Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: Frank on June 26, 2006, 01:22:49 PM
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The preparation of about a thousand images has been completed and I now have to prepare the pages.
In light of the recent topic on cataloguing a collection I thought it might be an idea to ask you folks how to best organise these weights?
Obviously major type... so clocks, thimbles and spoons are clear. The initial pages http://www.scotlandsglass.co.uk/ were just put together in order or contribution and special order weights are obviously best left as separate. Charlton list 2,500, I do not have a copy, but has limited images and I expect my pages will top that quickly.
Ordering by designer, maker, can be done as a separate pages re-using images. Much in the way that for the PY catalogues I also show them by type.
The function of these pages should be to help people identify their weight so, suggestions welcomed.
Until I get through this stage I do not need more submissions, catalogue scans are limited so I will be pleased to get additional images of listed designs to show variety and other angles as on some of the existing pages.
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I really admire folks who can do these websites and web pages and cataloguing. Takes a lot of stamina and desire. Hats off, Frank.
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Thank you. :)
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how to best organise these weights?
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I think a reasonable way to organise a catalogue of Caithness weights is by:
Designer, Type, Year
With the first sorting by Designer, it would make it so much easier to get a good feel of the types created by each designer. Where two (or more?) designers are credited, base it on the first one listed in the Charlton guide (info from somebody who has a copy, of course).
It might be actually be better to switch the order of Type / Year, but that would be become clearer as the catalogue develops.
For type, this could end up being somewhat arbitrary but I suggest it is based mainly on the primary visual motif. Obviously "Abstract" and "Millefiori" are fairly clear separations but, within each of those, choices would have to be made that best suit the look of the pages.
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I will provide separate views by designer too. But with several thousand it is not a good primary sorting. Current thinking is:
Millefiori
Millefiori & lampwork (Millefiori main element)
Millefiori & abstract
Lampwork
Lampwork & abstract
Animals
Figures
Sulphides
Abstract
Commissioned and advertising
Clocks
Thimbles
Other items
Vases will be incorporated into glassware but with distinct pages for vases/bowls with millefiori decoration.
Within those categories:
Round
Non-round
Separate pages with the same images
Designer by year.
Special Range.
Any others?
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Well the effort has begun and already ground to a halt!
http://www.scotlandsglass.com/menuGGcat.htm <--- Mod: Dead link
The original first four pages of weights will eventually be merged into the other pages, so ignore those for now. But what is the opinion of the other groupings so far? Currently only covering about 100 weights.
I have now ordered the Charlton book as I think it better to just leave spaces in the catalogue as I go.
For the time being, please limit contributions to images of weights that have been fully identified but only have one image as I am currently overloaded.
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This is on my "I'll get back to this later" list. :)
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Frank, as the function is to help people identify weights, are you interested mainly in the unlimited weights that are not named on the bases, or do you want photos of the limited and named ones as well?
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It is intended to be fully comprehensive and to show multiple views of each weight. Glassware too.
A lot of catalogue images are not great for identification purposes so the best is four views: side view, top view, base view (angle and showing markings), best presentation view. White background preferred. Plus any additional views like close-ups of special features, signature canes, certificates etc.
e.g. http://www.scotlandsglass.com/Caithness/weights/Spaceman1969.htm
http://www.scotlandsglass.com/Caithness/weights/Encounter1.htm <---- Mod: Dead links
Also articles on any Caithness Glass topic. :) Snippets of information, anecdotal or otherwise are also of interest.
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Got a copy of charlton today (2nd Edition), very unimpressed with the print quality. Biggest surprise was that it did not include Caithness numbering, just the Colin Terris CT numbering. Is that numbering referred to by collectors? Is it useful to include it.
I will adapt the shapes names used by CT.
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Certainly I was disappointed that the Charlton didn't include the numbers that are actually written on the bases of the paperweights. When looking for the name of an untitled early weight with just a number that would have been very useful indeed.
Instead, you have to plough through pages of rather similar looking grey orbs....
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Frank I have a L/E Caithness weight here called Tyrolean Summer. If and when you want a pic let me know. I'll find the original box and cert to see the details.
