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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Topic started by: Gavin on June 04, 2012, 09:35:38 AM

Title: Michael Harris signed paper weight
Post by: Gavin on June 04, 2012, 09:35:38 AM

Just a quick question if anyone can help. Instance antique fair and have found a signed and numbered paper weight, but it's signed Michael Harris England, does this sound right at all? It's black with gold leaf, about 6 inches across and is priced at £78. Would like a bit more info before I buy, thanks
Gavin

Title: Re: Michael Harris signed paper weight
Post by: chopin-liszt on June 04, 2012, 10:39:39 AM

Sounds about right, but obviously I can't see it!
I have a 4"one, I think a 6" would be a slightly special one, being SO big, which might explain the number. Mine isn't numbered.

It doesn't have a great big silver spider on it, does it? There is one known!

Title: Re: Michael Harris signed paper weight
Post by: Gavin on June 04, 2012, 12:50:58 PM

Thanks Sue, it's now mine!! Numbered 27/500, will post pics when I can

Title: Re: Michael Harris signed paper weight
Post by: chopin-liszt on June 04, 2012, 01:06:02 PM

I think you got a bargain.
Mine's an "ordinary" signed one - I paid £98 for it at the Harris Dynasty Exhibition in Cambridge in 2003 - when the fair was still in a grubby old town hall on wonky trestle tables!  ;D

Title: Re: Michael Harris signed paper weight
Post by: Gavin on June 07, 2012, 11:14:28 AM

Thought it was cheap to start with but managed to knock him down to £65 though! Sadly no silver spider and being a typical man i over estimated the size! Lol It just a shade under 5" but, in my defense, it does look bigger. Still not taken any pics but will do soon.

Gavin

Title: Re: Michael Harris signed paper weight
Post by: chopin-liszt on June 07, 2012, 12:32:31 PM

There is a very big difference between a 4" and 5" diameter in something's total volume - and the larger the lump of solid glass, the more annealling problems that can arise, the more likely a "failure" will occur.

Title: Re: Michael Harris signed paper weight
Post by: stew2u2 on July 03, 2012, 06:24:17 PM

did MH put his name to the weights he made or the weights he designed
thanks
olly

Title: Re: Michael Harris signed paper weight
Post by: chopin-liszt on July 04, 2012, 11:10:51 AM

He rarely signed anything. He had a strong dislike of doing so.
It happened on a few things that were exported to the states, because the importers demanded it, there were a few things that did end up with signatures, because they were experimenting to see if they sold better, I believe - hence many Japanese globes from Mdina have signatures, and pieces of Seaward, from the early days at IoWSG, often have them.
I'm afraid I'm not very up on the matter of weights, I've never taken much interest in them.