New Series!
The Red Rose Calendar Series will be coming soon to a store near you. Twelve new figurines are being put inside Red Rose Tea and represent each month of the year.
Snowman
Cupid
Leprechaun
Bunny
Mother's Day
Graduation
Uncle Sam
Sandcastle
Scarecrow
Pumpkin Kitty
Turkey
Holiday Tree
These delightful treasures are going to be a lovely addition to your collection!
Note! These figurines are not for sale! You will find them available as a free promotional item in your box of tea in the next few months.
Red Rose began to give away Wade miniatures 41 years ago, in 1967. At first the promotion was very restricted, in terms of the geographical area. Figurines were given away in Quebec, Canada as part of a short term promotion. The results were so successful that the promotion was gradually extended until it covered all of Canada. In 1983 the promotion was finally launched "full scale" in the United States. To date, it is estimated that more than 300 million Wade figurines have been given away in packages of tea in America.
Although figurines had been offered to American collectors via mail and had been test marketed in two regions in the 1970's (Pittsburgh and Pacific North West), it was not until 1983 that they became widely available in the United States. While the molds were the same as those used for Canadian series, coloring and glazes were different.
At the end of each series a closeout option is given to consumers to purchase a complete set of figures from the current series while inventory supplies last. After a series has closed out, availability will be limited to trading among other collectors. Look for closeout options in specially marked boxes of Red Rose Tea at the end of each series promotion. We at Red Rose adhere to a very strict "no sale" policy during in-pack promotions. Our figurines are for promotional purposes only.
How valuable are the figuirines?
In truth, nobody knows. Like all collectibles, it is a question of supply and demand. When first introduced by Wade in England, during the 1950's, the miniatures were designed to be sold at a price equivalent to thirty cents - for five!
Today, the most active avenue for finding these treasures is at flea markets, or on the internet. Complete sets, in mint condition, are now quite valuable. We heard of one report where the original Canadian series sold for more than $100,000 but we think the figurines had been mounted in a special cabinet.
The molds for many of the figurines are now quite worn and some may now be broken. Figurines from series dating more than 15 years past have not been available for quite some time. According to one professional collector, "the miniatures will definately increase in value." We have seen those in short supply rising month by month.
Experts on the subject:
Ian Warner & Mike Posgay - Authors of The World of Wade.
This compreshensive guide has suggested prices both in U.S. dollars and British pounds. Of particular importance to Wade collectors are the notes and illistruations of reissues and reproduction figurines, which always ocur when an item becomes so highly collectible and sought after. There is a complete illustrated list identifying the many Wade backstamps from the late 1800s through to the present.
American Series #1 was promoted from 1983-1985.
Monkey, Lion, Buffalo, Bush Baby, Owl, Bear Cub, Rabbit, Squirrel, Bird, Otter, Baby Hippo, Seal, Wild Boar, Turtle, Elephant.
American Series #2 was promoted from 1985-1994
Koala, Giraffe, Pine Marten, Langur, Gorilla, Camel, Kangaroo, Tiger, Zebra, Polar Bear, Orangutan, Raccoon, Rhino, Beaver, Leopard, Puppy, Kitten, Rabbit, Pony, Cockateel.
Circus Series was promoted from 1994-1999
Childhood memories return of funny clowns bringing smiles to children's faces while circus animals and performers astounded and amazed crowds everywhere.
Ringmaster, Human Cannonball, Strongman, Clown, Bear, Custard Pie Clown, Elephant, Teapot Monkey, Raised Elephant, Teacup Monkey, Lion, Poodle, Seal, Horse, Tiger.
North American Endangered Series was promoted from 1999-2002
These figurines were designed exclusively for Red Rose Tea to help focus attention on conservation efforts to protect these treasured animals. Red Rose wanted to be reminded of the plight of these beautiful animals and the responsibility each of us has to protect them.
Florida Panther, Peregrine Falcon, Green Sea Turtle, Humpback Whale, Spotted Owl, Sturgeon, Manatee, Timberwolf, Bald Eagle, Polar Bear.
Noah's Ark Series was promoted from 2002-2006.
The wonderful story of Noah and his family! The strength of his beliefs and the adventure of survival! Enjoy collecting each of these imported porcelain miniatures, each depicting the male and female, "2 by 2" and display them on the Ark display piece.
Noah and wife, male elephant, female elephant, male rhino, female rhino, male zebra, female zebra, male ram, female ewe, goose, gander, rooster, hen, lion, lioness.
The Pet Shop Series is the current series that started its promotion in 2006.
This unique collection has the theme of your neighborhood pet shop!
Cat, Tropical Fish, Kittens, Laborador, Duck, Pony, Puppies, Rabbit, Turtle, and Budgie.
Wade Ceramics
Whisper Wade "Whimsies" into many people's ears and it will mean only one thing...small animal figurines from the George Wade Pottery of Burslem, England.
Wade began in 1810 in Burslem, England, with a small workshop and a single pottery oven making mostly bottles and pottery items. He soon turned his attention to the more profitable ceramics needs of textile mills, which supported the company into the late 1920s. As well as industrial ceramics, Wade produced a line of beautiful figurines, many Art Deco. These were so popular that animal figures were added. The line ran into a snag when it was found that the Cellulose finish turned yellow and peeled off with age. In the late 1930s some models were reissued with a high gloss underglaze finish.
Wade Whimsies were intended for children, but they also appeal to adults who have not lost their sense of imagination. The Wade figurines have become collectors' items and are very much in demand. Today, Wade figurines are still offered as a premium with the purchase of Red Rose Teas.
Many Whimsies, often those apparently in the same range, are different from each other. This is due to the length of time they were made and the volume of output. Molds became worn and were retooled for fresh use. Nearly all Red Rose Figurines, with the exception of the very first, have one significant feature: fine moulded parellel ridges on the underside of the base. It now seems to have become a "trademark" for all Wade "Whimsies" to follow, making them remarkable Red Rose collectibles.
Pictured here are Paul Farmer and Cyril Roberts of Wade of England working in the laboratory of Redco Foods (Red Rose Tea) where the light was perfectly suited to look at figurine models. Red Rose is in its planning stages for the next figurine series. Above, Cyril makes some finishing touches on one piece.