Glass Message Board

Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Anne on January 25, 2010, 02:14:32 AM

Title: Bielby [ Beilby ] goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
Post by: Anne on January 25, 2010, 02:14:32 AM
Just spotted an interesting story on our BBC Local Radio Cumbria website, about the Bielby goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven, and thought others might like to read it too:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cumbria/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8472000/8472860.stm
Title: Re: Bielby goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
Post by: Lustrousstone on January 25, 2010, 07:44:27 AM
What an interesting "life" it's led. Thank you
Title: Re: Bielby goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
Post by: Bernard C on January 25, 2010, 08:34:02 AM
Anne — Thanks for that.   Fascinating.

I'm intrigued by the spelling "Bielby", which could be a legitimate alternative, although that's unlikely.

I do enjoy good provenance, and find it so sad when dealers and auction houses lose it unnecessarily.

Bernard C.  8)
Title: Re: Bielby goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
Post by: Lustrousstone on January 25, 2010, 09:53:14 AM
Look like BBC typo to me!
Title: Re: Bielby goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
Post by: David E on January 25, 2010, 10:31:51 AM
There is a very tenuous link between Beilby glass and Chance Brothers - can anyone guess? It is very obscure but there nonetheless.
Title: Re: Bielby goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
Post by: oldglassman on January 25, 2010, 06:52:04 PM
Hi All ,   Yes an interresting article :hiclp: , oooops got the name wrong  :spls:, but also they say Beilby was a glassmaker , in fact he was only the decorator the glasses being obtained from elsewere, the story of the Cumbrian Slave triangle is a facinating one especially as I also own an important very large 18thc goblet relating to one of the most important Whitehaven families of the time , the Senhouse's,   the goblet is engraved 'Success to the Senhouse' a 4 masted brig and hops and barley motives , it can be seen in the post of my goblet collection in the refference section ,

cheers ,
          Peter
Title: Re: Bielby goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
Post by: Anne on January 26, 2010, 03:15:36 AM
I thought the spelling didn't look right but I was too idle to go check it!  :-[  Whitehaven is one of those fascinating places which isn't very well known. We went a few years ago to the Maritime Festival - loads of tall ships and nautical activities, great fun. It was a red hot day, I got sunburned and managed to find some interesting sets of tumblers and sundae dishes and a batch of assorted candlesticks in the charity shops up there, so came back a bit loaded! There's also a great exhibition all about the import of rum, which was one of the main trades through the port, along with tobacco and slaves. It was also the site of an attack by the American Navy during the War of Independence - John Paul Jones led the unsuccessful attack, and is commemorated in the town in the name of one of the pubs.  It also houses the tax office for this area, which we visited on another trip the day my very much alive dearly beloved received a letter from them addressed to Mr B.J. Morgan, deceased. That was entertaining to say the least!!!  :24:

I'll have to go take a peep at your Senhouse goblet Peter - there's some interesting glass associated with this area, Lucks especially. Senhouse is now remembered in the name of the Roman history museum just outside Maryport.
Title: Re: Bielby [ Beilby ] goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
Post by: Anne on January 28, 2010, 12:41:23 AM
I've just been browsing the Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead,  website where the name is also spelled Bielby in one page and Beilby in four other places - seems they are as confused as we are! ;D
Title: Beilby goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
Post by: David E on January 28, 2010, 08:38:36 AM
The two books written by James Rush are quite clear:

The Ingenious Beilbys‎, 1973
A Beilby Odyssey, 1987


I suspect Rush, having taken the trouble to research them, would have been faced with the same quandary, but decided on Beilby as the correct spelling.
Title: Re: Bielby [ Beilby ] goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
Post by: Bernard C on January 28, 2010, 09:55:09 AM
The following link also yields a fascinating anecdote about George Washington's grandmother and slavery:

  • http://www.lakestay.co.uk/slave.htm

    • ... and on the subject of GW's ancestors, some years ago Janet and I went for a walk around Sulgrave.   It was depressing.   The place was deserted, all electric gates, video cameras, and high fences protecting weekend retreats.   Worst of all, the village shop and Post Office had closed.   So, as you can imagine, I was quite pleased to read a report yesterday that the residents of Sulgrave have reopened the shop and Post Office.   So, if you're thinking of visiting the ancestral Washington home, take a little extra time to explore the village and spend some money in the shop.

    Bernard C.  8)
    Title: Re: Bielby [ Beilby ] goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
    Post by: Anne on January 28, 2010, 02:51:04 PM
    Interesting that, Bernard, thank you, as the Washington family also had land and property in Warton, north Lancashire (http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Warton-near-Lancaster/index.html) (3 miles from me) which they acquired c.1300 - the stars and stripes flies in Warton as a tribute to this and the local pub is named after George Washington. The Washingtons actually exchanged some land to the north of Kendal for some in Warton with one of the Docwras (my area of interest) some time in the 1400s, and married into the Stricklands who are also interlinked with the Docwras. One day I really must get to visit Sulgrave Manor!
    Title: Re: Beilby goblet in the Beacon Museum at Whitehaven
    Post by: oldglassman on February 02, 2010, 10:26:25 AM
    Quote
    I suspect Rush, having taken the trouble to research them, would have been faced with the same quandary, but decided on Beilby as the correct spelling.


     Hi All , I doubt very much if Rush was in any quandry over the spelling as there are many glasses that are signed by Beilby with this spelling.

    Peter.