This was included in my collection of Wade (Red Rose tea) figurines. I collected them as a child in the 70s in Canada. After some research I don't see this one included in any of the series they put out. If it is not Wade, can you please identify it? Thanks so much.
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Yes, it is a Wade figurine. Just Google them and check the images that show up. I saw the Koala in several of the photos, and believe I have one myself, packed away somewhere. My mother used to drink Red Rose Tea, and gave me every figurine from the packages. I kept them, but haven't looked at them in years. Good memories!
I have not found clear evidence that states Wade Whimsies were or were not marked but it does appear that all of their other pieces were marked.
History:
www.potteriesauctions.com/
antique-marks.com/
Yours may be an original but if your other 'whimsies' have markings then I would guess this one may not be genuine.
George Wade came into ownership of Wade & Sons of Burslem, England in 1899, eventually renaming it George Wade Pottery. The style of Wade figurines known as "Wade Whimsies" were introduced originally in 1954 with a leaping fawn, horse, spaniel, poodle, and a squirrel. Red Rose Tea didn't start to offer the miniatures until 1967. The figurines were first distributed with tea in Canada (in 1967). It wasn't until 1983 that the figurines made their way to the United States.
Back in the early days, the production of these figurines didn't have much in the lines of quality control. So, they'd often make it into the packs of tea with glaze covering up cracks. Because early ones were hand-painted, the older pieces not only may be cracked, but they may have slightly different designs from each other.
The tea figurines aren't the most valuable Wade collectables by any stretch of the imagination. The tea figurines go for a couple of bucks on eBay, while earlier Wade creations from the '50s and '60s can sell for around $800.
Koalas like yours were in two colors: dark and light.
Light Koala is from set 10 of the English Whimsies and dates to around 1979-1984. Here they are on sale for $7.99 or $13.29 per pair: www.ebay.com/
You have a dark koala. I found the same dark koala as yours here in the collection www.waynealton.com/
Dark Koala is from Tom Smith's Safari Park Party Crackers series.
Tom Smith Crackers "Safari Park" includes 10 animal figurines and was produced from 1976-1977. Here you can see this collection and your dark koala.
www.birdingandmore.com/
I found the same dark koala as yours here in the collection www.waynealton.com/
www.etsy.com/
You have a rare koala bear with its dark colors, since it was produced for a short time 1976-1977.
Wade Whimsies Rare Safari Park Black Koala Bear With Wade Lying Horse Sold For £4.99 picclick.co.uk/
I would think that if it were Wade, there would be an identifying marking on it. If there is not, it could be a knockoff that may be impossible to identify.
None of the Wade red rose tea figurines are marked.
It is a Wade. It is from safari set Tom Smithparty cackers
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