Topic: 1950's St. Louis Paperweights

[Krecik]

Hello ,

  I just purchased 5 1953 , 1954  St. Louis paperweights and have a couple  of questions someone may be able to answer.

1) I have read that there were only several hundred weights made during the 50's , is that correct? 

2) There are several different types of date canes , would they not have a standard cane?

3) One of the weights has 2 date canes , one is 1953 and another appears to be 1954 . Has anyone seen dual canes before and or conflicting date canes?

Thanks ,

John

[tropdevin]

***

Hi.

1) I have seen the same estimate for numbers made in the 1950s, as I think they only made them for a few years.  I do not know whether there is hard evidence to support it from the factory, but from the limited numbers one sees around it seems a reasonable figure.
2) It would not surprise me to see different designs of the same year cane, as they were re-learning the skills for making canes, and may not have produced a long enough piece at the first attempt.
3) I have been told about - but not seen - a Saint-Louis with both 1953 and 1954 canes: it might be the same one, of course!

Alan

[Krecik]

Thanks ,

 I purchased these from a California USA Estate. The Weight with the double date cane I posted a picture of is an overlay mushroom.  I just can't believe my luck in being able to purchase 5 together if there are really not that many of them out there.

Thanks again ,

John

[TanToday]

I have two Saint Louis Piedouche weights from 1953, and I believe production was limited to under 500.

And I have a Saint Louis double overlay mushroom of 1955.

Speaking of "mistake date canes", the closepack piedouche has the date cane reversed/backwards.

[TanToday]

In the most recent copy of the PAPERWEIGHT COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION INC. newletter April 1, 2014 there is an article asking for help in sending photos and informatin on 1953-54-55 Saint Louis paperweights to a fellow writing an article for an upcoming issue of the newsletter. He is soliciting pictures and data and asked that you send him those at:

Claude Dauby
30 rue des Louviers
78100-Saint Germain en Laye
France

{there was no email address in the article, only a snailmail one...}

I sent him my photos in larger format along with the information on the weights. An interesting aside, the closepack piedouche was purchased from the Ophrah Winfrey owned collection, she is a HUGE American TV star, FWIW.

[tropdevin]

***

Hi.  I know Claude...I have just written an article with him which will be in the 2014 PCA Bulletin.  He does not have email yet....!

Alan

[TanToday]

Oddly Alan, it was only FRIDAY that I got my 2014 Annual Bulletin of the Paperweight Collectors Association copy and read your article with Claude on Chinese Paperweights.....

.... nice work!

Bruce from Pittsburgh, USA

[tropdevin]

***

Hi.  I haven't got mine yet!  It takes time to cross the pond....

Alan

[Krecik]

I sent him my photos in larger format along with the information on the weights. An interesting aside, the closepack piedouche was purchased from the Ophrah Winfrey owned collection, she is a HUGE American TV star, FWIW.

Good evening ,

  Very nice paperweights. I didn't know Oprah was a collector.  The most famous person I purchased paperweights from was the estate of Casper Weinberger.  You never know who collects paperweights.

Thanks ,

John

[TanToday]

Saint Louis 1972 patterned millefiori blue color ground paperweight. Five parallel rows of assorted spaced complex canes, alternate with spaced parallel white latticinio rods, on opaque blue ground. Signature/date cane. Limited edition of 400.

This weight was owned by Oprah Winfrey personally, sold at a charity auction Kaminski where I Purchased it in November of 2013. As to the extent of her collection {if any} I don't have any further information.....one way or the other.