Paperweights from England and Whitefriars for Sale

Allan's Paperweights

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Whitefriars and other English Paperweights for Sale

Whitefriars Glass dates from sometime in the 1600s. The original site had been occupied by a community of Carmelite monks known as White Friars, hence the name taken by the glass company. It was operated under the name of James Powell and Sons from 1834 to 1962, when it was renamed Whitefriars Glass. In 1980 they went out of business. After Whitefriars Glass was liquidated, Caithness Glass purchased the rights to the name and produced paperweights under the Whitefriars name for a while.

A quick summary of English paperweight production is given below. See the excellent book Old English Paperweights by Robert Hall for more detail.

George Bacchus and Son produced millefiori paperweights and inkwells in Birmingham from 1848 to possibly as late as 1890
Islington Glass Works produced millefiori paperweights in Birmingham around 1850
John Kilner produced green dump paperweights or doorstops in Wakefield from 1829 on. The company named changed to Kilner Brothers in 1844. Production is believed to have continued until about 1855.
Other companies in Yorkshire and the Midlands are also produced green dump paperweights or doorstops from 1830 until at least the early 1900s, if not later
H.G. Richardson produced millefiori paperweights and inkwells in Stourbridge from 1913 until some time in the 1920s
Arculus produced millefiori paperweights and other glassware in Birmingham from around 1920 to about 1941. During the period, Thomas and Noel Arculus left the company and produced similar items in their own factory
John Walsh Walsh produced millefiori paperweights and other glassware from about 1915 to about 1951. They acquired Arculus in 1931
Whitefriars is believed to have made some millefiori paperweights and inkwells in London in the 1920s and in 1945. It is difficult to associate specific paperweights with this production. After 1945, they made colored glass and bubble design paperweights until the modern millefiori production started about 1951. The Whitefriars firm closed in 1980 and the name was purchased by Caithness Glass
There were almost certainly other factories making similar paperweights in England during the period from 1848 to 1950. One collector, Alan Thornton, has conducted an extensive set of measurements of specific gravity and other characteristics and identified at least two other distinct groups of paperweights by unknown English factories. He has also identified a group of paperweights that do not fall neatly into one of the established groups (see Alan Thornton's article "Old English Paperweights: Specific Gravities, Two New Groups, and Many More Questions" in the 2007 Annual Bulletin of the Paperweight Collectors Association)

For a long time, collectors believed that English paperweights dated 1848 were made by Whitefriars. The dates, however, are false dates and have been traced to production at Arculus and Walsh-Walsh in the 1920s and 1930s. Most paperweights referred to as old Whitefriars or antique Whitefriars were, in fact, made by other factories such as Richardson, Arculus, Walsh-Walsh, or one of the unidentified Old English factories. When the maker can not be identified, it is best to call them Whitefriars type or even just Old English paperweights.

Modern Whitefriars paperweights are prized by collectors for their high quality glass and millefiori designs. The limited edition paperweights with mosaic canes are especially sought.

If you would like to purchase any of these paperweights, e-mail me at: aport@paperweights.com

1754 Rare Whitefriars Mayflower Paperweight.   circa 1970. This is a rare Whitefriars Paperweight commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Mayflower's landing in Plymouth Massachusetts in 1620. There are five concentric rings of millefiori canes surrounding a center mosaic cane depicting the Mayflower. This was the first limited edition paperweight created by Whitefriars. It is engraved on the base with the number 31. There is a Whitefriars signature cane with a white monk and the designation 1620 - 1970.
Size: 3 1/16" diameter by 1 7/8" tall. It is faceted with one top facet and five side facets. Excellent condition with no chips or cracks. There are a few bubbles in the glass and a few minor scratches on the base. The bottom is ground concave with the millefiori set close to the base (typical of Whitefriars weights). .
The central Mayflower mosaic cane was created by Ray Annenberg. Ray started working at Whitefriars in 1953 and became their chief cane maker in 1972.
$395 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.
Click on the picture to see a larger image

2177 Old English Concentric Paperweight.   circa 1920. This paperweight has four rings of transparent blue, white, and red millefiori canes around a blue and white central cane. The outer ring and the 2nd ring are all white. The maker cannot be identified. However, it has a cross cane found in the group of paperweights known as Old English group 1.
Size: 3 1/8" diameter by 2" tall. Very good condition with only minor surface wear. It has the setup and low profile typical to old English paperweights from factories such as Walsh-Walsh and Arculus.
$195 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.
Click on the picture to see a larger image

2202 Whitefriars Cone Shaped Faceted Concentric Paperweight.   circa 1978. This paperweight has five concentric rings of star and cog canes (green, yellow, red, green, and purple) around a complex center cane. The center cane consists of two additional rings of millefiori. There are six elongated side facets and one top facet. Typical heavy Whitefriars lead crystal. It is signed in cane with a Whitefriars signature cane with a white monk and the designation 1978. There is also a paper label "WHITEFRIARS FULL LED CRYSTAL MADE IN ENGLAND" (not shown in the pictures).
Large Size: 3" diameter by 3" tall. It is faceted with one top facet and six side facets. Signed in cane and dated 1978. The bottom is ground concave with the millefiori set close to the base (typical of Whitefriars weights). Also signed with the Whitefriars paper label.
Excellent condition: No flaws found on inspection.
$435 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.
Click on the picture to see a larger image

