Topic: Isle of Wight Glass Michael Harris signature

[PaulFitz]

Would MH signature be on Timothy Harris designed Firecracker and Golden Rain export pieces.Thanks.

[Lustrousstone]

It wouldn't be impossible, as both ranges were within his lifetime, but the question is is it likely? He was notably reluctant to put his signature on much and would he put it on something Tim designed even if her did make it?

[PaulFitz]

It wouldn't be impossible, as both ranges were within his lifetime, but the question is is it likely? He was notably reluctant to put his signature on much and would he put it on something Tim designed even if her did make it?

My thoughts as well.There are 5 Firecracker & Golden Rain pieces,all signed.

[glassobsessed]

His signature is much more common on IoWSG items - two decades worth as opposed to 4 years at Mdina. If it was considered to be a good marketing strategy then I see no reason why his signature would not be used.

Any photos of the signatures in question?

John

[PaulFitz]

His signature is more common on IoWSG items - two decades worth as opposed to 4 years at Mdina. If it was considered to be a good marketing strategy then I see no reason why his signature would not be used.

Any photos of the signatures in question?

John
 
Unfortunately i don't have permission.

[chopin-liszt]

The original Firecracker was designed by Iestyn Davies while training there, and is very early, but not a Michael Harris design or Tim's.
I think Tim did a reprisal, much later on though.
I very, very, very much doubt MH would have signed anything he had not made and designed himself.
I would doubt 5 bits of Iestyn Davies Firecracker turning up at once - unless somebody had been dedicatedly squirrelling for years and finding it before I did. 

[PaulFitz]

The original Firecracker was designed by Iestyn Davies while training there, and is very early, but not a Michael Harris design or Tim's.
I think Tim did a reprisal, much later on though.
I very, very, very much doubt MH would have signed anything he had not made and designed himself.
I would doubt 5 bits of Iestyn Davies Firecracker turning up at once - unless somebody had been dedicatedly squirrelling for years and finding it before I did. 

I suspect that these are from around 1985-86 as there are 3 Firecracker and 2 Golden Rain pieces.There is also a Seascape bowl in the collection with no signature.If someone was applying signatures,why not this.

[glassobsessed]

He was notably reluctant to put his signature on much

This is true as far as it goes but there are still plenty of large items from Mdina with his signature on. The vast majority of stuff was not signed but that still leaves many that were. This notion of not adding a signature seems more of a contemporary bit of marketing to me. Michael Harris's signature is occasionally found on items made at Mdina and his signature was used on marketing materials produced at the time.

I very, very, very much doubt MH would have signed anything he had not made and designed himself.

Why? Was he not proud of the glass made by his company? His signature is far more common on IoWSG items - just look at the large number of pedestal paperweights with his signature on, or tortoiseshell squat bottles and inside out vases. He signed Azurene fish vases - not entirely all his own design.

To have made a success of two new start up companies in a brand new field I imagine took some doing, a significant achievement, he would have been aware of the potential marketing value of his name and signature and did use it to benefit his companies.

This idea that he did not sign has become over romanticised, to much reliance has been placed on the notion. It is not born out by the evidence. Very handy for collectors to perpetuate though...

[glassobsessed]

Very hard to comment on the items in question directly as we have not seen them.

[Paul S.]

  ………………   or even perpetuate ………………