Considered a rarity, it can bring £300-500 in good condition, with a later reissue in miniature selling for under £50.
However, the figure offered by RWB Auctions (10% buyer’s premium) in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, during its debut sale on January 24 was a more intriguing collector’s piece.
It came from a vendor whose family had owned the piece for well over 70 years,
Although following Noke’s popular model, at 11in (27cm) high it was taller than the production line figure and had a different coloured cloak: a gown of deep red and chocolate browns rather than the scarlet.
Notably the figure lacked a HN number of the type introduced in 1913 and instead has the handwritten inscription Potted by Doulton & Co alongside the signature Charles Noke Sc.
Estimated at £300-500, it sold for £3800.