Royal Doulton’s Sailor Figurine Telling His “Tall Story”

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This classic Royal Doulton porcelain figurine titled "Tall Story" celebrates the timeless tradition of seafaring folklore. It was produced by … Read more This classic Royal Doulton porcelain figurine titled "Tall Story" celebrates the timeless tradition of seafaring folklore. It was produced by Royal Doulton, one of England's most famous and historic ceramic houses, based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
An old, weathered fisherman sits on a wooden dock bench, spinning a spellbinding yarn. His animated hand gesture and open mouth capture him mid-sentence. He is cradling a model sailboat in his lap, using it as a visual aid to explain an unbelievable nautical adventure—the quintessential "tall story." At his side sits an open bait or tackle box with an anchor emblem, out of which a tiny, freshly caught fish or crab peeks, adding a humorous layer to his bragging.
The underside features a complete, authentic Royal Doulton green underglaze factory mark. The standard Doulton crest, The Lion and Crown, is proudly stamped at the top. This piece carries a 1967 copyright date (COPR 1967) on the base. It was officially designed by renowned Doulton master sculptor Mary Nicoll and was in production from 1968 until its retirement in 1979. The model number is clearly listed as HN 2248, the prefix honoring early Doulton art director Harry Nixon. It features multiple UK design registry numbers (Rd No 931251, 51175, 11085, 375/67), which protected the shape design from forgery during the late 1960s. The hand-painted black letter "N" next to the central vent hole is the unique mark of the specific factory artist who painted this individual figurine.
Signature/Maker’s Mark: Underside (photos #7-8). See less