| | A COLLECTORS GUIDE TO CROWN DEVON MUSICAL NOVELTIES BY TERRY MOORE | HISTORY Simon Fielding & Co Ltd led the way in the introduction of musical novelties both in the home ande export markets. These wares were embossed with handpainted scenes and characters which complimented the tunes that they played, a verse of which was often incorporated into the decoration. In 1930 the John Peel design was introduced with the production of a half pint mug, a pint mug and a jug. These proved highly successful and further additions were made to the range including a whisky flagon, a salad bowl & servers and a cigarette box. pressure at the lever at the back of the cigarette box started the tune playing and the cigarette container drawer slowly opened. In 1935 further ranges of musical novelties came onto the market, namely Auld Lang Syne and Widdecombe Fair. These were followed one year later by Ilkla Moor, Daisy Bell, Killarney and The Ash Grove. To market these new ranges, Fielding's provided retailers with special custom built stands which had chromium pillars and alcoves. These were provided fully fitted with electric lighting. In 1937, another jug was introduced which was designed by Violet Hayes - The Eton Boating Song Jug. The jug portrayed an Eton Schoolboy handle with embossed modelling on one side depicting the school boat crew against the background of Windsor Castle. The reverse side showed the college together with the founders statue. The idea behind this jug was that it would serve as a memento to Old Etonions of their schooldays. One of theser jugs was given to Queen Mary. The success of the Eton jug encouraged the company to produce jugs for Cambridge, Oxford & Queens University, Belfast. Each tankard had the university badge printed in black on the front, with a deep band of the university colour to the foot. The reverse side was the same for all the jugs - a verse of Auld Lang Syne, printed in gold, with an interlocking hands motif. The proposed coronation of Edward VIII inspired the company to produce their largest and most elaborate musical jugs. Musical mugs were introduced in three sizes, small half pint and pint, together with a large sized jug. The movement fitted played 'God Save The King' The addition of an extra large 1500 limited addition 'super jug' was also produced. All the items leaving the factory after the abndication of Edward VIII had the words 'addicated December 10th 1936 added. Following the abdication, George VI became king and an identical set of musicals was produced for his coronation, only the portraits and names differed from those produced for his predecessor. A new 'limited edition of 1500 super jugs were also made and a second tune, 'here's a health unto his majesty' was available as an alternative to the national anthem. In 1937 one of Kathleen Parsons art deco figurines, Rio Rita was given a musical movement. The base revolved to the tune of 'The Merry Widow'. In the same year a musical cigarette box in the form of a grand piano and a cigarette dispenser made as a black and white terrier in a kennel appeared. The roof of the kennel was detachable and on the activation of a lever, the tune 'Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me A Bow-Wow' played whilst the dog presented the cigarette. In 1938, three new musicals made their appearance, based on popular stars of the day - Harry Lauder, Sandy Powell and Gracie Fields. Two wartime musical mugs were made as the heads of Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill. These played 'Rule Britannia'. Reginald Fielding had always forged close links with overseas customers in order to maximise the export market and this led to the company producing musical novelties for specific countries. The Sarie Marais musical jug and pint tankard were introduced to coincide with his trip to South Africa in 1935. It depicted Veldt scenes in relief mouldings and played a popular boer song. A jug and tankard were presented to the prime minister of South Africa by Ross Fielding in 1943. Another South African jug which was produced wasd the 'Om de Kampvuur (Around the campfire) jug. Two further jugs, the New Zealand 'Haerra-Ra' and the Australian 'Advance Australia Fair' appeared in 1938 after Reginald had visited the countries. The Australian jug deoicted Captain Cook landing amongst the hostile natives and the handle was modelled as a kangaroo. The New Zealand jug had a Maori scene. Sonn afterwards another tankard, jug and cigarette box appeared - Bermuda. It is thought that this series was produced in relatively small numbers. Various musical nurserywares were also produced around this time including Little Red Riding Hood which played 'Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf' and 'Hush A Bye Baby'. Fieldings even introduced musical chamber pots, albeit with a warning that immersion in water would damage the musical movement. One of these chamber pots played 'Oh Landlord Fill The Flowing Bowl' and another depicted Adolf Hitler with the words 'Have this on old nasty' 'Another violation of Poland' and 'Jerry number 1'. A third chamber pot featured a bedroom scene showing the husband in bed and his wife leaving the room with a lighted candle. It played 'Oft in the Stilly Night After the second world war, Fieldings again produced large numbers of musical novelties. Patriotic musical jugs, including 'Rule Britannia' The Star Spangled Banner' and Ther'll Always Be An England' were introduced. Musical movements were also incorporated into some of the art deco jugs of the period Around 1946 the 'Old England' and Hunting Scenes musical jugs also made an appearance and were followed by the Gay Nineties series. Later, a range of plain coloured tankards, together with musical cider mugs came onto the market. In 1953 more musical novelties were produced to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II In 1956, Fieldings began production of a range of moderately priced musical items. These differed from the originals in that they were based on traditional designs but instead of the usual embossment, they were transfer printeds, even though they were still handpainted. The popular designs of the 30s and 40s were reprodu and two new subjects were included - 'The Farmer's Boy' and 'The Sailor's Farewell' which was an adaptation of an earlier lustre decoration. Musical Novelties were still popular in the early 1960s and could still be seen on the company's shelves until 1962. Many previously unknown musical novelties have appeared in the last two or three years, mainly due to the advent of Ebay. It is almost certain that Fieldings made some designs on special order and probably 'one offs' for friends or aquaintences. It is this uncertainty of just which designs exist that drive the many collectors of Crown Devon Musicals.
| The musical movements used by Crown Devon came from various sources including Thorens, Cuendet, Lador and Gueissaz of Switzerland and Reuge of France. There are several diffent sizes of movements made to fit the different sizes of recess in the various items. When buying a musical, you should always listen to the movement, both to make sure that it is playing the correct tune and also to ensure that it is working properly. 
REUGE MUSICAL MOVEMENT NEXT - JOHN PEEL | | 
