Topic: Good Luck weight - American??

[Kari]

Thanks!  This is a really interesting topic.

When I got "Relax", I had initially been outbid because I was away and hadn't known to snipe.  It was quite inexpensive but I really liked the message.  The original buyer must have backed out as they offered it to me.

Since then, I have seen 2 others with the same sentiment, but not nearly as well-made.  They seemed much more crudely done: the colors not harmonious, no controlled bubbles, as well as the fact that mine is on a cushion as opposed to a mottled color-ground.  I had thought the phrase somewhat unique, as I still don't see it as often as the "Home Sweet Home" or "Mother" weights, but the one I own seems to be created in a somewhat different manner.

Any ideas?   

[Derek]

Hum ! very strange, I posted a reply to Kev's last message at about 5pm and it has disappeared!

Kev

The Melvin book on page 71 states :

"Many of the Gentile motto dies were first used by Peter Gentile at the Fry factory at Rochester"

Peter Gentile was there from 1911 and the factory closed in the "early twenties" (Melvin p61).

Melvin P61 states "Peter bought many of his glass tools moulds and dies with him to Morganstown."

Peter was at Morganstown until 1947 having spent 25 years there which would put the closure of the Fry factory at 1921 or 1922.
So clearly die weights were made by the Gentile family from the earliest days.

Kari

Melvin also states P70/1 that " the more common Gentile weight designs that are sold to jobbers and gift shops through the
USA and Canada today (book revised 1970) have designs of yesteryear including mottos ................."relax my darling" .............
Many of the Gentile motto dies were first used by Peter Gentile at the Fry Factory..........."

Best regards

Derek

[Kari]

Well gosh, where does that leave my "Relax"?