Winston Churchill and World War II
Neville Chamberlain
Dated 1939, yet without reference to the outbreak of war, this mug must have been made in the earlier part of the year and possibly bought by someone hoping and praying against the terrible inevitable. Chamberlain was nicknamed "the Umbrella Man" in the British press. Adolph Hitler made disparaging remarks about Chamberlain's use of the umbrella. The production of the mug therefore may have been in support of Chamberlain with his umbrella as a symbol of British stubborness or as a criticism of him confronting Hitler without any real threat.
War is declared
Mugs for World War One are very common and there is a great variety of transfers. World War Two is however a different matter. This is the only transfer I have seen commemorating the date of the start of World War Two. It appears on jugs made by the same company and presumably other tableware. Despite the basic manufacture and the large crack which make this mug of little monetary value, it is worth preserving because of its apparent rarity.
Hilter's Terror Bulldog
This sitting bulldog has no maker's name. The helmet, the added word "Hitler" and the camoflage colouring make it an interesting comparison to the much more common Doulton bulldog.
Clarice Cliff toby jug
Unlike the earlier two items which would have been inexpensive to buy, roughly handled and discarded even if not damaged, this toby jug will have spent its lifetime as a treasured item rarely allowed outside a china cabinet. Subsequently it, and probably all the rest of the limited edition, is in perfect condition. The size, style and colouring make it an excellent complement for the Carruthers Gould set of 11 World War One personalities. However being the only issue for World War Two, being Winston Churchill and having a Clarice Cliff signature make it worth on its own almost half the cost of the World War One set.