Royal Doulton The Balloon Man Value Guide

Designed by the legendary artist Leslie Harradine in 1940, The Balloon Man is a quintessential Royal Doulton character study capturing Edwardian-era London street life. As the celebrated companion piece to The Old Balloon Seller, its long production run until 2009 has made it a cornerstone of British ceramic collections.

What Is Royal Doulton The Balloon Man Worth?

The typical price range for Royal Doulton The Balloon Man is $75 - $82 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition is paramount; check for hairline fractures in the delicate balloon strings or chips in the glaze.
• Earlier production dates, indicated by specific backstamp variations, often command the higher end of the $75-$82 price range.
• The vibrancy of the paint, particularly on the balloons and the vendor's coat, significantly impacts the secondary market value.
• The presence of original box and documentation can help secure a premium price from serious collectors.

How to Identify Royal Doulton The Balloon Man?

• Check the base for the official Royal Doulton lion and crown backstamp and the model number HN1954.
• Verify the artist's signature or initials, as this piece was originally modeled by the renowned Leslie Harradine.
• Examine the glaze for the characteristic fine bone china finish and the specific multi-colored palette of the hand-painted balloons.
• Look for the 'Hand Made and Hand Decorated' notation often found on later 20th-century iterations.

History of Royal Doulton The Balloon Man

Designed by the legendary artist Leslie Harradine and first issued in 1940, The Balloon Man is one of Royal Doulton's most iconic and beloved character studies. It was created as a companion piece to The Old Balloon Seller and was manufactured in various iterations until it was retired in 2009. The figure captures the charm of Edwardian-era street life in London.