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Caithness Glass

Reflections 4 - 1988

Reflections 4 - 1988

Thursday, 01 December 1988 14:24 |

Author: Caithness Glass |

Glass articles - Caithness Glass Co Ltd

Reflections 4 - 1988

Caithness Paperweights - Annual Review

EARTH FIRE WATER AIR from the 1989 ELEMENTS II set.

Annual Review
August from the 1990 Caithness Calendar.	Dear Collector... a message from Colin Terris	3
	Favourites of ’88... The year’s best seller	4
	Free Rein... Unbridled creations	5
	Caithness Globetrotters... ‘Time-out’	8
	Trophies and Awards... Extra special commissions	9
	Elements II... A new interpretation	10
	Opus ’88... The 1988 Caithness Collectors’ Paperweight	12
	Double Overlay, Double Magnum... A testing piece	13
	A Team Effort ... Joyce and William Manson	16
	Glossary of Terms... Terminology Explained	17
	Collectors Worldwide... Global News	18

Hot Glass	One-Off

‘Knockout!’	Excess glass or new design?
Director: Colin Terris U.K. Club Secretary: Caroline Clark Publication Coordinator: Mhairi Coull	Design, photography and production by Davis Design Studios, Glasgow. Colour Separation by Studio North, Leeds. Printed by Hawthomes Ltd.,

On the cover EARTH FIRE WATER AIR from the 1989 ELEMENTS II set.

Scotland’s Glass version 2008 with permission of Caithness Glass plc. By Frank Andrews and Wolf Seelentag.

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 3 Dear Collector...

Next year is the 20th Anniversary of the creation of Caithness modern paperweights. Looking back on those early days, I don't think any of us who were involved then ever thought that what began as interesting experiments would ever evolve into paperweight studios which would employ 45 people. We can't let such an occasion pass without doing something really special, therefore, 1989 will see the largest introduction of new weights ever. We'll also have a series of special paperweights directly evolving from those early days. The first special set is illustrated on the front cover and is a new interpretation of the four Elements issued in 1973. Another preview appears on the back cover. The other surprises - and there will be quite a few - will be revealed in January 1989. Yours Sincerely, Colin Terris

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 4

Favourites of '88

Whether you buy one paperweight a year or 50 your choice influences the popularity ranking of the annual collections. These are the nine best sellers of 1988.

Fiesta Aqua U/L Had retailers dancing in the aisles!	Blithe Spirit Ed. 150 Unreal sales!	Pinnacle Ed. 150 Top of the form!
Magic Lantern Ed. 750 Lit up your eyes!	Firecracker Ed. 750 Took off like a rocket!	Still Life Ed. 100 A genuine masterpiece
Snowflame Ed. 750 The edition has melted away!	Flight of Fancy Ed. 650 Up up and away!	Swan Lake Ed. 250 Full 'points' for interpretation.

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 5

Free Rein

Last year we invited all the glass-makers to create their interpretation of 'New Horizons'. This year they have been given 'free rein' on a subject matter.

Perth Paperweight Studio Team
©1988 Caithness Glass

Facetters and Lampworkers at Perth
©1988 Caithness Glass

Oban Paperweight Studio Team
©1988 Caithness Glass

This year we shall show you the results from Perth. Next year, we shall feature ideas from Oban.

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 6 & 7 Free Rein

Graham MacKenzie - Blue Reef	Shona Nicolson - Reflections
Brian Lawson - Scarlet Pimpernel	Helen Archer - Mystery Planet
Calum Anton - Maypole	Iain Beedie - Sentimental Journey
Davie Nicoll - Spring Fountain	Stuart Cumming - Knickerbocker Glory
Jeneo Lewis - Checks and Flower	Rosette Fleming - Emerald Butterfly
Jim Duncan - Butterfly and Flower	Fiona Steel - Coral Swirl
Allan Scott - Nocturnal Traveller	Harry McKay - Lapwing
Archie Anderson - Deep Space	Scott Miller - White Lightning
Dave Ramsay - Spring Blossom	John Spittal - Odd Man Out
Alan Scrimgeour - Quartet

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 8
Caithness Globetrotters	Business trips abroad are always looked upon as being a ‘holiday’ by those left behind. We hope that these snapshots will destroy that myth once and for all!

