Doulton of Lambeth began operatioins in the Regency period.  At that time, the factory only made industrial stoneware, but the second half of the 19th century, under the leadership of Sir Henry Doulton was a leader in the Art Pottery Movement.  This century the factory has been framed for the named numbered figures and tableaux that make up the most collectable series of porcelain produced this century.

Although Doulton had produced porcelain figures from their Burslem factory in the late 19th century, the first that became known as the HN series was not issued until 1913, Darling,  modelled by Charles Vyse, was numbered HN1 for Harry Nixon, the factories chief colourist at that time. Since then, all figurines produced by Doulton have been given their own HN number.  New figurines are still being produced,  the HN numbers now top 3000, and the old ones discontinued.

The factory often rang the changes with different versions of their figures.  Sometimes the changes were made in small details of the modelling, but usually by changing the colour scheme.  Between the wars, some figures could be ordered in special colours to match the customers interior design.  Whenever a figure was changed it was given a new HN number. Miniature figures were also introduced, with the HN number prefixed with an M.

There are several reasons for their popularity, the main is the quality of the modelling which is fantastic in such mass produced figurines, also Doulton employed only the best artists and designers.  One of the most remembered being Leslie Harradine, who had a genius for expressive portraits in pottery, at first, production was severely limited by circumstances as much as design. In the first five years less than 700 bone china figurines representing 47 characters were made. The popularity of the figurines grew steadily through the 1920s and 30s, however, production expanded to meet it. By 1939, 29 artists were employed to paint figurines.  The original models were the work of a surprisingly small number of designers. By far the most prolific Was Leslie Harradine, who specialised in winsome ladies, he had been apprentice to Doulton as a modeller in 1887, when he was 15, and created several models, notably of characters from Dickens, which were later incorporated into the HN series, after world war one he worked freelance, submitting four models a month to Doulton for around forty years.

Another was Richard Garbe, whose ivory sculptures where reproduced in strictly limited editions, as few as 25 in some cases.  Doulton collectors are mainly interested in figures that have been withdrawn from production or retired.  Those that are still being made do have a resale value, though this will only be about 60 0 80 percent of the retail value.

If collecting you should decide on a particular area of interest before you start collecting, as a complete set of figurines is not a very realistic goal.  Some of them were made in very limited numbers and others especially those that were retired before world war two, have become rare.  There are lots of themes for a collection, for example you could base your collection on a particular designer or period, or various types of models, Flower sellers, pretty ladies and so on.

When you are starting out collecting it is a good idea to read up look at pictures and get as well informed about collecting as knowledge will help you choose an area of interest and recognise a bargain.  You may have to travel to build your collection, but this can be half of the fun, shopping around pays off as prices can vary considerably.  If you are really keen you can join the International Royal Doulton Collectors Club.

You will get to know other collectors and dealers, this can be very helpful. You can find out quite a lot about a figure by looking at the base, you will find the name of the piece and the HN number, there should also be the  Doulton Lion and Crown stamp.  The Legend potted by Doulton and CO should also be there.  The style in which the marks were made changed over time, and is possibly the best indicator of when a figure was actually made.  I recommend that you take a book of stamps with you  when you are shopping this way you can check.  The date that is sometimes impressed on the base is the year the figure was issued.