 The Subjects from Literature school of series, as defined by Louise Irvine, are a grouping of 39 series depicting scenes from 22 literary subjects. By far the most important of these subjects are the works of Charles Dickens and the playwright William Shakespeare. Royal Doulton created 10 individual series covering the works of Shakespeare and 8 series that cover Charles Dickens literary heritage (I have given Dickens Ware a category of its own). To date I have covered Dickens Ware, Sir Roger de Coverley, Greenwood Tree, Gallant Fishers, Shakespeare Characters and Canterbury. I have plans to cover more of Royal Doulton’s Literary series. I am always looking for collections to phtograph. I must acknowledge Mary of “Marjorie Jones Collection”and Bod Goudy in particular; without their passion these pages would be a shadow of what they are today.
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Geoffrey Chaucer is considered to be the father of English Literature. He was born the son of prosperous wine merchant in London in circa 1343 and he died late late in 1399. He was buried in Westminster Abbey and in 1556 his remains where moved and he became the first writer to be interred in Westminster Abbey’s Poets’ Corner. Chaucer’s most famous work is the unfinished frame narrative “The Caterbury Tales”. For the full narrative on Royal Doulton’s Canterbury Pilgrims series just follow the read more tab……
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Royal Doulton produced two series dedicated to the brilliance of the Illustrator Cecil Aldin. Aldin produced an artistic legacy over his career of some forty years that is till with us today. Of course the Illustrator’s art was much more important in the early twentieth century than it is today as modern photographical techniques have taken over much of the Illustrators work. I must acknowledge the assistance Mary of “The Marjorie Jones Memorial Collection” in the creation of this fact file.
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Royal Doulton introduced the Aldin's Dogs series in 1926 and it was withdrawn from production in the 1940's. This series had two pattern numbers issued against it: D4507 & D4723. Aldins Dogs consists of six scenes in this series. I only have one image from this series, can anybody please supply the five other scenes I do need to build this factfile.
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 Charles Noke created Royal Doultons’ “The Gallant Fishers” series to celebrate the writings of Izaac Walton. The first edition of Izaac Walton’s “The Complete Angler” was published in 1653. It is the quintessential English sporting classic. A serious discussion on freshwater angling endowed with verse, song and vinaigrettes penned by others. Izaak Walton produced five editions of “The Complete Angler”, the initial publication contained 13 chapters, the fifth and Walton’s final edition in 1676 contained twenty one chapters. “The Complete Angler” was a Seventieth Century variety show based around angling, akin to the format of Television shows today such as “Top Gear” and Football shows on every code imaginable in as many languages as conceivable. As this series was drawn by Charles Noke, one could conclude that it was a topic that was dear to this great talents own heart. I must acknowledge the assistance Mary of “The Marjorie Jones Memorial Collection” in the creation of this fact file in particular.
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The subject of Robin Hood really needs no introduction; we all know the story, there seems to be a new movie or TV series every other year. My favorite is Mel Brook’s “Men in Tights”, for no other reason than that it is just so ridiculous. Robin Hood and his band Merry Men - living it rough in Sherwood Forest - stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Heinous villains like Guy of Gisborne and the Sheriff of Nottingham. There is Robin’s love interest, Maid Marion, and of course the final reward when King Richard returns from the crusades – such a ripping yarn. It seems Royal Doulton also thoughts so. So in 1914 Under the Greenwood Tree was introduced, there where some modification to the scenes and new items where introduced in 1937, 1939 and 1951. The series was finally withdrawn from production in 1967.
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 William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon in 1564 and he died on 23rd April 1616. The Bard, as he is affectionately known, is quintessentially English, no other intellect has left such a mark on the English language. The great body of his work, some 38 plays and 154 sonnets, were compiled over 24 year period between 1589 and 1613. Shakespeare’s literary legacy resounds down through four century’s to us today. Undoubtedly the most celebrated must be the quote from Hamlet; “To be or not to be, for that is the question…” Royal Doulton’s Shakespearean Characters depicts 12 of Shakespeare’s most engaging characters in appropriate settings. For the full story, line and verse, just follow the read more tab….
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The Sir Roger de Coverley series is based on a series of characters conceived by Thomas Steele for the literary magazine “The Spectator” which was first published in March1711. Thomas Steel depicted Sir Roger as the ideal country gentleman from the county of Worcestershire; Sir Roger was a stalwart Tory and a pious Christian; a man with an impeccable lineage. Other characters are the Spectators, who Sir Roger invites to visit his country estate. "Thomas Touchy", Sir Roger’s neighbour who sues anybody at the drop of a hat and the landlord who models the sign of his inn on Sir Roger. There is also the honorable gentleman "William Wimble" and of course "The Widow". 
This is a quirky series with some great scenes; my personal favorite is Tomas Touchy, I love the sign just above his right shoulder (above). I guess we all have had the misfortune of knowing a Tomas Touchy. |
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