In 1947, peace had finally returned to England and it was time to relax and enjoy life once again. No more dark rooms (newspapers stuck on the glass so the bombers couldn't find easy targets at night) and the constant sheltering in cellars or basements during raids.
Not much money around at this time and rationing didn't make it easy either but money isn't everything and for many lady folk life's little pleasures were far more important, like having a cuppa tea! A time to celebrate the end of the war but also to sadly reflect on all those brave souls who never got to come home to Old Blighty.
But for me personally this APRIL chinaware has a very personal meaning, my birthday month! Given to me many years ago by extended family but well .... it's time this (and the other APRIL china teaset pieces) find a new owner, sadly. You see, chinaware can be about "the name of the maker", the design or purely sentimental attachment.
DLAT Rating: 10/10 (Darling, look at this!)
ROYAL DOULTON
Saucer ONLY
Opaque (you cannot see the shadow of your fingers when held to a light)
Pattern: APRIL D6087
Hand painted
Spring-Summer English flowers with foliage all around the outside, extending into the central area.
Cream base colouring
Royal Doulton backstamps can be difficult to accurately estimate the period of manufacture but this one is quite easy and straightforward.
This printed mark was used by Royal Doulton after 1932, the A to the left of the crown was used from 1939 ~ 1955 and on the saucer (underneath) there is the number 20 to the right of the crown. Using the Doulton "dating rule", starting at a base of 1927 then adding 20 means this piece was produced by the works in 1947 - just after the end of World War II.
People needed to have uplifting "happier times" objects in their lives having just been through 6 years of very hard times in England. What better than a nice "cuppa o' tea" with the Doulton? Could you please boil the kettle, Pet?
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
Graphic (Lion on top of a crown)
A to the left of the crown
20 to the right of the crown
MADE IN ENGLAND
ROYAL DOULTON
Graphic (Doulton)
ENGLAND
APRIL
Artists marks to the base identifying the design and artist who decorated this piece, these marks were very important to the worker as it was the number of pieces decorated that determined their pay, not how long they took to finish each piece.
CONDITION:
Clean
NO crazing - even using a "wet test" no crazing shows
NO cracks
NO chips
NO fleabites
NO wear to the primary artwork nor the outer rim green decoration which is a little patchy but I believe this is the "hand crafted" nature of the decoration applied
SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE: ROYALDOULTONAPRILTRIO
If someone was looking for the complete trio, select each of the 3 Royal Doulton teaset trio items and in the checkout area enter the special code ROYALDOULTONAPRILTRIO
This will deduct 30% off each of these Royal Doulton "April" items
