Royal Doulton Battle of Britain Tankard, Limited Edition Number 6000
This Royal Doulton Battle of Britain tankard is a fine bone china commemorative piece, issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It is individually numbered 6000 and is offered with its original certificate of authenticity. The tankard is based on an original work by leading aviation artist Geoff Hunt.
Fine Bone China Design and Notable Features
The tankard is made from fine bone china by Royal Doulton and has a cylindrical form with a moulded handle and a flat base. The body is decorated with a wartime scene of a Supermarine Spitfire in flight, bearing the RAF roundel and the code letters XT-D, set against a soft sky of clouds. A second view of the tankard shows Spitfires in formation with a group of smaller aircraft. A blue band with the words “Battle of Britain 1940” runs around the upper body, and blue bands with gold line detailing appear at the rim and base. The underside carries the Royal Doulton mark, the Battle of Britain Tankard inscription, the limited edition wording and Churchill’s quotation, “Never was so much owed by so many to so few”, attributed to W. S. Churchill, 1940. The base also bears the artist’s signature, Geoff Hunt, and the copyright date 1989. The matching certificate was signed by Stuart R. Lyons, Chairman of Royal Doulton Limited, and states that the edition was limited to fourteen thousand seven hundred and fifty pieces.
Condition, Originality and Collector Interest
The tankard is presented with its original certificate, which is numbered 6000 to match the number inscribed on the base, supporting its originality as a numbered edition piece. The gilt rims and blue banding appear bright, and the decoration is clearly defined. Buyers should note that no separate condition report is supplied, so any further details are available on request before bidding. Commemorative Royal Doulton pieces linked to the Battle of Britain, particularly those bearing a signed artwork credit and a numbered certificate, are of interest to collectors of aviation memorabilia, wartime commemoratives and Royal Doulton tankards alike.