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Hi Pat,
Thanks, I really have to get the current organisation sorted as I am swamped with images. Once I catch up I will be asking loud and clear :)
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So having the Caithness codes is useful, I presume a table of codes with links to the relevant weights would help too.
The table could be constructed thus:
Caithness ID; CT Id; Name; Year of introduction;
I will also create either a table of designers to weights.... or a page/pages showing there designs without data but linked to the catalogue pages with data.
Shapes and other themes:
I will include weights in more than one theme... as/if appropriate.
ANOTHER option:
Use a catalogue type of database and generate pages on demand based on keywords, weight names, designer names, codes, year etc.
If I follow that route it will be more flexible but a costly development. Would collectors be willing to pay a one off subscription fee of, say about £10/$15?
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FYI Cotswolds Collectables started charging for their Poole Pottery info pages last year, they charge £4.95 lifetime membership. This seemed perfectly ok, but £10 feels a little steep for me.
I know the Charlton book costs even more though, so if there was actually all the info that is in there, plus extra stuff, and more colour...could be a bargain.
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Thanks for the feedback, as it will be just one maker, you are probably right about the price. I suppose if there are enough collectors to fund more than one edition of the book, a much lower price would cover costs.
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Realised I had problems organising an unknown number of weights into individual pages... so I have spent some time getting to grips with some new tools and have shoe-horned a shop thingy into a catalogue.
New approach (http://www.scotlandsglass.co.uk/cms/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1)
Original approach (http://www.scotlandsglass.com/menuGGcat.htm) <--- Mod: dead link
Still got a lot of tweaking to do but would appreciate feedback. For those who contributed you will notice I have added details in some cases. The new version also has corrections. I still have to figure out how to get more items on the individual pages. Some pics link to the old page... that will be corrected.
Interesting that Pyramids and clocks do not feature in Charlton - so this catalogue will be a step further :P
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Even some of the weights sent in and already on the site are not in Charlton so it seems there is also a black hole. I need Caithness catalogues, except 98 and 99.
Numbering is a problem as the basic lists are now sequenced by product code (SKU), I am thinking about introducing my own numbering to give a better display sequence.
Caithness numbering: Ayynnn or Annnyy
A = L- Limited or U- Unlimited
yy = year (after 1999 I added x between the year and type letter to ensure correct sequence) but earlier years the year code follwed serial number.
nnn = serial number
later c.2000 the leading letter was dropped.
Planned: yyyyAnnnn
yyyy= 4 digit year
A = L- Limited or U- Unlimited X- Commissioned
nnnn a serial number... OR start of weight name (Which do you prefer)
As I am adding to the new scheme, I am adding the related designs and then when you click on product details you will see the related designs below. At the moment it limits to four related items but I will fix that later, there are 8 Orchid designs EXAMPLE (http://www.scotlandsglass.com/cms/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=170&category_id=14&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1)
This means I am adding weights without images - if you find one which you have without an image, please send images now. Thank you.[/url]
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All I can say Frank is - "well done you". I don't know how you have the patience, but I know my daughter will be delighted as she has just bought her first Caithness paperweight and will find this site particular fascinating - so do I.
Can't wait to see the site when completed!!
Regards
Mary
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Can't wait to see the site when completed!!
Will take a few days :D
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Just added the July 2006 releases, no data just pictures so far.
http://www.scotlandsglass.co.uk/cms/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=73&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=25
starting from Angel's Prayer
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Over 700 items now! Working on 99 catalogues.
Can anyone advise on a group of weights in 1999 that Charlton say were issued in USA in 1996?
e.g. LINK (http://www.scotlandsglass.co.uk/cms/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=725&category_id=14&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27)
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Useful search tip, If you select List All Products and then in the sort options: Latest Products then got to the end, you will see the latest items added.
I also update items that appear in more than one catalogue so you can see when an item was being offered for sale. If a different image is used I am also adding that - this will show the extent to which designs varied from item to item. No easy way to spot those though.
Some examples:
LINK (http://www.scotlandsglass.co.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.view_images&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=466&category_id=11&Itemid=27)
LINK (http://www.scotlandsglass.co.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.view_images&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=412&category_id=14&Itemid=27)
LINK amazing one (http://www.scotlandsglass.co.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.view_images&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=74&category_id=11&Itemid=27)