Philip Laureston Houses

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The first question is, how to identify a Philip Laureston house.  

 

Well this is relatively easy, as they all have;

 

A ridge around the back of the model which leaves a sunken area in the middle. I presume this is a technique to save plaster.

 

A ‘back stamp’ with the name Philip Laureston, the style of which

varies.

 

A number, which I presume is a mould number, rather than a

unique model number, as several models have the same number

but different names on the front.

 

 

 

 

 

Some houses have an alphabetic prefix to the number such as EV or FB.

 

It has been suggested that these are the initials of the decorators, but if so it is not clear why most houses do not have them.

 

Alternatively FB could refer to an Italian importer (see a copy of the catalogue on the Italian Catalogue page).

 

In the Photo Gallery I have listed all the houses I have with a link to a page showing a photo of that model, front and back.

 

I do not know if this was an attempt to boost sales, or just a natural improvement in the range but I have seen a number of the more basic houses with and without greenery. By that I mean ivy growing up a wall or round a door etc.

 

As they are made of plaster they are very easy to chip and scratch and the surface is very porous. However this makes touching in any damage with water colours an easy thing to do.

 

Finally I do have some houses unpainted in their original white plaster. On the 1992 Price List it shows that some models were sold as ‘do it yourself’ kits. The mix of models seems to have been at the potteries discretion.