Collecting Royal Doulton Bunnykins is a thriving hobby, with approximately 400 figures to find, fluctuating from the common to dinky editions. At any given moment there are over 1000 Bunnykins figures for sale on eBay with the rarest figures commanding high prices.
Originally six figures were produced in 1939, with production ceasing during World War 2. These six primary figures are very rare and cost between £500 and £2000. The six primary figures are “Billy”, “Mary”, “Farmer”, “Mother”, “Freddie”, and “Reggie”. Of these “Mary” turns up on eBay the most, one recently selling for £681. Less common figures sell for more, with “Reggie” recently achieving £1500 on eBay.
After the war production was not resumed until Royal Doulton purchased the Beswick factory where the first of the modern figures were produced in 1972. This range of figures is labelled “Db” and now numbers over 400 figures, varying in rarity and value. Many dinky editions have been produced, most notably, Happy Millennium Bunnykins Tableau, of which only two have been produced one is in the Royal Doulton Museum and the other sold at auction in 2000 for £9,800.
eBay has driven prices of Royal Doulton Bunnykins down, and eBay auctions for common Bunnykins rarely reach more than half the sell price or book value. However, the dinky editions continue to hold their value well especially the dinky editions with low issue numbers. For example, the Bunnykins Oompah Band, has been issued three times. The first, the red version, was issued between 1984 and 1990 and sell for £40-45 per figure on eBay. The second edition, the blue version, was produced in a dinky edition of 250, and sells for £200-300 per figure. Interestingly the 3rd, the green version was also produced in a dinky edition of 250, as yet not seen on eBay by myself.
As well as dinky versions, prototypes and one off variations occasionally find their way onto the market. Genuine examples command high prices on eBay, recently a prototype of Father Bunnykins, which normally sells for £15-£20, sold for £700.
Royal Doulton Bunnykins are great to collect and whilst the prices are low they are a good investment.
For more on Royal Doulton visit http://www.royaldoultonguide.com
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