by Carole Murdock

There is a popular TV commercial for I-Phone and Blackberries in the United States, and I am sure in England and other countries, telling us that no matter what we need or want to know, “There’s an app for that!”   That would be application for those of us computer illiterates.  An app could be considered as an addition to enrich our lives.

I am sure you are wondering what this has to do with Wade collecting.  The connection came to me a few days after Honey, an 8 year-old blond Labrador came to live with my husband and me.  We already have a black lab, Winnie (the Pooh) so with a quick spelling change, Honey became Hunny (Winnie the Pooh’s favorite treat), and we are now all living in what is becoming the Hundred  Acre Wood.

We  never thought we would  have a light-colored dog as we have always had black dogs, usually black Labradors.  Suddenly an environment and clothing style once geared to living with a black dog became a hairy nightmare.  However, with a bulk purchase of lint rollers from Costco, our world is settling down.  And with the enjoyment of our new family member, and dusting away the dog hairs, I came across my Wade Pups at Play figurine of the roly poly yellow and black labs.  As I carried the pups upstairs to a more visible display location, I thought to myself, “Why, there is a Wade for everything!”

Then I began thinking of how Wade has had a knack throughout the years of making figurines and porcelain items that appeal to men, women, and children.   In actuality, we are all childlike when we collect.  We get excited thinking about what we need to add to our collections, we love the search, and we are ecstatic with our finds.  

After one of the Pennsylvania Wade Fests, my husband and I took the train into New York City to visit my son, Mike and daughter-in-law, Leslie.  She likes lovely things, but her collections revolve around jewelry and shoes rather than porcelain.  When I was unpacking my things, I pulled the large Arundel Swan out of my bag.  Leslie looked at it and said admiringly,” I don’t know why but I am so intrigued with swans.”

 “It’s yours!” I said.  She and my son now live in Nevada and the swan is on her dresser—with her jewelry.

Now they have a darling little girl named Ella, and Leslie was telling me how she wanted to have some Alice in Wonderland drawings framed for Ella’s room.   So I asked Leslie if she would like the 1999 Wade Alice membership piece and the Mabel Lucie Atwell figures of Alice and Mad Hatter to put on Ella’s bureau.  She did!  Ella now sleeps with the plush version of Gingie Bear. Then there is the Bassett hound puppy from the 1999 Puppy Love Series named Ella.  I am hesitant to explain to Leslie that she has inadvertently added Wade collecting to her other interests, and I am wondering when I should break the news to her that the 2010 Wade Club Membership Series is a new Alice in Wonderland set.

 In college, Michael went to the University of Colorado whose mascot is the buffalo.  As a Colorado Buff graduate what do you think his brother gave him for a graduation gift?  The 1978 Survival Series Bison, of course.  While in college, Michael went to Disney World one summer as part of Disney’s college internship program.  After that summer, he came home and put his name sticker on the bottom of my Snow White and Seven Dwarfs set.  (Like in when Mom’s gone, this is mine.)

When my sons were in elementary school, their favorite teacher gifts were Whimsies.  Even today when I meet up with their now-retired teachers, they tell me they still have the little animals sitting on their shelves.

Enough about my personal Wade collectors and more about Wade for everyone and every interest.  If you like miniatures, there are Whimsies, WhimsieLand, Minikins, Hat Box figures, the Wade Fest Tinies, and villages, etc.  If you are a Disney fan, Wade made Disney figures, large and small, and children’s tea service pieces.  If you like animals, Wade made too many to mention in all shapes and sizes from realistic to whimsical.

 Wade figurines celebrate Ireland, England, America and other countries in porcelain as well as historic people and events.   If you are into comics, Wade immortalized Betty Boop, Garfield, Felix, Dougal, Andy Capp & Flo, Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo, Snoopy and others.  As to children’s tales in porcelain, Wade commemorated, Noddy & friends, Thomas Tank Engine & friends, Nursery characters, Dracula, Alice in Wonderland, Camelot, etc.  If you like money, there are numerous Wade money boxes.  Circus lovers, car, truck, train enthusiasts can locate their special Wade.  If drinking is your thing, check out the pub ware, mugs, and liquor decanters.  Those intrigued with advertising memorabilia have Ringtons, Tetley, Red Rose Tea, Bells, Chivas, pharmaceutical items, and many other Wades to choose from. Whether you are interested in souvenirs, commemorative items, beautiful ladies in porcelain, decorating, eating, cooking, lighting your homes, or just spelling out your name with the new alphabet letters, there exists a Wade just for you

When my daughter-in-law told Ella, almost three, that Gramma and Grampa had adopted a dog named Hunny as a friend for Winnie, Ella asked, “Hunny and Winnie like in Winnie the Pooh?”  We think that was quite a precocious connection that she made.  And, I think that is a great hint to Wade for a future collection-- Winnie the Pooh and Friends.  As far as I know, there is yet no Wade for that.

0845 2462525or from overseas +44 845 246 2525, or e-mail us at club@wadecollectorsclub.co.uk

Winnie and Hunny

Pups at Play

Ella the Bassett hound

1999 Alice in Wonderland