Paperweight

1. Alan,I have some additional information to share on the Steuben/Pairpoint paperweights with red, white and blue spirals surrounding a bubble ball. I have seen and handled several of these paperweights and their quality is always slightly less than that of Steuben. I believe that they are neither Steuben or Pairpoint, but Corning whimseys. I used to own an example that was signed in diamond point: STEUBEN E. L. CORNING NY 1969.

Someone with access to the 1969 Corning records should be able to identify “E. L.” Perhaps this refers to the Corning Artist/Designer Emil Lie.

Bob Bjork,
Stonington, CT.

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2. Alan, let me add my opinion to this and perhaps it will help. The paperweights with the white cane swirl, burmese swirl, or any number of color combinations that he could get were made by Blair Hardenburg who was a server for Steuben. Although it is hard to tell from the picture, the upper weight shows a very clear and distinct reflection. This would indicate to me that it probably is made from an optical clear glass and is Steuben. The lower weight doesn’t show that high type of reflection which would indicate to me that the material used was of a lower quality indicating Pairpoint. Also Blair was quite consistant with his artistic abilities and his air bubble inserts are fairly uniform, where as the bottom weight’s air bubble is a little to elongated. Incidentally Blair and sold (many were signed he had a pen) that for awhile Steuben put them in their standard line and guess who made them with the Pairpoint weight production, who was a good friend of Blair’s, and Pairpoint is where Blair bought his cane rods from.
Bobby Rockwell

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3. Another such example of very similar designs between Steuben and Pairpoint is shape 7734 Selenium Red cigarette holder. Pairpoint made an extremely similar holder right down to the clear M handles and base.

Harry Morgan
Beverly, MA