Topic: Caithness 1976 'Four Seasons'

[elleston2250]

I have inherited a set of 4 paperweights in their original box called 'Four Seasons', dated 1976.  They are numbered 224 of 473 produced.

Do they have any value?

[Lustrousstone]

See here for a retail price; auction prices would be different. Scroll down
http://www.sweetbriar.co.uk/weightlist.php?maker=Caithness%20Current%20Stock

[elleston2250]

Thanks so much for the info Lustrousstone, my father fell in love with this set in 1976 and I have always wondered how much they are now worth and never got anywhere trying to find out.  Caithness are usually most unhelpful with such enquiries.   My father paid £250 in 1976 and your link showed their value approx £650.
 

[KevinH]

your link showed their value approx £650

That is a retail price from a major paperweight dealer. It might be a reasonable amount, but if the item has been in the dealer's stock for some time, it could indicate that the price is too high for the current market. However, in the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Caithness Paperweights (2nd edition, 2004) the set was given an approximate value of £1,200. So, if a major paperweight dealer five years later is only asking about half that, it shows that the "value" is extremely uncertain, or that the "Charlton" guide value was very optimistic.

On the other hand, a good single Caithness weight made by Willie Manson and signed with a WM cane, should have a market value of over £100. So four similar weights ought to be at least £400 - 500. And a boxed set of four, with certificate, should add a bit more to the market value.

So the Sweetbriar market price is probably about right for current times and could be used as a reasonable idea for an insurance valuation. But if the set was put into auction, even through a major auction house, it might struggle to make £300-400 hammer price, with deductions for commssion and tax making it seem "very cheap"!