Wade Whimsies..part 2
Created | Updated Feb 17, 2015
English Whimsies
In 1971 25 of the original Wade Miniatures made for commercial promotions were re-issued, and given the name English Whimsies these were packaged in individual boxes for retail. Still produced in sets usually of five per set, with a different background colour on the box for each set and each model had it's own identifying number. At 50p each these cute animals were easily affordable and popular. A new set was released each year, though two sets were issued in 1972 and 1979. Adding 35 to the original 25 a total of 60, this amount does not include promotional models, which were not produced for retail. (The final total being over 100) The first set of English Whimsies were:
- 1. Fawn
- 2. Rabbit
- 3. Mongrel
- 4a. Kitten with pink ball of wall
- 4b. Kitten with red ball of wool
- 5.Spaniel
Versions
Either by accident or design a very small amount of Whimsies have two versions. The Kitten, with pink or red ball of wall. The Rabbit, available with both open or closed ears. The Hippo and the bison, produced in two different sizes, and the stripeless Zebra, after glazing the stripes didn't show through, a brown model was made, still stripeless. Are a few of the variations.
Marks and Ink Stamps
The back stamps on Whimsies vary, depending on when and where they were produced. Some have an ink stamp on the base, others are embossed, either on the base or near the base, and some appear to have no back stamp at all, these may have originally had a black and gold label on the base.