Why is that Pirate Wearing Red? A Guide to Royal Doulton Colourways

Have you ever looked at a Royal Doulton character jug and thought, "Wait a minute… that doesn't look right"? Maybe the hat is a different shade, or the coat is a completely different color than the one you see in the price guides.

Before you assume it’s a fake or a painting error, look closer. You might have just found a Colourway.

In the world of Royal Doulton, a "Colourway" (or Colorway) is one of the most exciting finds a collector can make. Today, we’re diving into what they are, why they exist, and showcasing two incredible examples of Long John Silver that we currently have in the shop.

What is a Colourway?

Simply put, a Colourway is a figure or jug produced from a standard mold but painted in a non-standard color scheme.

For example, the standard "Long John Silver" jug usually features a black hat and a dark coat. But in a Colourway version, the artist might paint the hat crimson or the coat yellow.

Why Do They Exist?

Royal Doulton didn't just paint these at random. Colourways were usually created for very specific reasons, making them significantly rarer than the standard production run:

• Special Events: Pieces created exclusively for attendees of a specific Michael Doulton event.
• Retailer Exclusives: Special commissions for high-end department stores (like D.H. Holmes or Sinclair's).
• Limited Editions: Small batches made to celebrate an anniversary or historical event.
• Prototypes/Trial Pieces: Experiments by the painters that never went into full production (these are often the "Holy Grails" of collecting).

Spotlight: The Many Faces of Long John Silver

To illustrate just how different—and valuable—these variations can be, let’s look at two rare versions of the pirate Long John Silver that we recently acquired.

1. The "D.H. Holmes" Commission (D6799)

This is a heavy hitter. In 1987, the department store D.H. Holmes in New Orleans commissioned a special run of jugs to celebrate the opening of their Royal Doulton Room.

• The Difference: Instead of the dark tones, this pirate sports a bright yellow shirt and a yellow-green parrot.
• The Scarcity: Only 250 of these were ever made.
• The Detail: Our current piece is #124 of 250, signed by Michael Doulton himself!

2. The "Treasure Chest" Event Jug (D7138)

Fast forward to 1999. For the Michael Doulton Treasure Chest Events, a smaller version of the pirate was released as an exclusive for attendees.

• The Difference: This version features a dark brown shirt, a crimson hat, and a green parrot.
• The Mark: It bears the special "Treasure Chest" backstamp on the bottom, verifying its origin.

Why Collect Colourways?

Scarcity drives value. While a standard Character Jug might have been produced in the thousands over 20 years, a Colourway might be limited to just a few hundred (or less). They add a unique "pop" to a display shelf and are fantastic conversation starters.

Ready to hunt for treasure?
Check your shelves—you might have a rare variation hiding in plain sight! And if you want to add guaranteed rarity to your collection, browse our latest arrivals below.

Shop Our Rare Royal Doulton Collection Here