I collect royal doulton bunnykins tableware, and initially when I began collecting, I had trouble trying to determine when a piece dated from and telling whether it was an early, or a later piece.

That is why I thought this guide may be helpful to others in dating bunnykins tableware.  I have given some examples from my own collection with the information.

There are a few hints to determining the age of a piece, the backstamp, the shape and colour.   Bunnykins was originally designed by a nun sister Mary Barbara Vernon, and her name is seen on wares up until the mid 1950's.   

Backstamps

Firstly the backstamps 

1.The following stamp is the first stamp dating 1937-53 featuring the bunnys under the royal doulton logo and the word "Bunnykins" below this.  Early pieces sometimes have the green royal doulton stamp as well as shown here during 1930's and 40's.  Very early examples from 1934-37 may just have the royal doulton stamp on its own with a small number next to it, or just the word "bunnykins" below it.

Some early doulton ware also has an impressed date mark making it easy to date, eg 11.40 would mean production date of november 1940.

You may have also seen the bunnykins stamp without colouring, just a black outline in monochrome.  Apparantly this was used from approx 1942-8, then the coloured stamp was used once again.

2. The following stamp was used from 1954-58, this one says copyright 1954.

3. R in a circle and regd trade mark is added below the bunnykins motif, this stamp below dates to 1959-75 on earthenware. 

4. after 1967 the following stamp is usually seen, english fine bone china is added bellow the bunny motif as shown here, this stamp dates from 1968-75.  The wares changed from earthenware to bone china.  With this it is easy to see a more white colour to the wares.  Prior to this, the earlier pieces have a more yellow/cream colouring. 

5. the following stamp has the copyright 1936 royal doulton (UK).  People often seem to make the mistake of thinking because it has the date 1936 on it that this is when the item dates to.  This is not correct, this stamp with the copyright is seen on later pieces (1976-87).  After this, the copyright date 1988 is seen from 1988-93, then it reverts back to the copyright 1936 post 1993. 

There are different variations of this stamp shown on more modern bunnykins wares. but they all show the copyright logo (c in a circle), which is not seen on earlier wares.

Shapes and colours

Another indicator of when a piece dates from is the shape.  Many shapes were discontinued, or changed over time.  Below are some examples of the different cup shapes, from left to right the casino teacup, don one handled mug and two handled mug (don mugs ceased in 1983), and the handled don beaker.  From 1979 the more squat shape of the hug a mug with turned out top rim was introduced.

Don beakers date from 1937-89.  early examples have the border of bunnies running around the inside of the top rim, then they changed to the outer rim

The casino shaped teapots, jugs and sugar bowl were withdrawn by 1968, with the exception of the teacups and saucer which continued production.

Here are the 3 examples of eggcup shapes, from left to right footed (1940-68), footless (1937-68) and semi-footed (1968-present).

The large heavy bowls and oval bowls, bread and butter plate with tab handles, porridge plate (which is like a large shallow bowl), beaker covers, jam pot had all been withdrawn by 1968 or before, so can be more difficult to find.  The rimmed fruit saucer or jaffa bowl as it is sometimes called, changed from a wavy rim to a plain rim in 1950.

here is an example of the wavy rimmed jaffa fruit saucer (1937-1950) and a plain rim one (1950-2000)

The lidded hot water plate dates from 1940-69, with the 2 stopper version introduced in 1952.

The beaker pad or cover, looks like a small pin dish and is 9 cm diameter, as a rule eggcups and beaker pads do not have the barbara vernon signature, but there are rare examples of signed pieces around.

The small round baby bowls as shown below, changed shape in 1978 from the shape on the left, to the one seen on the right with straighter sides and a outer top lip which protrudes further than the base.  Note again the colour change from yellow to more white in the more recent piece.

During the 1930's, there was a small range of pieces made of fine white china.  These pieces are generally rare, highly valued and sought after by collectors. 

If anyone is serious about collecting bunnykins, you can't go past a good reference book such as the Charlton Standard Catalogue Royal Doulton Bunnykins by Jean Dale and Louse Irvine for a comprehensive list of patterns, backstamps, shapes and prices.  This book has been one source for my information here.

In conclusion, with the combination of factors including the pattern, backstamp, shape and colour it is possible to date your bunnykins pieces quite accurately.

I hope this guide has been helpful.  I often get people emailing me asking for help with their bunnykins pieces.  I am always happy to help out where I can, just message my id through the ebay system with any questions.

thankyou for taking the time to read my guide and happy collecting!