Even more collectable is "Cousin Wesley", another character in the same series, but very much rarer. He was was the sixth in the series, was modelled by Ken Holmes, and was released in 1998. Wesley was generally available when opening a "Children’s Bond" for a child under the age of 16, with a 5 year investment of £1000. However it is now understood that some were given away by NatWest branches in a free prize draw in December 1998.
Only 5000 were ever made by Wade.

They are extremely collectable and sell for well in excess of £200. But beware there are a lot of fakes around. See the link below to check out the facts.

Wade - embossed mark

The SUNSHINE CERAMICS STORY
The first batch of pigs was made for the NatWest Bank by Sunshine Ceramics and these pigs do not have a stamp on the bottom. The company was unable to cope with the unexpected demand for the piggy banks and production of the pigs was eventually taken over by Wade Ceramics Ltd.

Sunshine Ceramics started production of the NatWest piggy banks in early 1982 and all of the pigs in the original collection of five were modelled by Paul Cardew, who owned the company, on designs provided to him. He is now well known for the famous teapots he produces at his Cardew Design pottery.

Sunshine Ceramics produced about 400 complete sets of the five pigs, which were pre-launched at various NatWest branches around the country and in addition they produced about 100,000 Woodys before ending production in 1983. We have been told by Sunshine Ceramics that their pigs were not marked on the bottom, whereas all Wade pigs are marked ‘Wade England’. However, recently we have seen documented claims that some of the Annabel pigs issued by the NatWest Bank were marked ‘Made in England’. Unfortunately we are unable to establish who might have produced them and would welcome any information.

The rarest of the NatWest series is undoubtedly the "Gold Woody" who was glazed with 22 carat gold leaf. A limited number were made specially for presentation to the board of directors of the NatWest Bank and at approximately the same time 25 were given as prizes in a Treasure Hunt competition run by the NatWest Piggy Press. All are understood to have been accompanied by a certificate of authenticity of some description. They are exceptionally rare and are therefore unlikely to come on to the market.

Remember that Sunshine Ceramics say they did not make any gold pigs, and all Wade pigs were marked 'Wade England'.

Click here to read the latest on the ever-developing story of the Gold Woody 

Move your mouse over the three images above for more pictures

		FAKE - The Gold Woody pictured above has been inspected by Wade and is a fake.
		FAKE - The Cousin Wesley above with the red hat and shorts and green shirt is a fake.
		FAKE - The Platinum Cousin Wesley, above right, is a fake, as is the Gold Annabel.
		FAKE - There is a fake Cousin Wesley with green hat and shorts and a yellow shirt.
		FAKE - It is claimed that gold Cousin Wesley's were made, but Wade say they would be fakes.

There have been a lot of these white coated Sir Nathaniels around over the past year or so and we are led to believe that they are fakes. They are also sometimes referred to as the “President”. The original story was that a paintress at the Wade factory made two of these models and smuggled them out of the pottery, but there have been many more than two up for sale over the past year, which suggests that they are being mass produced! Wade deny any knowledge of them and you are strongly recommended to avoid them at all costs.