	Eat your heart out Gene Kelly! (CT and Peter Ford celebrate an Australian paperweight order at Darling Harbour, Sydney.)
	How to stop the traffic on Madison Avenue! (CT and Caithness Managing Director, Alistair Mair in New York)
	Caithness Glass Inc., Vice President, Don Parker, gives a briefing on the Double Magnum making technique to staff in Shreves Jewellers in San Francisco.
	Foreseeing future sales successes in Japan! (CT with the President of The Japanese Trading Organisation and a British Embassy Official)
	Sales and Marketing meeting, Mount Fuji! (CT and Sales Director, Peter Ford in Japan)
	Colin Terris discussing the Double Overlay technique with a Singapore Collector!
	Made it at last! (Outside Raffles, Singapore)

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 9
Trophies & Awards
Hardly a week goes past when we are not actively engaged in creating a special trophy for a special occasion. Usually the time scale we are given makes it impossible even to have time to photograph the piece before the delivery date is upon us. This year, however, we have made a big effort to keep some form of photographic record with Reflections IV in mind.

	Design - Margot Thomson

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 10 & 11 Elements II The bank of innovative paperweight techniques we have amassed since the first set of The Elements was made in 1973 has enabled us to create this new interpretation of this intriguing subject. The making of The Elements II set involves a fascinating and complex series of techniques. We have chosen to illustrate the stages required to produce 'Air'.
1. A small gather of clear glass is pressed into a sculpted carbon mould.	2. A light sprinkling of charcoal powder is applied.	3. After taking another small gather of clear glass, which turns the charcoal powder into a myriad of small bubbles, a hole is pierced in the centre of the glass.
4. This hole is formed into a bubble using a jet of compressed air.	5. The glass is then re-heated in the glory hole and	6. the pierced hole is sealed with tweezers.
7. The glass is then blocked perfectly round.	8. After another re-heat in the glory hole the complete glass area is pressed into a bubble mould which gives a geometric pattern of depressions, each of which will trap air when the next gather of glass is taken.	9. Once again the glass is blocked round and smooth.
10. A semi-overlay of cobalt blue is gathered on to the back of the piece and the excess snipped off.	11. After a series of blockings and re-heats the paperweight is 'cut-in' at the back to enable it to be separated from the blowing iron.	12. The final inspection.

WATER Underwater Wonderland	AIR Bubbles, bubbles everywhere
EARTH Basic Enigma	FIRE Shades of the Olympics

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 12

Opus ’88

The 1988 Collectors Weight

Such was the interest created by Magnum that we decided to miniaturise it to the standard paperweight size and offer it exclusively to Club members.

Set upon a vibrant cobalt blue base, a delicate rose form rests within a supportive flourish of delicate greenery. Opus ’88 has been issued in a limited edition of 1000 worldwide.

SOLD OUT

For details of how to become a Caithness Collectors’ Club member in the UK please write to:- Caroline Clark, Caithness Collectors’ Club. See pages 18/19 for details of Caithness Collectors’ Clubs worldwide.

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Paged 13, 14 & 15 Double Overlay - Double Magnum
We racked our brains for yet another outstanding task for Franco Toffolo and Stuart Cumming to take on this year. We finally decided to tackle a Double Magnum sized paperweight and to encase it in a double overlay using traditional techniques. Stuart made the internal design for the Double Magnum whilst, at the same time, Franco blew the double overlay casing. Our photographer, Ernie Davis, had to run between the two to capture each process simultaneously. Things were happening so fast that I was occupied full-time keeping Ernie supplied with film! When the weight had cooled down - some 26 hours later - we gave it to Alastair (Hercules!) Macintosh to cut and facet. Due to the weight of the piece - some 5kgs - it took Alastair 30 hours, over a five day period, to cut, rough grind, smooth grind, polish and finally rouge each of the 49 facets. This is one weight that will definitely remain as a ‘one-off’ much to the relief of our colleagues in the production department!

