Robert Harrop Figures Review

Whether you are a collector, enthusiast or just an appreciator of fine artistry, it is likely you will have encountered the Robert Harrop figures. Known for their detailed and endearing characters, often depicting childhood favourites, Robert Harrop figures are well established in the world of collectables. This post will delve into their origins and take you through some of the most notable examples. 

Robert Harrop Figures History

As an already existing modeller with a background in ceramics, Robert Harrop and his wife Margaret established Robert Harrop designs in 1986 from their living room. Having worked as a modeller for many collectable manufactures, Robert saw a gap in the market; wanting to create original and unique designs, evident in the company slogan ‘Originality in design.’ The models are made by being cast in ceramic resin then hand painted, creating a detailed and smooth finish of the finest quality. 

Popular Robert Harrop Figures

The uniqueness of Robert Harrop’s designs is captivated in his initial collection of ‘Doogie People,’ originally named ‘Country Companions.’ Blurring the lines between dogs and humans, the collection highlights Robert’s creativity and willingness to go against the norm. The collection proved to provide the originality that collectors longed for and was a great hit, still being produced 20 years later. The continued success of this range saw the expansion of the company and in 1988 production outgrew Robert and Margaret’s living room into a larger premise, Coalport House in Shropshire. 

Throughout the 1990s the company saw continued success and growth. In 1992, Margaret’s son Matt Buckley joined as creative director and worked closely with Robert to create new and existing characters. In 1994 the ‘Country Companions Collectors Club,’ was launched, leaving members with exclusive access to figures and in receipt of annual free gifts. Furthermore, 1995 saw the first licensed range with Beano and the first figure, BD01, was released in February. This launch proved hugely popular, gaining media attention and remains one of the most popular collections today. This marks the start of the long-standing association with Robert Harrop figures with nostalgia and popular childhood characters. 

The success and popularity of the Beano line led to further licenced collections with the expansion into the ‘Camberwick Green,’ ‘Andy Capp,’ and ‘Wallace and Gromit’ figures. Many of these are still in production and early or limited-edition examples are known to fetch high amounts on the secondary market. 

How much is my Robert Harrop figure worth? 

Some of the most valuable Robert Harrop figures are part of his licenced collections, the combination of artistry skill with known childhood favourite characters has made them a big hit with collectors. For example, the ‘BDB01 Big Dennis Red Nose,’ model generated £600 at auction last year. Similarly, a depiction of Gromit titled ‘A matter of Loaf & Death,’ which was limited to 1000 editions, generated over £300. 

Robert Harrop’s Limited editions of ‘Doogie People,’ (Harrop’s original line) are also known to be popular amongst collectors and enthusiasts. The ‘Bulldog St George,’ figure sold for £95 in 2023 and others figures such as the ‘Bull Terrier Sailors,’ have been known to sell in the region of £50. 

Robert Harrop’s ability to capture fine details and charming characteristics have made the models stand out in the market and prove the test of time. At PM Antiques & Collectables, we have a wide range of Robert Harrop figures to buy online. Additionally, if you are looking to sell your Robert Harrop collection get in touch today to see how much we could offer through our free of charge appraisal service.