Topic: Window cut weight with butterfly and signature

[Paul S.]

not my area, but I can see the fascination with these things - not the least of which is they don't take up much space.

What looks to be a Clouded Yellow painted on a white ground with five windows plus the top facet - came from a boot sale last year some time.
Although I don't especially collect weights, I'm aware of the name R. Annenberg  -  and the signature on this one does look vaguely similar - and it does have an upper case R. in front.           Following the name there is a year date of  '1999' then 'No. 1'.
The windows have been very well cut and polished, and the pontil scar which was on the underside of the white base has been removed with care.             Diameter is about 3.25" maximum.

Grateful if someone is able to advise if this is from that person or not, and thanks for looking.

[daveweight]

HI Paul,
This is one of the transfer weights made by Whitefriars and is easily identifiable from the button is the base which was created by the method they used to make their paperweights. Basically Whitefriars bought some heat resistant transfers and set these of a white glass enamel base then encased them in clear glass. They made these just before they closed and I understand only around 130 of these weights were made so they are very collectable and reasonably valuable. Although I have seen a few I have never seen a signed one before. Hope this helps
Dave

[chriscooper]

Ray worked at Cambridge Glass for a while before starting up on his own.
I know he made Elephants and paperweights and signed them but it was a short lived venture in 1999 maybe this is one of them because the date doesn't tie into the ones made at Whitefriars which were late '70s

Chris

[Patrick]

Hi,
 Yes that is certainly Ray's signature.

Probably one he made for a friend.............

Regards,

             Patrick.    

[Paul S.]

Dave, Chris and Patrick...........  my sincere thanks for the prompt and very imformative replies.           It was the butterfly that appealed to me intitially - I've been interested in them since a teenager - and having bought the weight I then saw the signature.            your help is much appreciated.

[Patrick]

They made these just before they closed and I understand only around 130 of these weights were made

This weight was not made at Whitefriars and in my opinion would not be as valuable as a factory made example.

Regards,
                   Patrick.

[daveweight]

I would be very interested to know how you are so sure this weight was not made at the Whitefriars factory Patrick, looks fine to me and identical to all the others I have come across so I wondered how you came to this conclusion ?
Dave

[chriscooper]

Maybe I am missing something? it's definitely Ray's signature dated 1999? when Ray was working for himself, the elephants he made at the time were dated 1999.
We know the ones that were made at Whitefriars were around 1978.
As neither of you have commented on my observation I ask, " Patrick why do you say it could have been made for a friend"? and David how do you tie it in to ones made in 1978 to 1999 date? do think  it's not a date at all and that's a red herring?

Chris
 

[Patrick]

I would be very interested to know how you are so sure this weight was not made at the Whitefriars factory Patrick, looks fine to me and identical to all the others I have come across so I wondered how you came to this conclusion ?
Dave

Hi Dave,
 Sorry I have been slow to reply.
 I spoke to Ray yesterday and he confirms that he made it at Basil Loveridge's small glass house in 1999. I described it exactly to him and he remembers making some. If you look at the pontil you will see that it is not a Whitefriars piece ( just in case you do not believe the date )
All best wishes,
                     Patrick.
Ps. I can also add that those made at Whitefriars were the work of Ronnie Wilkinson...........

[chriscooper]

And even slower to reply to me even though I was pretty much right but there you go