Table of Contents
- Why Authentic British Cartoon Character Mugs Are Worth Collecting
- Quick Comparison: The Roobarb & Custard Mug Collection
- 1. Roobarb & Custard Mug: The Ultimate Wobbly Duo
- 2. Custard Collage Mug: For Fans of the Smuggest Cat
- 3. Roobarb Collage Mug: Channel the Green Dog's Energy
- 4. Garden Scene Mug: A Slice of 1970s Nostalgia
- 5. The Birds Mug: A Cheeky Nod to the Classic Series
- 6. Running Mug: On Your Marks for a Brew
- How to Identify Authentic Retro Mugs
- Collectable Cartoon Mugs UK: What to Look For
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: 16 September 2026
Why Authentic British Cartoon Character Mugs Are Worth Collecting
Walk into any charity shop and you will find a shelf of faded cartoon mugs, most of them unlicensed tat printed on cheap ceramic that peels within a year. That is precisely why authentic British cartoon character mugs from the 1970s animation era have become genuinely collectable. This guide from Roobarb and Custard walks through seven official mugs from one of the most fondly remembered series in British television history, each coated and printed in the UK with a Duraglaze finish tested to BS EN 12875-4 standards.
The appeal is not complicated. A mug is the one piece of memorabilia you actually use every single day, which is why it outlasts the boxed figurine gathering dust on a shelf. Fans who grew up with the wobbly animation of Roobarb the green dog and Custard the smug pink cat now want something they can hold over a proper cup of tea. Below, we break down seven designs, what separates them, and how to spot the difference between official merchandise and a knock-off.
Quick Comparison: The Roobarb & Custard Mug Collection
All seven mugs share the same core specification: 11oz ceramic, £14.99, dishwasher proof, microwave-friendly, and finished with a Duraglaze coating that is tested to survive over 2,000 washes without fading.
What differs is the artwork and the finish. Here is the full line-up at a glance:
| Mug | Design Style | Artwork Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roobarb & Custard Mug | Coloured insert | Both characters together | Fans who want the duo |
| Custard Collage Mug | Coloured insert | Custard alone | Cat lovers |
| Roobarb Collage Mug | Coloured insert | Roobarb alone | Dog lovers |
| Garden Scene Mug | Coloured insert | The garden setting | Scene fans |
| The Birds Mug | Coloured insert | The cackling birds | Quirky gift-givers |
| Running Mug | Black two-tone | Sporty running scene | Office desks |
| Spikes Mug | Black two-tone | Custard at the fence | Cheeky humour fans |
1. Roobarb & Custard Mug: The Ultimate Wobbly Duo
If you only buy one, buy this one. It puts the world's most enthusiastic green dog and the smuggest pink cat on the same mug, which is the whole point of the show: that rivalry.
The design leans on the 1970s look rather than a modern redraw, so it reads as genuine television memorabilia rather than a novelty gift. It suits anyone who grew up humming the theme tune, and it works as a birthday, Mother's Day or Father's Day present.
Price: £14.99. Capacity: 11oz. Care: dishwasher proof, microwave-friendly.
2. Custard Collage Mug: For Fans of the Smuggest Cat
Custard carries this one alone, and honestly, he earns it. The collage format pulls together his cheekiest moments from across the series, so you get a spread of expressions rather than a single static pose.
This is the pick for cat lovers who always found the pink feline funnier than the dog. The vibrant pink print is the element most likely to suffer on a cheap mug, which makes the Duraglaze coating the real selling point here.
Price: £14.99. Capacity: 11oz. Care: dishwasher proof, microwave-friendly.
3. Roobarb Collage Mug: Channel the Green Dog's Energy
Roobarb gets his own collage, and it is the busiest of the set. Wacky schemes, triumphant poses and the general chaos of a dog who never quite got his inventions right.
Where the Custard mug is smug, this one is pure optimism. It suits the fan who remembers rushing to the television for the theme tune, and it makes a cheerful desk mug for anyone who needs a bit of that energy at work.
Price: £14.99. Capacity: 11oz. Care: dishwasher proof, microwave-friendly.
4. Garden Scene Mug: A Slice of 1970s Nostalgia
The garden is where the show actually happened, and this mug treats it as a proper illustrated scene rather than a character portrait. You get Roobarb mid-invention with Custard offering his usual commentary from the fence.
It is the most atmospheric of the seven, which makes it the strongest choice if you want something that looks like a piece of animation art rather than a character badge. Buyers who want a gift for someone who has not thought about the show in decades tend to do well with this one.
