Is this a Strathearn paperweight?

[Max]

Tut!  I really shouldn't be posting this time of night!  

I did a brief 'show and tell' the other night, and this paperweight had very mixed reviews.  One person said it was probably fit for being a doorknob (my sentiments too actually...lol) and someone else said it was rather nice and could be Strathearn.

I paid about £20 for it...it was advertised recently on Ebay as Strathearn...but is it??

http://tinypic.com/2ciweq
http://tinypic.com/2ciwj5
http://tinypic.com/2ciwlc

[KevinH]

Hi Max,

Yes, I'd say it's Strathearn. They made these in at least three sizes. The basic weight was formed and then pressed into a mould for the "star" shaping. £20 is a reasonable price for your example.

I assume the "fit for a doorknob" comment was intended as a rather derisory remark. I don't think the moulded "star" pattern was actually used for Doorknobs, but certainly standard domed weights were. They were made by Strathearn, and earlier at Vasart, and Perthshire Paperweights had their versions too - and those are particularly well made. I have even seen a photo of a Doorknob with the paperweight part made by Paul Ysart, but I have not seen one by him for real. The Doorknobs are widely collected, and many folk still use them for the intended purpose - I once visited somebody in Scotland who had Strathearn Doorknobs on most of the doors.

[Leni]

I assume the "fit for a doorknob" comment was intended as a rather derisory remark.

 :oops:  :oops:  :oops:

[Frank]

All our doorknobs are by Vasart, Strathearn and Pertshire Paperweights with the PP's being slowly replaced. The Vasart ones have the most elaborate ones in old coloured brass, the Strathearn plainer in brighter brass to base metal and the PP's on gaudy modern brass.

It is a perfect method of displaying paperweights and adds a touch of distinction to Mahogany doors.

[Max]

Thanks KevH and Frank for your help.  

Although it is Strathearn then, it's not the most attractive paperweight in the world, is it?!  Poor little smudgy thing!

The remark about it being useful as a doorknob was just plain talking, rather than being derisory.  We should be able to do plain talking with friends, shouldn't we?!  I appreciate honesty anyway - can't tell where you're at otherwise, can you?!   :D

I do feel sort of attached to this paperweight though...it's rather nice to hold in your hand and fiddle with when you're watching TV - like a big worry bead.  Still, I think using it as a doorknob is a fantastic idea, and not something I would have thought of.  I'm sure with a bit of glue and determination I could at least use it as a drawer handle.   :idea:  :lol:

[Leni]

I don't think the moulded "star" pattern was actually used for Doorknobs, but certainly standard domed weights were.

I reckon the star shaped ones would make better doorhandles for someone like me, with arthritis in hands.  I do struggle sometimes with round doorknobs!   :roll:

It's why we've kept the original octagonal bakelite doorknobs on most of our doors.  Much easier to grip!  Not very pretty though  :x  

Perhaps I should change them for star shaped Strathearn paperweights?  :oops:   :roll:

Are they drilled for fittings though, Frank?  If they were made with the intention of being used as doorknobs I would think that was OK, but I'm not sure I'd risk drilling a 'standard' paperweight, in case I damaged it!    

And I would have thought superglue was a bit dangerous!  You never know where you could find yourself locked in, with the 'doorknob' suddenly loose in your hand!  :shock:

Leni

[Frank]

Are they drilled for fittings though

I don't think know, never had one come off. The Strath/PP ones have a ground base larger than the fitting. The Vasart was made to fit the fitting so know way of telling how base is finished.

[KevinH]

Occasionally, a small Vasart weight turns up with a hole in the base. It would have been originally set on a shank as part of a Doorknob, Gear Lever ("shift" in the US) or Bar Set item. I believe the base was set with the hole for the fitting at the time of making.

I think some items may have had a threaded collar inserted in the base. But my few examples of individual Bar items (and of course the wonderful complete, boxed 6-piece Bar Set I recently bought) are solidly glued.

My one lonely Strathearn Doorknob is also very solidly fixed to the wide flat end of the bright brass fitting. I don't know if these also had a recessed locater stud for stability.

I don't think I'd trust a home glueing job (well, not if was done by me) for doorhandle use.  :!:

[Max]

Sorry Kev, what's a bar set?

[Frank]

Sorry Kev, what's a bar set?

Bar sets are boxed collections of these http://www.ysartglass.com/Vascat/VasF001.htm

[KevinH]

Here's a quick pic of the set I bought:

http://tinypic.com/2d00gx

Consists of: Bottle Opener, Can opener, Double Spirit Measure (1 oz / 1 1/2 oz), Cork Screw, Bottle Stopper (cork section pulls out for single measure dispenser), Cocktail Stirrer (Twizzle Stick).]

From info I have recently received, this set may be only the fifth known to come to light amongst paperweight collecters. See Frank's pages for a pic of a 3-piece set, as shown in the book Ysartglass.

Update:
Hah! Frank got there while I was taking the pic.

[Max]

That's what I love about this board - you just learn and learn!

Wow!  Really fabulous set Kev!  And I absolutely ADORE those gear shift knobs Frank...definitely on my 'must have' list!  Bet they're really rare though  :evil:

I just sat here saying 'Wow!  wow! wow!!'.  There's something about using glass in everyday situations that REALLY dings my bell baby!

Mmm-mmm!

[Frank]

They do pop-up on eBay a couple of times a year, often not identified as Vasart. It is assumed Strathearn continued for a while too.