Royal Doulton | Biddy Pennyfarthing | HN 1843 | Bone China Figurine | England, introduced 1938

Royal Doulton | Biddy Pennyfarthing | HN 1843 | Bone China Figurine | England, introduced 1938

She has a balloon for every colour of the day and a flower for anyone who stops long enough to look.

Designed by Leslie Harradine, Biddy Pennyfarthing was introduced to the Royal Doulton HN range in 1938 and remained in production for several decades, becoming one of the most recognisable figures in the street vendor series. Where The Old Balloon Seller is a seated study in stillness, Biddy is animated and forward-moving — caught mid-sale, one hand extended with flowers, her balloons rising behind her in a bright, shifting arc. The subject draws on the long tradition of London street trading, and the modelling gives her a directness and warmth that sets her apart within the range.

The figure depicts an older woman standing upright and slightly turned, her weight carried forward. She wears a pale green-white skirt with a white apron, the bib detailed with black buttons and small amber accents. A dark green shawl with a purple-edged border falls in broad folds over her shoulders, with a purple underskirt visible at the hem. Her head is covered with a dark scarf decorated with multicoloured floral detail, and a dark purple ribbon is tied at the throat.

In her right hand, she holds a small bouquet of flowers in pink and amber tones. Behind her left shoulder rises a cluster of balloons in green, yellow, purple, orange and deep burgundy, each finished in a high-gloss glaze that contrasts with the softer tones of the figure. A small wicker basket hangs at her side, also filled with flowers. The face is notably expressive, with a broad, open smile that gives the figure its sense of movement and character.

The figure is in very good condition. There are no chips, cracks, or repairs. Light crazing is present, largely confined to the underside of the skirt. Minor variations in glaze texture are visible across the surface. The colours remain strong and well preserved.

Key Details

• Maker: Royal Doulton
• Designer: Leslie Harradine
• Title: Biddy Pennyfarthing
• HN Number: HN 1843
• Introduced: 1938
• Material: Bone china
• Origin: England
• Height: 23 cm
• Weight: 610 g
• Condition: Very good — light crazing to the underside; no chips, cracks or repairs

Collector Appeal

Biddy Pennyfarthing is among the more animated and display-oriented figures in the Royal Doulton street vendor series, making it particularly appealing to collectors who favour movement and colour over the more static compositions. The arrangement of flowers, balloons and richly coloured garments gives the figure a particularly lively presence, while the intact balloon cluster preserves an important element of Harradine’s original composition.

The difference between Biddy and the Old Balloon Seller is the difference between someone who has settled into the day and someone still trying to sell it.