Price: £14.99. Capacity: 11oz. Care: dishwasher proof, microwave-friendly.
5. The Birds Mug: A Cheeky Nod to the Classic Series
The cackling birds were never the leads, which is exactly why this mug works. It is the insider reference, the one that makes a fellow fan smile while everyone else wonders what they are looking at.
Roobarb & Custard Mug – 11oz Ceramic →
For a quirky gift, that is a stronger play than a straightforward character portrait. It also suits anyone who already owns the main duo mugs and wants something different on the shelf.
Price: £14.99. Capacity: 11oz. Care: dishwasher proof, microwave-friendly.
6. Running Mug: On Your Marks for a Brew
The two-tone finish sets this apart. A black inner and matching black handle give it a sharper, more modern look than the coloured insert designs, while the wrap-around artwork shows Roobarb, Custard and their little mouse friend jogging along in sporty shorts.
This is the one for an office desk. The dark interior hides tea stains better than a pale one, and the wrap-around print means the design stays visible whichever way the handle is turned.
Price: £14.99. Capacity: 11oz. Care: dishwasher proof, microwave-friendly.
How to Identify Authentic Retro Mugs
Authentic retro mugs are identified by the finish and testing standards, not by the picture alone. A genuine licensed mug will name its coating and its wash-test standard; a knock-off rarely will.
For collectable cartoon mugs in the UK, the practical checks are straightforward:
- Look for a named coating such as Duraglaze and a stated wash-test standard
- Confirm the design is authentic and from the official shop
- Check that the mug is dishwasher proof and microwave-friendly
- Buy from the official store where possible, since resold reprints are the most common source of disappointment
The British Standards Institution guidance on ceramic ware standards explains why wash-test standards matter for printed tableware, and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute guidance on counterfeit goods sets out your rights if an item turns out not to be genuine.
Collectable Cartoon Mugs UK: What to Look For
Collectable cartoon mugs in the UK hold their appeal because the series they celebrate does. Roobarb and Custard ran as a short series in the 1970s, and the audience is now buying for itself and for its children.
Two things drive value in this niche: the authenticity of the print and the condition of the finish. A mug that has faded after a year in a dishwasher has no resale value. A mug that still looks new after years of daily use does.
If you are building a set rather than buying a single gift, start with the duo mug and add the collages. That gives you the two leads, then the supporting designs. The Intellectual Property Office guidance on licensed merchandise is worth a read if you want to understand what actually makes a product officially licensed rather than merely themed.
The hard part of buying retro merchandise is not finding a cartoon mug. It is finding one that will still look right after two years of daily brews. Roobarb and Custard exists to solve exactly that: officially licensed designs, a UK Duraglaze coating tested to BS EN 12875-4 standards, and a range that covers homeware and kitchenware rather than a single novelty item. Every mug in the collection is £14.99, dishwasher proof and microwave-friendly, so it works as a gift and as a daily essential at the same time. Get started with Roobarb and Custard and bring the wobbly duo back to your kitchen cupboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a British cartoon character mug is authentic?
Check for official licensing marks, search for the brand's official shop, and look for quality indicators like a UK Duraglaze coating tested to BS EN 12875-4. Authentic mugs often state the official series name and have crisp, vibrant prints. If the price seems too low or the seller is vague, it is likely a knock-off.
Where can I buy officially licensed Roobarb and Custard merchandise?
You can buy directly from the official Roobarb & Custard online shop. Their collection includes ceramic mugs, apparel, and homeware featuring Roobarb, Custard, and other characters. Buying from the official source guarantees authenticity and supports the brand.
Are vintage British cartoon mugs considered valuable collectables?
Yes, many vintage British cartoon mugs are sought after by collectors, especially those from the 1970s and 1980s. Rarity, condition, and character popularity affect value. Official reissues like the Roobarb & Custard range are also collectable because they are well made.
What materials are best for long-lasting character mugs?
Ceramic mugs with a durable glaze, such as the Duraglaze finish used on Roobarb & Custard mugs, are excellent. They resist fading and are dishwasher and microwave safe.
How do I care for a fine bone china cartoon mug?
Fine bone china should be washed by hand with warm soapy water and dried with a soft cloth to preserve the print and glaze. Avoid abrasive sponges and sudden temperature changes. While some china is dishwasher safe, hand washing extends the life of the design.