Topic: Rouby Otem?

[Trapper]

Hi, I wondered if anybody has come across paperweights with an engraved signature on base that looks like R?B?P?ouby Otem?
I can send a photograph once I find out how to. Thanks Trapper (new member)

[ahremck]

I suggest you give us some details as to where you got it.  Sometimes it may have been near to where it was made, and that would help people help you.

Ross

[Trapper]

The paperweight was found in Edinburgh last year and is engraved on base with H?P?B?R?ouby? Otem? or similar. The base/stem is crudely broken away from the maker's pole. Trapper

[ahremck]

Nice photos.  Now we need to see the actual signatures.  I don't know if you are familiar withthe close-up setting on your camera (it looks like a tulip on most).  You will need to use it to get the biggest photo possible.  I also suggested some methods to show the signature better in
 
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php?action=post;topic=35231.msg190970;quote=190970;sesc=9805f4f740ae545475a56917b008551c

Hopefully we can get a clear shot so that it is recognisable to someone.  I especially reiterate that a square on photo is often unsuccessful because of the distortion due to the internal colours of the weight.

Good Luck.

Ross

[Trapper]

Hi Ross, It is a free hand, very fine, engraved signature but over the bevelled rim of the base. The wear and tear of the glass being scuffed as it has stood on a surface does not help. The only way to read it is with a strong back spotlight and to roll the weight slightly to get top and bottom of the signature into view. I am working on a way to get something of an image copied. I tried to trace it through onto a cigarette paper but that didn't work! Pressing plasticine onto it also failed! Hopefully I will devise a way to do this. Any thoughts? Thanks Trapper.

[chopin-liszt]

A light dusting of talcum powder into the engraving often helps a lot.
Welcome!

[ahremck]

I find that for really hard to see ones the most successful is to use a very shallow angle of photograph so that the base/surface is reduced to reflecting light but the signature will appear to be darker.  The problem with talc - which does work most of the time - is that the photo resulting is relatively direct and the refraction and colours of the glass tend to make it harder to decipher.

Ross