What are Wade Whimsies?

Whimsies are collectable miniature glazed ceramic animals. They were the idea of Sir George Wade,¹ and were originally intended as 'pocket money toys' The First Whimsies were available at the British Industries Fair in 1954. They attracted the attention of adults and soon became collectable.

The Whimsies were produced and sold in boxed sets usually five per set, a different colour box representing each set. Which were produced for limited amount of time, 1-2 years, some models just for few months, so as not to flood the market and loose their appeal.

First Whimsies

Models produced from 1954-1961 are known as First Whimsies. 10 sets were produced during that time, nine sets of five per box and one set of four per box. The very first set of Whimsies were:

1. Leaping fawn.
2. Horse.
3. Spaniel with ball.
4. Poodle.
5. Squirrel.

Packaging

The boxes for first Whimsies were designed to be attractive and appealing. First Whimsies complete with original boxes can be worth up to 50% more to collectors. In the 1970s, the individual boxes were less attractive, though still have different back ground colours to represent different sets, and each box had an identifying number. By the 1980s the box had reverted back to appealing design.

Ribbed Base

From the early 1960s, a new method of production was introduced. The base was rubbed back and forth on a material similar to emery paper, giving Wade models their distinctive ribbed base. A reliable way of identifying post 1960 models.

Promotional Success

In 1967 a tea company in Canada started a promotion, giving free Wade miniature animals with their packets of tea. The promotion started with 12 models, it was so successful a further 20 models were added and the promotion was extended, it ran from 1967-1973. These miniature animals were later re-issued as English Whimsies. The promotion was repeated 1982-1985.

Animal Crackers

These miniature animals were an ideal size for christmas and party crackers. Ten models were produced exclusively for a company which manufactured crackers. With the design rights held by the cracker company for two years, then handed back to Wade.

Bubble Card

In the mid 1970s a California Company had 24 English Whimsies exported. These models were packaged on a brightly coloured bubble card, with the words "Whimsies Miniature Collection Solid English Porcelain". They also had both the American and the Union Jack flag printed on the card. The issue number on these cards are different from the boxed English Whimsies even though they were exactly the same.

Wade Whimsies

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¹ Sir George Wade died in 1986, a year later his son Tony also died, thereby ending 120 years of the Wade family name in ceramics.