Topic: Paul Ysart certificates of authenticity

[cfosterk]

I have a couple of boxed 'Harland' weights that are accompanied by signed/dated certificates.

The certificates read "This is to certify that this paperweight has been designed and made by Paul Ysart, the master craftsman, at his workshop in Harland, Wick, Caithness. Each paperweight is signed with an 'H' cane to signify Made in Harland."

Signed in blue biro and typed date of August 1974. 

Do other collectors have similarly dated items? I'm curious how long this practise was followed....

[jamalpa36]

Hi

I also have two signed and dated certificates August 1974. Unfortunately I have no idea which weights they came with as they are stored separately.

I also have five of the blue certificates which are not signed or dated.

Roy

[KevinH]

The example of the same certificate illustrated in Colin Mahoney's book Masterworks: The Paperweights of Paul Ysart shows the same blue signature by Paul Ysart and the typed August 1974 date.

Perhaps all those particular certificates were signed and dated as a "job lot"?

[cfosterk]

Roy,

If this helps both my weights have a dark blue transparent (but mottled) cushion base - each weight is signed with a H cane within the design. Highly polished smooth base with no markings.

One is a simple butterfly with an outer of alternating spaced millefiori, the other a star patterned millefiori design with five spaced millefiori canes.

Kevin, it sounds like a batch lot as you suggest - I had wondered if other dates existed hence the posting. Perhaps the batch were intended for a specific retailer? The typed date is a little 'amateurish' as the typeface is uneven in terms of the amount of ink picked up by the typed keys. The signature is a joy to behold though....

[KevinH]

The "typed" parts were probably done with a rubber stamp - and variable amounts of ink in the pad and varying pressure on the stamp when used would account for unevenness of the imprint.

[jamalpa36]

Hi Kev

Good thought but I have just studied them both and they are Typed and I am glad to say that the signatures are not reproduced in any way and as you may remember I have about a dozen signatures by Paul in the days when I sent photographs to him for confirmation of his weights.

Roy

[Lustrousstone]

Probably just a worn out typewriter ribbon. Once they started to really go you had to bang hard to get enough ink.

[cfosterk]

Roy,

I totally agree about the type and the signature. The date clearly cant be printed/stamped as its just so uneven in tone and slightly offset - the 4 is almost on a different line on one certificate of mine!! Thats the reason for me describing it as amateur - probably home spun....

The signatures are not fascimilies either - slight differences to each. Elegant signature too, I think Paul took pride in signing his own name....

I would be very interested in other dates though.......