Hi again folks,
Liz has made an astute observation based on her understanding of the evidence. This really pleases me, as it from this detailed level of investigation that unknown points may come to light - and it also helps to highlight possible confusions within presented text and images.
For the signature cane in question, it is true that Richard's reference is perhaps misleading as it could suggest "a Red S cane" or "some part of the cane that is red". My understanding is that Richard has used a referencing system that occasionally includes an extra indication of the weight that the cane is in. I do not think he has tried to suggest particular colours of the "S" or other parts of the cane. His example of that cane is taken from an upright flower weight that has a flower in the "madder" colour, which I think Richard has shortened to "Red" for his reference.
So yes, without an understanding of how a reference system was constructed, the confusion over a cane "colour description" is easy to see. I will email Richard about this.
Liz also points out that when comparing the 67-69 date cane, the "flower" in Richard's example has more "petals" than in hers. Again, it is good to see people counting "petals" of canes. But I wonder about this because it seems to me that both canes have 20 "cogs" (for this form of cane, it is usually referred to as a "cog cane" rather than a "flower / daisy"). Also, the canes are different in that in Liz's example, there is what seems to be a blue or purple coating around the white cog.
Another point that is not clear to me is whether the date in Liz's weight is actually 67. Unfortunately, even with enlargements and enhancements of a copy of that part of the photo I cannot make out the actual numbers. To me it seems as if it could just as easily be 66, 68 or 69.
However, regardless of the actual date, or the colours of parts of the cane, the fact is that Strarthearn used a variety of cane structures and colours for several of the years. Also, as stated in Richard's site, the "S" was used as a stand-alone cane until the 70s when they started including the "S" in a single cane with the date. So, it is not surprising to see that Liz has a weight with a separate "S" cane for a year that may be different to the example shown in Richard's pages.
But there is one rather interesting thing I have not yet mentioned ...
I would like to have a weight like Liz's ...
One with that particular "S" cane ...
It's the example of that cane that interests me ...
It was, until recently, believed to be a cane first made in the Strathearn years - for their signature. A few examples of the cane were known in early Strathearn weights. But a weight turned up showing all the signs of being even earlier than Strathearn and UV checks backed this up. The weight and its cane were featured in a PCC Newsletter. A natural question was raised that since this "S" (in the same 8-petal daisy cane) now had reasonable evidence for existence pre-Strathearn, what did it represent? Was it really a true signature cane of Salvador Ysart, perhaps first used in the early years of Vasart (Ysart Brothers)? I also raised this point as part of my presentation at the Ysart Glass Conference in Perth last year.
Any occurrences of that particular "S" cane are of interest to myself and others inlvolved in the research into Vasart / Strathearn paperweight making.
Liz .. when you have practiced some more with the camera, I would like to see some more photos of the weight. And if you can manage some close-ups of the "S" and date canes, that would be great.