EXCEPTIONALLY RARE ROYAL DOULTON 1938 THE BOOKWORM YELLOW BORDER WALL PLATE (PROFESSIONAL SERIES D5905)

RARE ROYAL DOULTON PROFESSIONAL SERIES WARE TRANSFER PLATE, ENTITLED "THE BOOKWORM". THIS D5905 YELLOW RIMMED BOOKWORM PLATES WERE ONLY IN PRODUCTION FOR 2 SHORT YEARS FROM 1938 TO 1939 AND ARE CONSIDERED ONE THE MOST VALUABLE OF THE PROFESSIONALS SERIES-WARE PLATES. THE PLATE HAS AS ITS' CENTRAL MOTIF A SCHOLARLY GENTLEMAN SEATED IN HIS LIBRARY READING A BOOK SURROUNDED BY A YELLOW BAND. THE BORDER IS A CONTINUOUS DISPLAY OF CLOSED AND OPEN BOOKS.
 
AN EARLIER VERSION OF THE BOOKWORM PLATE WITH A GREEN BORDER D3089 WERE IN PRODUCTION FROM 1909 TO 1918. THE YELLOW CIRCLE AROUND THE PORTRAIT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO ADD SOME WARMTH TO THE BACKGROUND AND RIM TO MAKE THIS SERIES MORE ATTRACTIVE BECAUSE OF ITS RICHER COLOURS. HOWEVER THE YELLOW BORDER PLATE WAS ONLY IN PRODUCTION FOR 2 YEARS FROM 1938 TO 1939 BEFORE THE GREAT WAR STARTED. THE D5905 IS HENCE CONSIDERED THE MOST VALUABLE OF THE PROFESSIONALS SERIES WARE PLATES. PLEASE HAVE A LOOK ONLINE AS TO PRICES ASKED FOR THIS PLATE. I HAVE ADDED A FEW PHOTOS IN THIS REGARD AS WELL. THIS PLATE WITH ITS CLEAR HANDPAINTED TOUCHES DOES NOT COME UP VERY OFTEN ON AUCTION.
 
THERE ARE NINE PROFESSIONALS SERIES WARE PLATES: THE JESTER, THE ADMIRAL, THE FALCONER, THE PARSON, THE DOCTOR, THE HUNTING MAN, THE MAYOR, THE SQUIRE AND THE BOOKWORM. ROYAL DOULTON PRODUCED THIS PROFESSIONAL SERIES FROM 1909 TO 1940.
 
SIZE: 26CM DIAMETER 2CM HIGH
 
CONDITION: NO CHIPS. NO CRACKS. ARTWORK BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL.
 
ROYAL DOULTON:
In 1899 the Doulton studio recruited a young designer by the name of Charles Noke.
He is now regarded as the brainchild behind Royal Doulton seriesware, a range of products were standard blank pottery shapes (everything from plates to jugs, bowls to vases and teapots) could be decorated with a consistent theme.
Production continued at the Lambeth factory until 1956, after which Doulton concentrated on their activities at Burslem.
It has a 'family' of English brands, having merged with Minton in 1968, and gaining Royal Albert from the merger with AEP in 1971. And, in 2005, these historic names became part of the Waterford Wedgwood group.
It is now part of WWRD Holdings Ltd. the name being an acronym for the main components of the business: Waterford Chrystal, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton.

MARKINGS:
ON BACK THE DISTINGUISHABLE ROYAL DOULTON TRADEMARK GREEN BACKSTAMP LOGO WITH THE FAMOUS INTERLOCKING DS, THE CROWN, THE LION, AND THE ROUNDEL WITH TEXT MADE IN ENGLAND ROYAL DOULTON MADE IN ENGLAND. USED FROM 1920S ONWARDS. BETWEEN 1901 AND 1922 THIS BACKSTAMP WAS ALSO USED BUT HAD ONLY ENGLAND (NOT MADE IN ENGLAND) ON THE BACK.
ALSO THE D NUMBER D5905 WHICH WHEN LOOKED UP GIVE THE EARLIEST YEAR OF PRODUCTION AS 1938.
THE 1940S - 1950S THE COMPANY BEGAN REGISTERING ITS DESIGNS IN ALL THE COUNTRIES THEY EXPORTED TO. AFTER 1947 THEY PUT 4 DIFFERENT REGISTRATION NUMBERS RELATING TO SPECIFIC REGIONS GREAT BRITAIN (LOWEST NUMBER), AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA AND NEW ZEALAND. THE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE NO LONGER USED AFTER 1960.

PLEASE ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED. I HAVE VARIOUS OTHER PORCELAIN ITEMS ALSO ON AUCTION THIS WEEK. COPY THE URL UNDERNEATH AND PASTE INTO GOOGLE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO ALL MY LISTINGS THIS WEEK.
https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/3685641/ErnRex1545