Topic: Large commemorative Caithness weight

[chriscooper]

Same? as the Royal Cypher 1981 Royal wedding weight and very similar to the Ark Royal, Peregrine Falcon and Silver Jubilee Fleet, commemorative weights. Same engraver J B  who I can find nothing about.
My question, sorry if it sounds dumb but if these are all classed as commissioned which I presumed were made to the specification of the customer and therefore unique or I am missing something they all, particularly the Royal Cypher seem to have the same purple core with a circle of silver bubbles and peaks similar  to the one I have here. Quite large 4" high and 3.5" diameter.
Thanks for taking a look.
https://picasaweb.google.com/107067405711297858658/CaithnessCommemorativeWeight#

[bfg]

John Brown was an engraver, did he do paperweights as well as vases?

[chriscooper]

Could well have.
Thanks Chris

[Wuff]

We have to differentiate different kinds of "commissioned" weights:

1. There were commissioned designs, e.g. for Peter Jones China of Wakefield (and other retailers) - produced exclusively for these retailers. Occasionally there were also exclusive designs for a single customer.

2. There were "corporate designs" for customers looking for less expensive weights, especially if only small numbers were required: some standardised designs, suitable for engraving (e.g. many with an oblique front facet), for customers to choose from and have their logo (or similar) engraved.

3. Very occasionally also standard unlimited designs were engraved for companies ... and it is difficult to differentiate between "commissioned" and "customised" weights: I had a standard unlimited weight with a front facet engraved on the occasion of our 30th wedding anniversary ... is that "commissioned"? I'd say - no - but which number would define the border?

More practical : weights like this do not show up in any sales information, and consequently we would be grateful for your permission to use your images for the Caithness catalogue on Scotland's Glass.

[chriscooper]

The photos are poor even by my standards, taken a couple of days ago when it was quite murky, working over the weekend but will get some, hopefully better photos next week if these are not suitable.
Chris

[chriscooper]

Hi Wuff, added some more photos to the album can you let me know if any are suitable, ditto I have added a permanent photo of the Selkirk into the thread, pleased for you to use them in....   Scotland's Glass.
Can you let me know if you want photos emailing as an attachment or can you 'grab' them from the thread or the album.
cheers Chris