There are many events celebrated by many potters,  such as Royal weddings, military campaigns, when the Titanic sank etc.  These type pieces where made as souvenirs of important events in history and there appeal sets them apart from other fields of antiques.  Items differed, storage jars to complete dinner services, these were decorated with differing mottos and dates of periods in history. Many of these pieces can still be bought cheaply and is an area where the subject matter is of the greatest
importance.

Very popular subjects were the monarchy and royal occasions, Britain has produced more commemorative souvenirs than any other country in Europe.  Some of the oldest pieces being the blue and white Delftware chargers made at Lambeth and Bristol around the 17th and early 18th centuries these where decorated with naive portraits of Charles II, Queen Ann, George I and others. The items were made un small numbers, hand painted and are rare to find today.  They can sell at auction for several thousand pounds.

Now the industrial revolution happened and along with it came transfer printing, then souvenirs could be made cheaply and by the millions.  Pieces made to celebrate Victoria's accession to the throne in 1837 and her coronation a year later are now quite rare, and items made for her jubilees of 1887 and 1897 are quite common.  During the time when Edward VII was crowned in 1902, Royal Doulton alone produced approximately 1 million commemorative beakers, also thousands are prone to have survived.

Even the coronation of Edward VIII that never took place, items of commemorative ware was made for this are common because thousands of pieces where made before he abdicated.  The value of each piece will vary according to rarity.  An 1838 coronation mug can fetch £approximately £500.00, and one made for Victoria's golden jubilee is worth only approximately £30.00 because there were so many made.

All major manufacturers, include Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, Crown Derby, Minton, Spode, Coalport  and Royal Worcester but the majority of these potters where not well know and unmarked, but this does not matter  because the flatback royal figures and groups made during the 1850s  and 60s are very collectable today, and can fetch approximately £250.00.

The value and quality of souvenirs can vary greatly as well as their value, there were Victorian mugs made that were decorated with terrible images of the Queen, these earned the nickname uglies and are worth very little today.   Saying that there are also wall designed rarities including busts and figures of Queen Victoria's children and the 20th century coronation mugs designed by Dame Laura Knight and Eric Ravilious are well sought after by collectors.