsies collectors, should know and understand the history of these figurines. Since 1983 Red Rose Tea has included miniature figurines inside selected boxes of their tea. Many companies use freebies to boost sales. SERIES VII - the Nautical Wonderland Series, the eighth and current series, was introduced in 2012.SERIES VII - The Wade Red Rose Calendar series ( 2008 to 2012 ) was the seventh series.SERIES VI - Pet Shop Friends ( 2006 to 2008 ) was the sixth series.SERIES V - Noah's Ark was the fifth series.SERIES IV - Endangered North American Animals ( 19 ), was the fourth series.
It was in the USA in 1983, when Red Rose Tea first introduced miniature Wade Whimsies porcelain figures as premium giveaways in boxes of tea.Many companies use freebies to boost sales.