Stuart has taken three gathers of clear glass before rolling it in a tray containing crushed ruby glass.	He then re-heats the glass and picks up, on the front of the piece only, a thin layer of powdered white glass.	Using pincers he pulls out four legs from the body of the piece.	He then takes a further gather of clear glass and blocks it into shape.
5. At this stage it is still possible to remove any impurities in the glass but a close inspection determines that it is fault free.	6. Stuart now keeps the piece warm while Franco prepares the double overlay cup.
	As the double magnum is so large it retains its heat much longer than the normal sized paperweights. We have found the most accurate way of determining the correct temperature before placing the weight in the annealing kiln is to use the ‘hand test’!
Double Overlay, Double Magnum
Franco has taken a medium sized gather of clear glass and has blown it hollow.	He then takes a gather of molten white glass from a small furnace...	...and shears off the excess. After letting this cool for a short while	he takes a gather of molten green glass from another pot in the same small furnace.
He then blocks it and begins to blow a larger bubble.	After shaping and preparing the piece,	it is then ‘puntied’.	The neck of what is virtually a green over white bubble is very small.
He re-heats this and opens out the neck to a size large enough to envelope, or ‘case’, the paperweight.	The cup is then cracked off and placed upright in a holder...	...and the Double Magnum inserted.	This entire piece is then re-heated to as high a temperature as possible in the glory hole.
Using his carbon palette Franco shapes the cup over the paperweight, then	re-heats and 'marvers' to ensure no air is trapped between the cup and weight.	After 'cutting-in' and	snipping-off excess glass Franco blocks to the traditional paperweight shape.
Using a pad of damp newspaper the weight is given its final spherical shape,	then a final 'cut-in' at the back.	It is knocked off the iron and carefully placed on the marver to cool.	The annealing time is discussed and the cooling period of 26 hours is agreed upon.

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 16

A Team Effort

Joyce and William Manson are a husband and wife team who specialise in traditional style paperweights. Willie does his own lampwork and Joyce assists him during the paperweight making process.

The finished piece ‘Dragonfly’ - a multi-facetted three level traditional paperweight with a delicate moss green semi-overlay.

Willie with a selection of coloured glass rods used in the creation of ‘Dragonfly’!	Using a pure propane burner, to have the finest flame possible, the flower head is created petal by petal.	Likewise, the Dragonfly is created piece by piece and then fused together with great care.
Next the reeds and foxgloves are created.	All the different elements needed to complete the Dragonfly paperweight.	Joyce gives Willie a very small ‘drop-on’ of clear glass which is used to separate each level of lampwork.

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 17 Glossary of Terms
Priscillas - Used mainly to ‘cut-in’ and narrow the back of a paperweight to enable us to separate it from the blowing iron.	Hot-Finish - An alternative method to the more usual grinding and polishing technique. A super hot flame using oxygen and propane melts in the punty mark left when the paperweight is knocked off the iron.
Shears - Available in a variety of patterns to cut and snip the glass in individual ways. Illustrated are normal and diamond shears.	Latticino & Filligree - Opaque white spiral threads of glass within a clear glass rod are the hallmarks of latticino - literally meaning ‘soft milk’ in Italian. Filligree, on the other hand, is the same technique but using coloured threads of twisted glass.
Paper Pad - Numerous sheets of newspaper soaked in water, which are hand held to shape and form hot glass (see Double Overlay Double Magnum pages 13, 14, 15).	‘Ferrules’ - Steel base plates into which specific patterns have been carved to retain fine millefiori rods. This gives an accurate pick-up for patterned Millefiori paperweights.
Pincers - As the name implies, used to pull-out small areas or selected sections of molten glass.

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 18 &19

Collectors Worldwide

International reports from Caithness Collectors Club secretaries around the globe.

{2008 - Addresses are no longer valid}

U.S.A.

The Secretary, Caithness Collectors’ Club, Caithness Glass Inc., Building 12, 141 Lanza Avenue, GARFIELD, NJ. 07026, U.S.A.

The U.S. Collectors’ Club continues to grow in size. It is nice to be adding new members: however, it is equally as gratifying to have so many membership renewals. Everyone is always anxious to have Colin visit their part of the country for in-store appearances during one of his rare trips to the U.S. since our members thoroughly enjoy meeting him at these events. He could spend much more time here and still not get to all the places where people would like to have him visit.

We have recently changed the format of our newsletter to more closely parallel the format used by the U.K.Club and we hope our members will be pleased with the results. At the present time we are working on an updated dealer listing so it will be easier for Collectors to know the location of the nearest Caithness gallery where they can see a large selection of paperweights on display. There has been great enthusiasm over “Chorale” throughout the year and based on the fantastic reception to the treble magnum, “Magnum Opus,” by our dealers, we expect “Opus ’88” to sell out quickly.

