Topic: Painted/Printed seaside picture. Date?

[tony matthews]

Hi
I am new to the forum but I have trawled through the listings and, though I have found other printed/painted examples, I can find nothing similar to this. I think that the black lines are printed on, probably from a copper plate due to the fine detail. it seems then to have been hand painted over in various layers of opaque paint. Though it is hard to see from the picture, the central area of sea has been etched with various lines (probably with a razor) and a silver foil applied giving that area of sea the appearance of reflecting the sun. I will try to get a better image of this but it may require a night shot due to the inherent reflective nature of glass. The effect can be easily seen when you move it in your hand. The glass itself has a very good clarity but is clearly not modern having an extremely pail grey (with the tiniest hint of green) hue when viewed through its side. It measures 79mm (3 1/8") diameter.
I was wondering if anyone has previously seen anything similar to this or has any idea as to it's age.
Many thanks for any help you can provide

[KevinH]

Hi Tony, welcome to the Board.

This type of tourist picture weight was popular in the Victorian period and also early to mid 20th century.
They are hard to date unless the image shows features that can be tied in to general research.

In the case of this view of Great Yarmouth, the image appears to show a fully wooden structure for the pier. A website for the Britannia Pier provides background information that would suggest a date from 1858 to 1900. The main evidence is in relation to the replacement of the wooden pier by a wooden & steel structure, with work commencing in December 1900.

Something I like about the image is the naivety of apparently miniature boats and crew when compared to the figures on the pier!

[tropdevin]

 ***

Hi.  The use of foil to back these picture weights and enhance the image is quite common. I think they date to the late Victorian era or a little later.  They are, might one say, a fairly specialised area of collecting (ie I cannot sell any that I get and end up giving them to the local charity shop... ).

Alan

[tony matthews]

Hi Guys
Thanks for the input and the interest.
I am now surprised that Alan does not actually recognise the paperweight, as it was indeed purloined in a charity shop.
I had previously googled Gt. Yarmouth and discovered the info about the pier. It was also covered in 1880, whereas the one depicted is open to the elements. In fact, given the lack of development to the land at the end and to the left of the pier, and the rate that all of our (UK) seaside towns were being developed during this period, I would suggest that the image depicts and celebrates the pier's inauguration. This does not mean that the paperweight was made in 1852 any more than my scratching runes on my front door puts me in a viking long house . I was hoping that someone might know something of the history of objects like these which are, in essence, early  tourist wares. Would the later Victorians/Edwardians have been interested in purchasing such items with clearly outdated or 'nostalgic' images?
I must agree with Kevin regarding the figures on the boats. They were clearly drawn by a landlubber who has no idea of where the people on board should be or how much of them should be visible. It is very much as if he/she has only ever seen this element from some distance as all of the other humans and structures are extremely well rendered. Especially when you consider that the actual image is only 59mm (just over 2 1/4") across.
I attach a shot of the back which I now realise is quite concave (approx 3mm drop from edge to center or 1 in 10). This (and the leather patch) is clearly there to protect the image from undue wear but now has me wondering as to the method of printing.
Once again, many thanks for the interest
Tony

[Lustrousstone]

These blanks were made by many glass houses for decorating in some way and probably just as plain paperweights or magnifying lenses, as the raised edge minimises scratching. It is probably contemporaneous with the pier in that state, as the Victorian loved their souvenirs, and painted in or around Yarmouth. I don't think the black is printed; it looks too naive and too specialist. (Any printing would have used a transfer) Reverse painting on glass is quite a skill.

I have a nice souvenir of Blackpool http://lustrousstone.co.uk/cpg/displayimage.php?pid=1331
I also spent may happy childhood hours in Great Yarmouth 

[Nick77]

Quote "I am now surprised that Alan does not actually recognise the paperweight, as it was indeed purloined in a charity shop."

I take it you meant purchased not purloined in a charity shop

[SophieB]

Hi Christine,

What a lovely bowl, indeed.

SophieB

[Lustrousstone]

Thank you Sophie. I think it's amazing that the photograph has stayed stuck on the back so long with minimal damage

[tony matthews]

Hi Nick
I was only replying to Alan in a light-hearted manner, similar to the comment he left for me. I did indeed pay the price they asked without haggling (I make it a point of principle never to haggle in charity shops as it is a donation not a price). Having said that, it looks like it could still have been a bit of a steal at £2!

Hi Christine
I can imagine that there was a good demand for lenses. Especially when trying to read by candlelight. It is hard to comprehend how anyone could paint so small in such detail and still make a living from the sale of what was, whatever it's age, a novelty souvenir. It must have taken ages, especially when you consider that the actual height of the figures on the beach is about 2mm!
Of interest.... during my searches I came across a previous post on this forum from member Paul S in 2010. You left him a comment also and I have invited him to look in on this string.
V.nice dish by the way. My wife comes from Liverpool and we have been to Blackpool a few times now. Usually when doing the rounds of visiting (her) family members and mostly as entertainment for the kids- Great rides, no queues...Who needs Thorp Park et. al. (Fish and chips on the beach. I can smell the ozone).