Royal Doulton | Biddy Pennyfarthing | HN 1843 | Porcelain Figurine | England, introduced 1937

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

Biddy Pennyfarthing was introduced to the Royal Doulton HN range in 1937 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 age-related crazing is present, largely confined to the underside of the skirt. Minor variation in glaze texture is visible across the surface, consistent with earlier production rather than damage. The colours remain strong and well-preserved.

Key Details

• Maker: Royal Doulton
• Title: Biddy Pennyfarthing
• HN Number: HN 1843
• Introduced: 1937
• Material: Porcelain
• Origin: England
• Height: 23 cm
• Weight: 610 g
• Condition: Very good — minor age-related crazing to 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. Models associated with this theme, and often linked stylistically to the work of Leslie Harradine, continue to attract steady interest. Examples in clean condition, with strong colour and intact balloon clusters, remain consistently desirable within the HN range.

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.