Question: Please tell me what's in THE MARCH HARE's Hutch?

Answer: THE MARCH HARE offers Royal Doulton Character and Toby Jugs, from England, made from the 1930's through the 1990's.

Question: What is the difference between a 'Toby Jug' and a 'Character Jug'?

Answer: A 'Toby Jug' is a jug or pitcher, most usually in the form of a seated--but occasionally standing--full-body figure. In our collection, see the 'Winston Churchill' and 'Cliff Cornell' items as examples of 'Toby Jugs.'

A 'Character Jug' is a jug or pitcher in the form of a head and shoulders only. Except for the 'Winston Churchill' and 'Cliff Cornell' pieces--and the Derivatives based on the Character Jugs--all other items in THE MARCH HARE's collection are 'Character Jugs.'

Question: When did Royal Doulton start producing Character Jugs?

Answer: The first Doulton Character Jug, 'John Barleycorn,' was designed by Charles Noke, and issued in the Large size, in 1934. 'Old Charley,' also in the Large size, was issued in the same year. These were followed in 1935 by (here in alphabetical order, since we don't know when each was issued during that year) 'Dick Turpin,' 'Granny,' 'Parson Brown,' 'Sairey Gamp' and 'Simon the Cellarer.'

During the rest of the 1930's, while Britain was already at war, another 16 characters were created, including the most desirable--'Mephistopheles'--the first ever of the two-faced jugs, issued in 1937.

Question: How many different Royal Doulton Character Jugs are available today?

Answer: Since the first Character Jug was created, in 1934, over 300 different designs have been produced. These include some Characters for which more than one jug was made. For example, there are three different jugs featuring Winston Churchill, and more than one King Henry VIII.

In addition to the different Characters, the available number of jugs is arrived at by totaling the number of sizes available for each Character, and adding the 'Derivatives' offered for some of them. (See FAQ's below for description and explanation of Character Jug sizes, and of Derivatives.)

Question: Will you please explain the Character Jug sizes?

Answer: Royal Doulton Character Jugs have been made in a variety of different sizes. We list our stock according to Doulton's designation, and show the height measurement with the item listing.

The common designations are:

Extra Large.....6-1/2"
Large.............5-1/2" - 7-1/4"
Mid Size..........4-1/4" - 4-1/2"
Small.............3-1/4" - 3-3/4"
Mini................2-1/4" - 2-1/2"
Tiny...............1-1/4" - 1-3/4"

The Extra Large and Mid sizes are mostly found only in Jugs produced during the 1930's, such as 'Tony Weller' (XLG) and 'Mr. Pickwick' (MID). You'll notice that the height of the Extra Large size is between the tallest and shortest of the Large Jugs, but its diameter is a great deal wider. Some early 5-1/2" Jugs were designated as 'Large' and the 4-1/4" - 4-1/2" 'Sir Henry Doulton' and 'Michael Doulton' Jugs are designated as 'Small.'

To really confuse the issue, ETC (English Translucent China) Jugs are approximately 1/2" shorter than the same Jugs in EW (White Earthenware). (See the FAQ below for descriptions of 'ETC' & 'EW.')

Question: What do the terms 'EW' and 'ETC' mean, and how do they affect value?

Answer: 'EW' refers to White Earthenware, the material of which by far the largest number of Royal Doulton Character Jugs were made. 'ETC' refers to English Translucent China, which was used in the few years from 1968 to 1973.

If you compare one each of the same jug--in the two different materials--you may find slight differences in detail, since the jugs had to be remodeled for those that were made in ETC. The most visible difference is that the Earthenware jugs are approximately a half inch taller than the same Characters molded of ETC.

Until recent years, there was no notable difference in values between the two types, but currently the ETC jugs typically sell for a premium over the identical Characters in EW.

To identify an ETC jug, you should first look it up in the 'Standard Guide to Character Jugs' by Jean Dale, from The Charlton Press, to see if the item was actually produced in that material. Comparing two jugs of the same Character--and nominally the same size--if one is clearly smaller than another, the smaller one could be ETC. Also, in a darkened room (a closet will do) shine a lighted flashlight up from below the bottom of the jug: the fact that you may see light through the bottom doesn't always mean the piece is ETC, but if it does NOT show through it isn't ETC.

At THE MARCH HARE, if you don't see 'ETC' in the description of a Jug, expect it to be Earthenware. If you would like to find a specific item in ETC, let us know; we gave up trying to identify everything, or we would have never gotten the website off the ground!

Question: What are 'Derivatives?'

Answer: 'Derivatives' describes items--other than Character Jugs--based on real and fictional figures that were subjects for Royal Doulton Character Jugs. These include: Ash Bowls (or Ash Pots), Ash Trays, Musical Jugs, Sugar Bowls, Table Lighters, Teapots, Toothpick Holders, Liqueur Bottles, etc.

The Character with the largest number of Derivatives is 'Old Charley.' More Table Lighters were offered than any other Derivative; for the period during which they were produced, it isn't surprising that so many smoking-related items were made.

For an interesting angle on collecting, try accumulating as many of the Derivatives for a Character as possible, in addition to all the sizes available for that Character.

Question: Can you explain the basis of the 'list' prices you quote?

Answer: We currently use the 'Charlton Standard Catalogue of Royal Doulton Character Jugs, vol. 8,' by Jean Dale, published by The Charlton Press. It's an excellent resource, highly recommended for the reference library of anyone who owns or is interested in collecting Royal Doulton Character Jugs. We refer to their pricing, interchangeably, as the 'list' or 'book' price.

We price our Jugs at 20% off the 'list' or 'book' prices, and both figures are shown in our listings. For our pricing on combinations or 'sets' of Jugs, please refer to our FAQ on that subject.

Question: Do I get a price break if I buy a 'set' of Jugs?

Answer: Yes, you do.

Here's how we define a 'set' and here's how we would price them:

Some Jugs were only made in only one size. There would be no additional price break over the 20% off 'list' or 'book' for purchase of those items.

Other Jugs were only made in two sizes. If both are purchased together, the price (not counting shipping, insurance and sales taxes if applicable) would be the combined total of the 'list' or 'book' price for the two Jugs, less 25%.

Most Character Jugs were made in three or more sizes, and some of those were made as Jugs in four sizes, and as Derivatives--Table Lighters, Ash Pots, etc.--in addition. If at least three of these are purchased together, in any combination of Jugs and/or Derivatives, the pricing would be calculated the same way as a set of two. That is, the price (not counting shipping, insurance and applicable sales taxes) would be the combined total 'book' or 'list' prices of the items purchased, less 25%.

Finally, if your preference is for collecting different jugs of one size--such as all Tinies--we would also apply the 'set' pricing to a group of three or more purchased together.

Since we will have to do the calculations for such purchases offline, please email us with your interest, so we can give you a quote.