Topic: Selkirk?

[Ynel]

Hello,

This large paperweight I bought in a secondhand shop.
I think it is from Selkirk, but it doesn't have a signature.
It has beautiful bubbles and it looks like a blue poppy.
Can someone tell me if it is really Selkirk and which year it is made?
And is it of any value.

Thank you very much.

Kind regards,

Ynel
(Netherlands)

[Lustrousstone]

Can we see a base shot please

[Ynel]

I have made some extra pictures of the base. As you can see there is no signature.





The base is 5 cm.
Further measures high 9 cm, width 10 and it weighs a little over 1200 grams.

[Derek]

Hi Ynel

That irregular and unpolished base says chinese to me.

All the Selkirks I have seen to date have had fire polished bases and are signed with
"Selkirk", the name of the design as well as edition number if a limited edition.

Best regards

Derek

[Lustrousstone]

Snap, that's what I was going to say

[Ynel]

Lustrousstone and Derek thanks for your comments!

So it is Chinese.. do you know if it has any value?

[KevinH]

Everything has value. At least, to somebody.

The Chinese weights are almost all from mass production runs (but each made individually, of course) and are sold by the crate at wholesale prices for an equivalent of just a few dollars / pounds / euros / whatever, per weight. Sadly, it is the "cheap and cheerful" production mindset that has caused Chinese weights to get a poor standing amongst many collectors, and even the better items produced in recent years struggle to gain interest as other than tourist gift shop items.

[SophieB]

Hi Derek,

I have no reason to doubt the Chinese ID.

Just a quick footnote: I have seen a few Selkirk weights without any markings (and they were Selkirk known limited edition weights). I was told that these were just produced and yet to be engraved with the normal markings when Selkirk closed in 2006. I do not know whether they were sold to the public, or given/acquired by the staff after the closure, but I have come across a few in Scotland since I started collecting.

Also I own a Selkirk lim. ed. blue lagoon with a rather rough and matt polish underside. According to the markings, it is the Master Copy for this limited edition. If there is no doubt that my weight is indeed a 'blue lagoon', I have never had its Master Copy status confirmed. Still, it has a matt underside. 

SophieB

[Ynel]

I have learned a lot.
Thanks for the information.
If I have more questions about glass in the future, I'll come and visit again.