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John Walsh Glasses

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Bernard C:
Barbara — Eric's book is The Glass of John Walsh Walsh 1850–1951.

I can't find your lovely glasses in the factory pattern books, which date from the early to mid 1920s, probably because this simple elegant pattern dates from an earlier period.   I've had two or three examples of this pattern through my hands, one of which was a huge vase.   Eric illustrates an identical blank with the merese or bladed knop in the stem at fig. 59 (ii), and the cut pattern in various places, such as fig. 101 (iii).   They also cut this pattern on blanks with a plain stem.   The company mark dates your glasses to c.1930–51.

You will have noticed that your glasses are wonderful to use.   They are heavy, as most Walsh cut patterns are quite deeply cut, requiring a good thickness of glass on the blank.   Some months ago I acquired a Rock Crystal wine goblet, which is almost certainly a late example of about 1910 by William Fritsche and his small team at Webb.   Ian Wolfenden in his 1976 book / exhibition catalogue on Rock Crystal dates the style to 1878–1925, but does not consider Walsh at all.  Had he seen Eric's Queen Anne salad set dating from 1884 (fig. 11), I think he would have found it difficult to leave Walsh out of the exhibition.   Anyway, it is reasonable to regard glasses like yours as deriving from and influenced by the Rock Crystal tradition.

It would be wrong and illogical to think that Clyne Farquharson only designed pieces carrying his signature.   From 1933 there was a noticeable change to simple modern cut patterns, most or all of which can be attributed to him, as he was by then Walsh's chief designer.   Looked at the other way around, what was he doing all day long if he wasn't designing new patterns?

Walsh glass of all types is becoming increasingly popular since Eric's book was published, and there are some wise collectors building up wonderful collections while it is still relatively inexpensive.   I like to think that I have helped in a small way.

G Man — You will find a slightly different view of Farquharson's signed designs in Reynolds and other published works.

Bernard C.  8)

Anonymous:
Hi Bernard,
I will look out for the book on the above, but until I own it , my reference on the above comes from the catalogue British Glass between the wars 1987. the best book on this period I have, except the 2 Whitefriars books.

Is this book still in print?

Regards
G Man. :)

Bernard C:
G Man — yes, the paperback is still in print.   The hardback was a limited edition (not numbered) and sold out quite quickly.

Like you I rate BGbtW highly as I own three (I wear out books!).   However it is eighteen years out of date, so must always be evaluated in the light of more recent research and discoveries.   My current working copy is fairly liberally sprinkled with pencilled marginal notes, as to a lesser extent is my working copy of Reynolds, another book in the three category.

Bernard C.  8)

Anne:
Barbara do you still have a pic of the pattern please? The tinypic one has expired.

johnphilip:
Hi folks, Eric has also made a DVD on Walsh glass,if i can find his phone number i will give him a call to see if he can put something on here,I believe part of the proceeds goes to a cancer charity,if i cant find what i have done with his number maybe one of you have it.JP

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