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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Paperweights => Resolved Paperweight Queries => Topic started by: paperweights on June 06, 2014, 10:07:09 PM

Title: ID sig on Frit Weight with Rocket circling moon. ID = John D. Murphy, West Va.
Post by: paperweights on June 06, 2014, 10:07:09 PM

I'm posting this in hopes that someone can read the signature and can provide information about the artist.  The paperweight features a frit design of a rocket ship circling the moon.

http://paperweights.com/paperweights/pw3047sig.jpg (http://paperweights.com/paperweights/pw3047sig.jpg)

http://paperweights.com/paperweights/pw3047sm.jpg (http://paperweights.com/paperweights/pw3047sm.jpg)

Thanks

Title: Re: ID for Frit Weight with Rocket circling the moon - can't read signature
Post by: Sach on June 07, 2014, 03:10:39 AM

J Murphy

Title: Re: ID for Frit Weight with Rocket circling the moon - can't read signature
Post by: paperweights on June 07, 2014, 04:51:22 AM

Thanks.  That was what I was thinking --- do you know anything about him?  It would be nice if someone else has a signed example to compare the signature. 

Melvin's book on American Glass Paperweights and their makers lists a John D. Murphy at Fostoria Glass in West Virginia.  However, Melvin describes him as working free-hand without dies and this paperweight was clearly created with precision, probably with a die. 

Title: Re: ID for Frit Weight with Rocket circling the moon - can't read signature
Post by: Wuff on June 07, 2014, 08:11:51 AM

I have images of a few of his signatures, taken off ebay, looking exactly the same: I could send them to you via mail directly, for your personal use, if you are interested.

But let's wait if Derek speaks up here: I have discussed Joe Murphy's weights with him, quite a few years ago - and he even sent me an image of JM, finishing off one of the table lamps he does.

Title: Re: ID for Frit Weight with Rocket circling the moon - can't read signature
Post by: SimonD on June 07, 2014, 11:18:21 AM

Anyone know the approximate age of this weight, or if it commemorates an event?

Title: Re: ID for Frit Weight with Rocket circling the moon - can't read signature
Post by: paperweights on June 07, 2014, 02:48:14 PM

Hi Wuff,

Thanks for the response.  Yes, I would like to see images of his signature.  Are you saying the name is Joe Murphy --- not the John Murphy who worked in West Virginia in the US? 

You can find my email by clicking on the link for my website below.

Title: Re: ID for Frit Weight with Rocket circling the moon - can't read signature
Post by: paperweights on June 08, 2014, 03:32:33 PM

Quick update.  Wuff provided images of the signature that matched my Rocket paperweight and also Tom Feit at the West Virginia Museum of American Glass provided further verification. 

The artist's name is John D. Murphy.  He is listed in Melvin's book American Glass Paperweights and their Makers.  Tom knew him personally and the Museum has signed examples of his work. 

Thanks again.

Title: Re: ID for Frit Weight with Rocket circling the moon - can't read signature
Post by: Derek on June 08, 2014, 08:47:15 PM

Hi all

Although Allan has established that the artist in question is John Murphy, Wuff is correct in saying that I was discussing JOE Murphy with him.

For the record here is the picture I have of Joe, sent to me by his daughter and also the weight of Joe's that I purchased from her.

Derek

Title: Re: ID for Frit Weight with Rocket circling the moon - can't read signature
Post by: paperweights on June 08, 2014, 09:48:09 PM

Thanks Derek,

Hopefully someone will be able to explain the relationship between the two Murphy's.  There is a picture of John D. Murphy in the Melvin book. 

Allan

Title: Re: ID for Frit Weight with Rocket circling the moon - can't read signature
Post by: paperweights on June 08, 2014, 11:04:41 PM

I heard back from Tom Feit at the West Virginia Museum of Glass.  He confirmed that Derek's picture is of the person he knows as John Murphy.  He commented that they sell John's paperweight lamps in the museum store.  So, Joe and John are the same person.