Tile depicting Ringo Starr

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

ca.1964

This glazed earthenware tile features an underglaze transfer print depicting the musician Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey), drummer for the Liverpool group The Beatles. The printed design is derived from an original painting and presents a portrait of Starr facing forward. On the front, a reproduction of Ringo Starr's autograph appears below the portrait in the lower left corner, and an artist monogram, recorded as possibly "IW", is positioned at the lower right.

The tile measures 15.2 centimetres in height and 15.2 centimetres in width. It was manufactured by Carter Tiles in Sandbanks and decorated by Dorincourt Potters in Leatherhead, England, around 1964. The reverse features moulded relief lettering reading "CARTER TILES MADE IN ENGLAND", accompanied by black printed lettering stating: "These tiles are produced by kind permission of 'The Beatles' Dorincourt Potters, Oaklawn Rd., Leatherhead Sheltered Industry".

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources: 1
Photograph views: 1
Catalogue references: 0

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

This item is one of a set of five tiles produced in England around 1964 during the height of public enthusiasm for The Beatles. The set consists of individual portraits of each of the four band members and one image showing the group together. It was manufactured amid a large wave of commercial merchandise created in the early 1960s, following licensing agreements overseen by manager Brian Epstein.

Physical characteristics

Material: Glazed earthenware
Dimensions: Height: 15.2 cm; Width: 15.2 cm

Technical characteristics

Inscriptions: Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: In black lettering, verso; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: These tiles are produced by kind permission of "The Beatles" Dorincourt Potters, Oaklawn Rd., Leatherhead Sheltered Industry; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: In relief letters, verso.; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: CARTER TILES MADE IN ENGLAND; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Recto, bottom right; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: Monogram, possibly IW; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required
Maker recorded: Carter Tiles; Dorincourt Potters
Place recorded: Sandbanks, Leatherhead

Identification

Source note: Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
Museum object name: Tile
Museum object number: S.52-2005

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.