It has been a while since any new light was shed on Doulton’s first set of miniatures, so I thought it time to address this!

A page from a catalogue from 1933.

Collectors always looking for the unusual will be pleased to see these original boxes for the M series. They are all typically Art Deco in decoration and there appears to be just three styles of decoration. These little boxes were included in the advertising for the M series as a selling point yet very few exist today, unfortunately!

A group of original boxes in two of the three designs used.

Chloe sitting in her original packaging within her box.

Whilst miniatures offer collectors the opportunity to collect even more figures due to their size, collectors around the world do specialise in just these figures. Like their larger counterparts occasionally colourways turn up and of course like all figures some are more sought after than others.

A striking version of the miniature Polly Peachum

This area of collecting really does offer us bargains as more common figures such as the Paisley Shawl for example are relatively inexpensive at the moment. Yet the quality so typical of Doulton figures is echoed in this range with their miniature faces and exquisite decoration. Even in their hey day Doulton advertised them as being of ‘diminuative’ price too!

The Paisley Shawl next to her original box and complete with original sticker.

Doulton’s range of M figures were available mounted on calendars, pen holders, pin trays… The list is endless! However, the top London jewellers such as Asprey had them mounted with sterling silver fittings and these top make pieces are the most popular today.

A quality desk calendar with another Polly Peachum.

Whatever your tastes and needs, as always Doulton had something for everyone and thus established a strong buying base with collectors around the world. As Henry Doulton once said it was easier to sell something expensive but of better quality than something cheaper and of lesser quality!

And finally a recent find, looking very smart the Crinoline Lady atop a pin dish.

So why not start a collection of these charming miniature figures and have fun deciding how to display them yourselves!