There are many aspects and diversified responsibilities in a small company that make each of our positions interesting, challenging and ever changing. The most rewarding, though, is our contact with both our dealers and Collectors... and talking and writing to those people who value each Caithness paperweight as a treasured possession.

Charlotte Judd

UNITED KINGDOM

The Secretary, Caithness Collectors’ Club, Caithness Glass Plc, Inveralmond, PERTH PH1 3TZ. Scotland.

It is most encouraging to be able to welcome another three branches of the Caithness Collectors’ Club into our worldwide family, which means we are now truly international. As the UK branch of the Caithness Collectors’ Club continues to grow, we here at Perth have been working hard to try to improve all aspects of the Collectors’ Club in order to provide an even better service to all Club members.

Being based here at the Perth Paperweight Studios means that I have the pleasure of meeting probably more Collectors than would the other Club Secretaries, as Collectors visit from all over the world. To see the delight on their faces as they tour the paperweight making studios and watch the craftsmen at work, is an added bonus. A visit to Perth is worth while for Collectors as they have the opportunity to see the complete glass making process, from the raw materials to the finished product, and to visit the paperweight museum where over 600 Caithness paperweights are on display.

This year’s Collectors’ Weight, “Opus ’88”, which is available to all branches or the Collectors’ Club, is already proving to be one of the fastest selling paperweights ever. Already hundreds of orders have been received here at Perth and, as the other Club Secretaries start to place their orders, I’m sure the edition of 1,000 will sell out very quickly.

The launch of our first Caithness Calendar has been a major success which, I’m sure, is due to the stunning shots of our favourite Caithness Paperweights, shown in a way which has never been seen before. Judging by the sales of the Calendars, Collectors worldwide, must agree. We are all looking forward to next year’s Collection which is going to be an extra special one as we celebrate 20 years of Caithness paperweights in 1989.

Caroline Clark

CANADA

The Secretary, Caithness Collectors’ Society, Frederick Dickson & Company, 28 Carnforth Road, TORONTO, Ontario, M4A 2K7, Canada.

START PRESS! Let’s get the production line rolling! We launched our club at the beginning of June 1988 with an introductory letter sent out to all registered addresses in our country. As we are approaching the end of the year. I am proud to say that to date we have over 200 members and we are still growing. Thanks to the help from fellow Caithness Secretaries, our launch has been a success.

When I was first appointed to be the Caithness Secretary, my first reaction was one of apprehension, but I was very proud to be given this honor. It is just like learning how to skate again. When you are inexperienced or not fully knowledgeable about a product you are dealing with, your ability to teach and sell to others is weakened. However, as time has passed, I have learned a great deal about paperweights and my appreciation for them has greatly increased.

I am really looking forward to the growth of our Collectors Club.Right now it is only a part time job, but as time goes on, it will definitely become a full time effort. Our first newsletter is scheduled to be released in October. This will be a very exciting project, which will give me the opportunity to share all my interesting knowledge with our Collectors. We will be using our new computer laser scanner to assist in production.

Many compliments to all of the Caithness crew for their extraordinary work. I am looking forward to the remainder of 1988 and to the new year, as are all of our Collectors.

Jack Zeronian

THE NETHERLANDS (HOLLAND)

The Secretary, Caithness Collectors’ Club, De Vingerhoed, Bos & Vaartlaan 34, 1181 AB AMSTELVEEN, Holland.

Let me introduce myself! My name is Mylène de Wever and I joined Bos & Vaart Collectables in June 1988. As you can see, I was thrown into the deep end straight away as I was appointed Secretary of the new Dutch Paperweight Club.

We mailed approximately 80 addresses accumulated by Perth over the past years and can boast an astonishing response of about 60%!! This is a tremendous score if you realize that a direct mailing normally scores only a mere 5 -10%! We are of the opinion that this can only be the result of the quality of the Caithness products, the enthusiasm of our members for this highly collectable item and to a small degree, our own approach.

Now, near the end of 1988, the Caithness Collectors Club Nederland (as it’s official name is) has 80 members and the number is growing rapidly. Not bad for a very small country - to reach this figure in less than 6 months!

