Where's the Comparison?

Royal Crown Derby Miniature Houses

Marilyn's email from 6th July 2004 with later revisions:

When was asked at the 15th Anniversary in 2005 how unique Hazle Ceramics were Eric Knowles replied, “I’ve never seen any others. I mean that’s what caught my eye.”

This is obviously good, but does make them difficult to compare on price with much else. The closest items seem to be Royal Crown Derby's ceramic 3D Miniature Houses - which do have a certain charm. Described as "hand decorated" this apparently means that the decals (transfers) are applied by hand! About 4 inches high and three-dimensional, they should really be compared with Hazle's similar sized 3D ranges. But Miniature Houses actually cost more than Hazle flatbacks...

Sweet Shop	Greengrocer

Features Comparison

Retail Prices

Founded in 1750, presumably Royal Crown Derby can charge that much because they are a household name with a long-established presence in gift and china shops.

The Village by Annie Rowe

From Marilyn on 4th November 2005:

Several members saw some flatbacks on eBay described as "like Hazle Ceramics". Stephen says they were from a UK company called Western House Gifts who outsourced abroad. Although not forgeries, the stylistic similarities (size, scale and themes) suggest that Hazle’s designs were adapted with cruder modelling and painting. I didn't save those photos but this Annie Rowe teapot from eBay gives some idea.

From Yorkshire Karen:

I did look at these ceramics, mainly in shock that they could be described as “like Hazle Ceramics”! The detail is non existent and the quality even looks awful on the small photographs. It helps me to realize what wonderful quality Hazles are - as if I didn’t already know! I suppose it makes our collections look even better value or does that just sound like an excuse to extend them?!

From Carolyne:

When I first saw these I thought, "What a cheek - how dare they purport to be like Hazles - they are nothing like at all!" Then I thought that any genuine Hazle collector or enthusiast would probably scoff first and laugh next. The only slight downside could be that a potential new or novice collector might compare, but then again once a Hazle is seen and touched there is no comparison.

From Marilyn on 9th October 2006:

Lilliput Lane

While speaking on uniqueness in 2005, Eric referred to Lilliput Lane and David Winter Cottages as fantasy pieces for little gnomes to inhabit! When asked about the resin used to make them he said, “What can I say? It's an amazing medium for portraying detail.” But he went on to add that, in common with the material used for die-cast toy cars, resin may fracture over time casting doubts on the long-term investment value.

Resin is poured into a rubbery mould to set without baking. With several firings in the kiln and much loss of work, Hazle Ceramics cannot compete on price. But this traditional, laborious process contributes to their longevity.

Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppes Photos are roughly to scale
Lilliput Lane (resin) RRP £45	Hazle Ceramics £50

At £45 the Lilliput Lane above is more expensive than some of the others because it has a hinged front, enabling you to look inside the shop which is unusual.

Both pieces were on display in Harvey Weston at the Signing in November 2005. On seeing the Lilliput version Hazle exclaimed, "They've made it into a cottage!" and thought the added cottagey features weren't authentic to the real building. To compare properly the Hazle photo should be at an angle - as the modelling is less visible here.