2200 Whitefriars Faceted Concentric Paperweight.   circa 1960-1980. This paperweight has five concentric rings of star canes (amber, white, and brown) around a star center. The second ring from the outside has alternating white and brown star canes. The white canes feature an unusual five pointed star with a white surround. Typical heavy Whitefriars lead crystal.
Large Size: 3 1/8" diameter by just over 1 7/8" tall. It is faceted with one top facet and five side facets. The bottom is ground concave with the millefiori set close to the base (typical of Whitefriars weights). Unsigned, but I guarantee that this is a modern Whitefriars paperweight.
Excellent condition. No flaws found on inspection.
$245 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.
Click on the picture to see a larger image

2201 Whitefriars Magnum Garland Paperweight.   circa 1976. This beautiful paperweight features intertwined millefiori garlands made of light green and light blue canes. In the center of the paperweight and in the center of each lobe is a pink and white complex cane. The ground is a dark blue (almost black). It is an extra large paperweight made of heavy lead crystal. A magnificent addition to any collection.
There is a Whitefriars signature cane with a white monk and the date 1976. The signature cane was placed upside down and is reversed. See close-ups.
Large Size: 3 5/16" diameter by 2 1/8" tall. It is faceted with one top facet and six side facets. Excellent condition with no chips or cracks. There are a few tiny bubbles in the glass.     SOLD
Click on the picture to see a larger image.
Click on the picture to see a larger image

2196 Vintage Magnum Whitefriars Paperweight Inkwell.   circa 1920-1930. This magnificent inkwell has a concentric pattern in both the base and the top.   The base has six concentric rings (blue, white, pink, blue white, pink) around a central floral cane. The stopper top has five concentric rings (blue, white, pink, blue, white) also around a central floral cane. The centers of many of the pink and blue canes are heart shaped, but I cannot be sure that was the maker's intent. It may be a distortion. The white canes have a five lobed floret in the center. There is also a slight foot at the base of the bottle.
This is probably the product of the Arculus or Walsh-Walsh factory.
Very Large Size: 3 7/8" diameter by 6 1/2" tall.
Excellent condition with no chips or cracks. There are a few bubbles in the glass including two long bubbles near the base. The bottom is ground concave with the millefiori set close to the base (typical of Whitefriars type weights).
This type of bottle typically carries an estimate in the $650 to $1,000 range in Selman's auctions.
$495 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.
Click on the picture to see a larger image

2286 Whitefriars Faceted Concentric Paperweight.   circa 1960-1980. This paperweight has six concentric rings of star canes (yellow, purple, green, yellow, purple, green) around a star center. It has an amber look, but the canes are more yellow than amber. Typical heavy Whitefriars lead crystal.
Large Size: 3" diameter by just over 2" tall. It is faceted with one top facet and five side facets. The bottom is ground concave with the millefiori set close to the base (typical of Whitefriars weights). Unsigned, but I guarantee that this is a modern Whitefriars paperweight.
Very good condition. However there are tiny flaws or nicks on the facets. There are also a few tiny bubbles in the glass typical of Whitefriars weights. Low price for a weight of this type.
$145 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.
Click on the picture to see a larger image

2298 Whitefriars Medium Pink Concentric Paperweight.   circa 1940-1980. This is an unusual medium sized concentric paperweight made up of four rings of pink and white star canes and pink, white, and yellow cog canes. There is a small foot on the bottom.
Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 2 1/4" tall. It is unfaceted. Unsigned, but I guarantee that this is a Whitefriars paperweight. I am uncertain of the exact age.
Very good condition. However there are some surface scratches and abrasions. There are also a few small bubbles in the glass. .
$125 postage paid in the US.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.
Click on the picture to see a larger image

