Vintage Royal Doulton Bunnykins 7 5/8” Dessert Plate, Airmail Delivery, Signed Barbara Vernon, Circa 1937 - 1953

Details

Vintage Royal Doulton Bunnykins 7 5/8” Dessert Plate, Airmail Delivery, Signed Barbara Vernon, Circa 1937 - 1953.
Description: Cream-colored Albion shape dessert plate with “Airmail Delivery” design. It is signed by Barbara Vernon on the bottom left.
The backstamp has the Royal Doulton England Emblem with “Made in England” & “Bunnykins”. This backstamp and signature date this plate circa 1937 – 1953. It is in very good preowned condition with no chips, cracks, crazing, or color loss. There is very minimal minor wear on the design. Some faint utensil marks.
Please carefully inspect all photos as they are part of this description. Note that this is a vintage item and as such, some minor imperfections may be present. Let me know if you have any questions or would like to see more photos prior to purchasing.
The item is clean and has been stored in a clean, dry, smoke-free environment.
Ships 1-2 Business Days.
Will be carefully packed for protection during shipping.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Bunnykins tableware was introduced in 1934. The line was created created by Barbara Vernon Bailey. Her father, Cuthbert Bailey, was the general manager of Royal Doulton. Barbara was not a professional illustrator – she had no formal training – but she loved to draw & paint from a young age. Barbara trained as a nurse and teacher. At age 19 she became a Catholic nun: Sister Mary Barbara – and taught at her convent’s school. She received permission to create the artwork as long as it remained secret and did not interfere with her teaching duties, prayer and devotions. It was also stipulated that neither she nor the convent would accept any monetary gain from her work.
Sister Mary Barbara provided illustrations to the designers at Doulton. The earliest pieces, created in the 1930s, were often signed “Barbara Vernon”, and these pieces are the most valuable.
Interesting Fact: On early pieces, religious references may be found, for example, early mother bunnies often wore blue in honor of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The Bunnykins line of dishes was an instant hit and, for the next several years, Sister Mary Barbara continued to draw the designs, which were carried out at Royal Doulton by artist Hubert Light. It was Light who added the familiar border of running rabbits.
Its popularity became worldwide after it was adopted by the British royal family’s young daughters, princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.
Bunnykins was produced in England until 2005.