January has a pure white snowman with such a great nose!

 

February, of course, is Cupid complete with diaper, carrying his heart and an arrow ready and waiting on his heart shaped base. Check out his wings!

 

March - Is he St. Patrick or a Leprechaun standing tall, with his green hat on his lucky 3 leaf clover?

 

April's adorable Easter Bunny has one giant egg just for you - if you look close you can even see it has been decorated!

 

May Day and a pretty little girl brings Flowers to your door.

 

June is the time we celebrate graduation so here is a cap and gown for you.

 

July we find Uncle Sam standing proud on the 4th.

 

August we head for the beach with our toys to play all day in the sun.

 

September out comes the Scarecrow to keep our crops safe - I love this one!

 

October is Harvest time and Halloween - Who is that peaking out of the pumpkin?

 

November we all want Turkey to celebrate the day of Thanks.

 

December we celebrate the season with beautiful trees adorned with ornaments.

 

There were many delightful figurines of various sizes, shapes and colours. Over the years series were introduced (and re-introduced). Tiny buildings to form villages. Larger useful items - many just fanciful decorative pieces.

 

One set I still would love to have is the Snippets!

 

Some of the most wonderful little figurines were originally offered in Red Rose Tea and Tom Smith Crackers (another guide needed to explain these fun Christmas novelties).

 

I am not an expert on the dates or countries each came out, but there are various web sites and books that can be ordered to get into more detailed collecting history. My guide for you is for beginning a collection and care of your tiny treasures.

 

A whole array of animals were offered and the heavy tea drinkers would soon have shelves, and drawers and boxes full of the adorable critters. My mother eventually bought a beautiful display for hers and kept only the best one of each in the glass case. The others were carefully stored in egg cartons with tissue wrap to keep from chipping. I think at last count she had over 400 to pass on to grand kids.

I keep many of mine out on display in shelves made from antique Type Set drawers some of the cubbies are prefect a few are large but still every one gets a space - I have 2 shelves up (some kept in their boxes they came in) and the rest packed away plus many extras I have been listing here and there.

 

If you are collecting these little lovelies there are a few things to remember. Colour and Quality - The bright colours came out later. Most the originals were rich earthy colours. The details on the originals were ever so much better also. You know you have a True Wade by distinctive markings. 

 

 One - the name Wade should be on it either front or back of base. Also they each have a unique fine line scraping on the bottom.  Please note the early original Whimsies - only 1/3 of them were marked.  The packaging was often all that bore the name.

They were drawn across a surface before firing to give each this trademark "comb" pattern. If a seller has the item marked "Wade?"  they are just using the keyword to get your attention!  Ask a question to the seller to provide source proving this is a Wade. There are a few older Wades that didn't have the name, and you could be lucky to have found one. There are a few reference books out that show great pictures and details on the early Wades. If your unsure if you have one you are welcome to contact me and I will look through the books I have for you.

 

 

Chips and Fleabites....  When there are chips or "Flea Bites"  you can use these as fillers or make great gifts to young ones to start them collecting.  

 

Unfortunately these often came with the "Flea Bites" and many seem to show up even no one touches them.

 

No worries about little hands dropping or clinking them.  Fillers can be displayed with flea bites to the back side.

 

When purchasing make sure to request the seller individually wrap them, you will end up with a hand full of chipped figures.  - they look tough but really had fairly fragile finishes.  Tissue or news print (or both layered) will keep them from clinking and chipping.

 

Stay away from any seller who shows the pictures of them carelessly strewn in a pile on the table unless you just want for fillers - these will very likely show up with numorous chips. 

 

 A quick and easy check for tiny chips is to close your eyes and gently run your fingers over all of the figure.  Some figures also look chiped but if you see the shine of glazing that is only a factory error.

 

Factory Mint = No Fleabites, chips or cracks

May have slight errors from firing including lack of glaze, colour or porcelain oddities

Colours may be slightly off and sharp edges may have no glaze or colour.

 

Very Good/Excellent = No chips or cracks - may have onr or two fleabites (this is common and is the term for when the colour/glazing flakes off at the factory)

 

Good = Numerous fleabites (poor colour/firing) No chips or cracks

 

Fair = Fleabites and tiny chips at the base (Make wonderful fillers till your perfect Wade comes along) Great for young collectors - No worries about small inexperienced hands playing.  Start a young one collecting!! (even with the small chips these are safe for delicate skin - but not for young children who put things in their mouths)

 

Poor = Chips on main portion of figurine

 

 I could ramble on for hours on information about these figurines. You would be wise to find a good book, many are out there, with great information on release years, series and colours available. Spend your money wisely and look for only the best examples. Nursery Rhymes are a great series to collect. The Newest Pet Shop series were not great quality. Cute, but poor details. Also check out Red Rose Tea web site for the newest available. Good Luck and Happy Collecting!!

 

Please check YES if you share a love for these tiny critters. Thank You