Swan

Whitefriars, UK
1938-1980
29 images showing the colour range.
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Description

Sizes: Small, Medium and Large from 5" to 10" see text below for details of sizes:

When they were first shown in the 1938 catalogue, swans were made in medium only, which were approx 8 inches high. In the 1940
catalogue they were made in 8 and 10 inch versions. In the 1945 catalogue a 5 inch swan was briefly added to these, but by the 1954 catalogue this had changed to 10, 8 and 6 inches. In 1966 the 10 inch and 6 inch were discontinued, leaving only the medium. From 1978 to 80 the footed swan (like my Aqua) was introduced, made in medium only. They were in Aqua, Flint, Gold, Ruby and Sky blue. These are all rare, but Sky blue is the rarest as it was only made for one year, in 1980.

All the swan sizes are approximate and there are considerable variations, as you can see from my pictures! (My \'medium\' swans vary from seven and a half inches to my Aqua footed swan at a magnificent 10 and a quarter inches! Sadly, I have no 5 inch ones - which can be as small as 4 and a quarter inches, I believe.)

All together over the years swans have been made in Flint, Sea green, Golden amber, Emerald (rare), Sapphire (rare-ish), Sanctuary blue (another rare ), Ruby, Arctic blue (which replaced Sapphire) Ocean green (replaced Sea green) Twilight, and the VERY rare colours, Silver - only made for one year in 1972 - Amethyst and Black! (Black was only made for the Australian market, apparently.)

There are some examples of odd colours, which may or may not have been experimental or accidents. Some Flint have a slight hint of colour, and some Amber have been seen in a darker shade, almost copper brown. And Pinky has - of course - a pink one.

The small swans (5 and 6 inch) have three \'pulls\' on each side to represent the wings, and the medium and large swans have four, however the footed swans only have three.

I was told (by Ray Annenberg) that pre-war swans are narrower, because when purchase tax was introduced the swans were made wider so that they could be sold as bowls and therefore escape the tax which would have been levied on them if they were classified as ornaments!

©2008 L Simons

n.b. For colour names on additional pictures hover over the thumbnails with mouse pointer. Main image is Medium size Golden Amber.

Additional information