In September we had our Autumn Fair at the Royal Dutch Trade Show in Utrecht, which is comparable with the Frankfurter Messe and the Birmingham Spring Fair. During this Fair Bos & Vaart Collectables introduced the newest Caithness Paperweights as well as the Caithness Contemporary Crystal Collection. We are proud to be able to tell you that Caithness was elected as one of the few innovative products at this Fair.

I am looking forward to the new Collection which will undoubtedly again be excellent and bear thrilling names. I must admit that I’ve been captured by the spell and can’t wait to add some of the new designs to my own fast growing collection. For the first time this year we will be offering the exclusive Club paperweight to our Collectors.

Mylène de Wever

SWITZERLAND

The Secretary, Caithness Collectors’ Club, Kappelacker, CH-8581 ZIHLSCHLACHT, Switzerland.

My steadily growing “family” of Caithness Club members has kept me on my toes with a constant stream of enquiries and exchange of views.

In July I decided to make my home “open house” for all Club members, with an exhibition of the complete 1988 range and my own collection from past years, which created considerable interest.

One of our members had decided, absolutely, that she wanted a Jupiter 1987, and appealed to me to help her find one. By chance, I had planned three days later to attend an exhibition of glass in Schaffhausen, and whilst looking at a showcase of various exhibits was astonished to see a Jupiter nestling at the back! Our member, who was due to go in to hospital shortly afterwards, was overjoyed, and I would like to imagine that Jupiter, sitting on her bedside table, played some part in her speedy recovery.

On another occasion, we had an engineer from the Swiss telephone company checking our installation. Upstairs, where he was working, I had about fifteen paperweights on top of a chest. Intrigued, he asked me about them, and I explained what they were and how they were made (the literal translation of the German word for a paperweight “Briefbeschwerer” is “letterweight”). He was greatly impressed and told me that he would start a collection, but then his face fell: “But I never write letters”, he said sadly, “I always use the telephone, so I would have no use for them!”

Now I look forward to see the response from our members to the beautiful new calendar and the Collectors’ paperweight and to a busy end to the year.

Ursula Schefer

AUSTRALIA

The Secretary, Caithness Collectors’ Club, Cambur Industries PTY Ltd., 538 Mountain Highway, Bayswater, MELBOURNE 3153, Australia.

1989 will see the birth of the Collectors’ Club in Australia, although we have many Collectors already registered with the club in Scotland.

During 1988 we were fortunate to be visited by Colin Terris and Peter Ford, who created the “spark” required in establishing the Collectors’ Club.

The next few months will see us programming our computer for customer mailings and registrations.

Once established I look forward to receiving all registrations, particularly as I am curious as to which paperweights people select.

It would be interesting to note if one area of our large country chooses a colour different to another, eg: Queensland, which is one of our warmer states, as against Victoria, a cooler state?

Although a novice with Caithness Paperweights, I have readily accepted their beauty and the glassmakers ability to produce these pieces of art. I look forward to seeing the new range from Caithness.

Janice Jeffs

GERMANY / AUSTRIA

The Secretary, Caithness Paperweight Sammlerclub, Präsent Sterling, Langäcker 18, D8918 DIESSEN 3, W. Germany.

The optimistic trends noted in the previous “Reflections” for 1987 continue to be realised. The number of registered Collectors has significantly increased as, indeed, have the variety and imagination in the range of paperweights being produced over the year.

I should like to use this opportunity to thank all our listed Collectors Club members for their continued interest, and I would welcome a step-up in direct contacts and comments to us with regard to their personal response to the new designs being introduced into the collection. Out of the current 1987/1988 range of paperweights the most popular ones in Germany and Austria have been the following:

Limited Editions: Space Frontier, Crusader, Listener.
Unlimited Editions: All Black & White designs, such as Acrobat Jet, Cauldron Sable, Moonflower Black & White, Tango Sable, Snow Trail Clear.

Many new retail shops now stock Caithness Paperweights, and Collectors should be able to find good selections within their own areas. For further information on retail outlets they should contact us direct.

Heide Moore

Reflections 4 - 1988 - Page 20

Annual Review

Back cover

MOONFLOWER CELEBRATION
To celebrate 20 years of Caithness paperweights we have created a special
limited edition of our first unlimited design, Moonflower. (Edition 500)

Caithness Glass PLC, Inveralmond, Perth PH1 3TZ, Scotland.
Tel: 0738 37373. Telex: 76663. Fax: 0738 22494.