Political and Royal
Collectibles.
Political and Royal collectibles are, put simply, fun! Some are
"serious", but we prefer ones that are satirical, caricatures and just plain outrageous. In
our opinion, Fluck and Law, the creators of the British television show Spitting Image, are the masters of
political, "celebrity" and royal satire. Copied yes, but never beaten for their incisive, and almost
cruel caricatures.
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This trio of Fluck & Law items were made in creamware - Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and
Prince Charles. They are all large pieces (Ronald stands over 10" high), and have some fragility;
Margaret's spout / nose and Charles' most wonderful ears for example.
They are very collectable and they are getting harder to find in complete, undamaged condition.
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Kevin Francis modelled several figures using the "Spitting Image" label. They have some clever
insights; the dagger in Maggie's back (she was constantly being plotted against); Neil Kinnock
- the "prime minister who never was" after he went walkabout on a beach and fell in the sea in full
view of the media cameras - with his red rose handle; and John Major who was portrayed as very grey
and methodical, hence the wind-up key.
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More items from Fluck & Law - the whole Royal Family were produced as eggcups, and seen
here are Princess Diana and the baby, "crying" William.
The handled jug on the right of the two pictures is the Labour leader, Michael Foot. This is
probably the rarest of the Fluck & Law items.
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This is another Kevin Francis, designed by Ray Noble. It is just a single item
-on one side it is Prince Charles .....
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.... and on the other, it is Princess Di.
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Some particular favourites - above is a very unflattering salt and pepper Tony and
Cherie Blair. There is a mustard pot (their son, Leo, as a baby) to complete the set. On the right
is a Bairstow Manor Pottery toby jug of Gordon Brown as a highwayman (robbing every British
taxpayer in sight, naturally!)
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We also like other political / royal "fun" collectibles, like the so-called Russian Dolls; which as
intended, can be very surprising..... What secrets these dolls are hiding? President Bill
Clinton opens to reveal some of the ladies in his life, and Margaret Thatcher again who hides her
distinguished predecessors as Prime Minister - Harold Wilson, Harold MacMillan, Sir Winston Churchill, Lloyd
George, Gladstone, and last (and least....) Disraeli.
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