1754	Rare Whitefriars Mayflower Paperweight. circa 1970. This is a rare Whitefriars Paperweight commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Mayflower's landing in Plymouth Massachusetts in 1620. There are five concentric rings of millefiori canes surrounding a center mosaic cane depicting the Mayflower. This was the first limited edition paperweight created by Whitefriars. It is engraved on the base with the number 31. There is a Whitefriars signature cane with a white monk and the designation 1620 - 1970. Size: 3 1/16" diameter by 1 7/8" tall. It is faceted with one top facet and five side facets. Excellent condition with no chips or cracks. There are a few bubbles in the glass and a few minor scratches on the base. The bottom is ground concave with the millefiori set close to the base (typical of Whitefriars weights). . The central Mayflower mosaic cane was created by Ray Annenberg. Ray started working at Whitefriars in 1953 and became their chief cane maker in 1972. $395 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2177	Old English Concentric Paperweight. circa 1920. This paperweight has four rings of transparent blue, white, and red millefiori canes around a blue and white central cane. The outer ring and the 2nd ring are all white. The maker cannot be identified. However, it has a cross cane found in the group of paperweights known as Old English group 1. Size: 3 1/8" diameter by 2" tall. Very good condition with only minor surface wear. It has the setup and low profile typical to old English paperweights from factories such as Walsh-Walsh and Arculus. $195 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2202	Whitefriars Cone Shaped Faceted Concentric Paperweight. circa 1978. This paperweight has five concentric rings of star and cog canes (green, yellow, red, green, and purple) around a complex center cane. The center cane consists of two additional rings of millefiori. There are six elongated side facets and one top facet. Typical heavy Whitefriars lead crystal. It is signed in cane with a Whitefriars signature cane with a white monk and the designation 1978. There is also a paper label "WHITEFRIARS FULL LED CRYSTAL MADE IN ENGLAND" (not shown in the pictures). Large Size: 3" diameter by 3" tall. It is faceted with one top facet and six side facets. Signed in cane and dated 1978. The bottom is ground concave with the millefiori set close to the base (typical of Whitefriars weights). Also signed with the Whitefriars paper label. Excellent condition: No flaws found on inspection. $435 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2200	Whitefriars Faceted Concentric Paperweight. circa 1960-1980. This paperweight has five concentric rings of star canes (amber, white, and brown) around a star center. The second ring from the outside has alternating white and brown star canes. The white canes feature an unusual five pointed star with a white surround. Typical heavy Whitefriars lead crystal. Large Size: 3 1/8" diameter by just over 1 7/8" tall. It is faceted with one top facet and five side facets. The bottom is ground concave with the millefiori set close to the base (typical of Whitefriars weights). Unsigned, but I guarantee that this is a modern Whitefriars paperweight. Excellent condition. No flaws found on inspection. $245 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2201	Whitefriars Magnum Garland Paperweight. circa 1976. This beautiful paperweight features intertwined millefiori garlands made of light green and light blue canes. In the center of the paperweight and in the center of each lobe is a pink and white complex cane. The ground is a dark blue (almost black). It is an extra large paperweight made of heavy lead crystal. A magnificent addition to any collection. There is a Whitefriars signature cane with a white monk and the date 1976. The signature cane was placed upside down and is reversed. See close-ups. Large Size: 3 5/16" diameter by 2 1/8" tall. It is faceted with one top facet and six side facets. Excellent condition with no chips or cracks. There are a few tiny bubbles in the glass. SOLD Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2196	Vintage Magnum Whitefriars Paperweight Inkwell. circa 1920-1930. This magnificent inkwell has a concentric pattern in both the base and the top. The base has six concentric rings (blue, white, pink, blue white, pink) around a central floral cane. The stopper top has five concentric rings (blue, white, pink, blue, white) also around a central floral cane. The centers of many of the pink and blue canes are heart shaped, but I cannot be sure that was the maker's intent. It may be a distortion. The white canes have a five lobed floret in the center. There is also a slight foot at the base of the bottle. This is probably the product of the Arculus or Walsh-Walsh factory. Very Large Size: 3 7/8" diameter by 6 1/2" tall. Excellent condition with no chips or cracks. There are a few bubbles in the glass including two long bubbles near the base. The bottom is ground concave with the millefiori set close to the base (typical of Whitefriars type weights). This type of bottle typically carries an estimate in the $650 to $1,000 range in Selman's auctions. $495 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2286	Whitefriars Faceted Concentric Paperweight. circa 1960-1980. This paperweight has six concentric rings of star canes (yellow, purple, green, yellow, purple, green) around a star center. It has an amber look, but the canes are more yellow than amber. Typical heavy Whitefriars lead crystal. Large Size: 3" diameter by just over 2" tall. It is faceted with one top facet and five side facets. The bottom is ground concave with the millefiori set close to the base (typical of Whitefriars weights). Unsigned, but I guarantee that this is a modern Whitefriars paperweight. Very good condition. However there are tiny flaws or nicks on the facets. There are also a few tiny bubbles in the glass typical of Whitefriars weights. Low price for a weight of this type. $145 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image
2298	Whitefriars Medium Pink Concentric Paperweight. circa 1940-1980. This is an unusual medium sized concentric paperweight made up of four rings of pink and white star canes and pink, white, and yellow cog canes. There is a small foot on the bottom. Size: 2 1/2" diameter by 2 1/4" tall. It is unfaceted. Unsigned, but I guarantee that this is a Whitefriars paperweight. I am uncertain of the exact age. Very good condition. However there are some surface scratches and abrasions. There are also a few small bubbles in the glass. . $125 postage paid in the US. Click on the picture to see a larger image.	Click on the picture to see a larger image

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Revised 11/9/2008