The Origins of Beswick Pottery and Its Iconic Beatrix Potter Figurines

Beswick Pottery was founded in 1894 in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent by James Wright Beswick and his two sons, John and Gilbert. Originally known for producing tableware, the company began shifting its focus in the 1930s, moving towards the creation of ceramic animal models—a decision that would shape its future success.

In 1948, Beswick introduced its first collection of Beatrix Potter figurines, featuring ten of the most popular characters from her beloved stories. The range was an instant success, and new characters were regularly added, further cementing Beswick’s reputation among collectors.

Building on this success, Beswick later expanded its character figurine collections to include Disney characters, Winnie the Pooh, and Alice in Wonderland, making them a household name in the world of decorative ceramics.

Understanding the value of Beswick figures

The commercial success of certain Beswick figurines has a direct impact on their value today. Models that were mass-produced tend to be less valuable, as they are more readily available on the collector’s market.

However, older models are often considered more desirable, as experts believe they feature greater mould detail and sharper colouring—qualities that enhance their aesthetic appeal.

Some collectors specifically seek out figurines with a gold backstamp (the marking found on the base of each piece). However, it is actually some of the transitional backstamps (gold and brown) and early brown backstamps that are far rarer—making them particularly sought after by serious collectors.

Understanding crazing on Beswick figures

Many of the earliest Beswick figurines exhibit a common condition known as crazing—a network of fine hairline cracks in the glaze that resembles a spiderweb pattern. This occurs naturally during production when the clay body and glaze cool at different rates, causing subtle stress fractures on the surface.

Crazing is extremely common in glazed pottery, and experts generally agree that collectors should expect some degree of crazing on older pieces. While it is technically considered a glaze defect, it does not typically impact the value of a figurine. However, because it is often visible, some collectors may have a personal preference for pieces with little to no crazing.

Understanding backstamps for Beatrix Potter figurines

If you’re new to collecting Beatrix Potter figurines, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the various backstamps—the markings found on the base of each piece. (A detailed description of the most common backstamps can be found at the end of this post.)

The earliest backstamps are particularly important, as these figurines are often the most valuable to collectors. The first two series, known as BP1 and BP2, feature the gold backstamps, which are among the most sought after. These were followed by the BP3 series, which introduced the brown line backstamps.

Choosing the Right Beatrix Potter Figurines for Your Collection

If your goal is simply to collect a full set of figurines without focusing on value, prioritising condition is key. Look for pieces that are well-painted and free from chips, cracks, and excessive crazing, as these factors greatly affect their overall appeal.

For those interested in rarer pieces, the transitional and early brown backstamps are an excellent starting point. These figurines had short production runs, making them harder to find and more desirable to dedicated collectors.

However, if you’re looking for the most valuable and sought-after pieces, then the early ‘gold’ backstamps should be your primary focus. These figurines are often the most coveted among collectors, both for their historical significance and their scarcity in pristine condition.

Where to Find Beatrix Potter Figurines and Understanding Model Changes

Good places to search for Beatrix Potter figurines include auctions, antique shops, and vintage fairs. When purchasing, always inspect pieces carefully, checking for chips, cracks, or restoration work, as these factors can significantly affect both value and desirability.

It’s also important to note that at least nineteen Beatrix Potter figurines have been remodelled or recoloured over the years—some more than once. Many of these changes were made for technical or production reasons. For example, the original Benjamin Bunny figurine featured both arms positioned away from his body and the tips of his ears peeking out from under his tam-o-shanter. However, these details made the figure more prone to chips and breakage, leading to two subsequent redesigns to improve durability.

Other modifications, particularly changes in paint colours, were often requested by the copyright holders to ensure the figurines better reflected Beatrix Potter’s original illustrations. Additionally, shifts in ceramic paint formulas over time also contributed to variations in colour.

As with many collectibles, first edition pieces are often preferred by serious collectors due to their historical significance and originality.

Backstamp Guide

BP1

BP1a is a gold circle created from the words ‘Beswick’ and ‘England’.  BP1b has the words ‘Beswick’ and ‘England’ formed in parallel lines.  The BP1 stamps were used only on figurines manufactured between 1948 and 1954, and twenty figures may bear these stamps.  These include the initial collection of ten figures, which were: Jemima Puddleduck, Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Timmy Tiptoes, Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs. Tittlemouse, Little Pig Robinson, Benjamin Bunny, Samuel Whiskers and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle.  The other models which could bear BP1 back stamps (including first production dates) are: Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail (1953), Foxy Whiskered Gentleman (1953), Hunca Munca (1951), Johnny Townmouse (1953), Lady Mouse (1950), Miss Moppet (1953), Mr. Jeremy Fisher (1950), Mrs. Rabbit (1951), Ribby (1951) and Timmy Willie (1949).   

BP2

BP2a is a gold oval created from the words ‘Beswick’ and ‘England’.  This stamp was issued in a variety of forms from 1955 to 1972.  BP2b is a transitional stamp between the BP2 and BP3 series which had the name of the character and ‘Beatrix Potter’ in gold with the remaining words in brown.  This stamp was on a very limited number of figures from 1971 to 1972.  

BP3

BP3a has the words ‘Beswick’ and ‘England’ in brown with the word ‘copyright’ with no date.  The first line of the stamp has the words ‘Beatrix Potter’, the second line has the character name in quotations, and the third line reads ‘F Warne & Co Ltd’.  This stamp was issued from 1973 to 1974.  The BP3b stamp is very similar to BP3a, but contains a copyright date.  This stamp was issued from 1974 to 1985.  BP3c is similar to BP3b, but includes the line ‘Licensed by Copyrights’ and was issued from 1985 to 1988.  

To see the vintage Beatrix Potter books which I currently have available in my Etsy shop, please click HERE (by clicking this link my Etsy shop will open in a new tab).