A tiny porcelain animal tucked inside a box of tea was a surprise worth saving. For many collectors, that was their introduction to Wade Whimsies. The story began in English pottery shops years before the figurines reached the tea aisle.
Wade Whimsies before Red Rose Tea
Wade’s roots are in Burslem, one of the pottery towns of Stoke-on-Trent, England. George Wade took ownership of Wade & Sons in 1899. In the early 1950s, the company introduced the miniature animal figures collectors know as Whimsies. Early boxed sets included familiar subjects such as dogs, horses, and woodland animals. Their small size made them easy to collect and display together.
How the figurines got into tea boxes
Red Rose Tea began offering Wade figurines in Canada in 1967. The promotion gave shoppers a small collectible with their tea. A regular U.S. promotion followed in 1983 with an animal assortment. Over time, Red Rose introduced themed groups that gave collectors new sets to complete.
Series to look for
- American Animals introduced U.S. tea buyers to miniature wildlife in the 1980s.
- Circus brought performers and animals into the lineup, including a strongman and a ringmaster.
- Pet Shop featured familiar animals such as cats, dogs, and a turtle.
- Calendar used seasonal subjects tied to the months of the year.
- Nautical Wonderland included shore and seafaring subjects such as a lighthouse and a ship’s wheel.
- American Heritage drew on American history, with subjects ranging from a covered wagon to the Space Shuttle.
Identifying your Wade figurine
Start with the shape. Look at the pose, base, and small details, then compare them with photos of a known series. Check underneath for a maker’s mark and photograph it if you can. Glaze can vary between examples, so use color alongside the shape and details. If you still have the original box or promotional packaging, keep it with the figure.
When buying, look closely at the ears, tails, and edges of the base, where small chips can be easy to miss. A printer’s tray or a shallow shelf gives these miniatures room to be seen, especially when you arrange them by theme.
Browse Wade Figurines at Third Stop Vintage