First - I may have to apologise: looking at the image of the "1983 LE 250" weight, I may have been wrong to put this in a comparison image with footed weights ... likely not footed at all (not quite clear on image, and no indication in correspondence). Possibly there was just an unfooted version as well (not shown in catalogues, with lower LE).
Now - let's summarize information on the footed weights:
1) There are two faceted versions - one with plain, the other with star cut base. Unless Ian has mixed up years on his image, there is a star cut version already in 1979 (first year of issue - no star cut indicated in catalogue image) as well as later (1984) ... where both produced in parallel?
- Cazza has shown us a
star cut version signed 1979 128/450- Sophie mentions a star cut version signed 1980 290/450
- so it could well be that the same design was still made in 1984
- Ian: what edition numbers are your 1979 and 1984 facetted weights?
Sorry - just note that I had missed second page of this thread with your info: 1979 is 110 of 450 ... and ... 1984 is 154 of 250.2) The 1983 weight is signed 96/250: doesn't fit in (290/450 in 1980 already) ... another indication it is a different (e.g. unfooted) design.
But would fit in with 1984 is 154 of 250. Do we have 3 different footed versions after all?3) The unfaceted weights seem not to be limited ... likely just unfinished for one or another reason, but still considered sufficient quality to be sold.
4) There doesn't seem to be any green leaves in the design - just the green encased PH cane "acting as stalk".
Any comments or corrections?