The Hoopoe bird was modelled by Colin Melbourne in the experimental studio in the early 1950’s.
In the 1952 ‘publication’ three Hooepoe’s can be seen on a shelf in the studio. It is also seen in a later ‘Jolly Potter’ photo in the factory.
It is not known how many were produced but it is likely to be a very small number.
The one photographed was still in the Wade factory in 2022 and was purchased from the administration auction at Potteries specialist auctions on ….. and is now in the GEORGE WADE collection.
Another version of the hoopoe was seen in a Stoke on Trent auction in the early 2000’s with a 1930’s style wade hand written back stamp. it is assumed that this back stamp was added to the piece later to try and add provenance. Most Colin Melbourne pieces have no back stamp
