ABCR Auctions / Auction #32 - 14/04/2018 / Glassware Uranium / Lot 566

Embossing: Fabulous Uranium Glass Paperweight in Shape of a Highly Detailed Lion with British Registration Diamond and Anchor with JD initials. (This glass design (Parcel No.4) was registered on the 3rd of July 1874 by: John Derbyshire, Manchester). Type: Glassware Uranium / Era: 1874 / Variety: Fabulous Uranium Glass Highly Detailed Lion with British Registration Diamond and Anchor. / Height: 185 mm long / Condition: Very Good. A fabulous piece, not the same example in the previous auction. Some grime. Making split below the lion's chin goes across to the right of his mane. Several other fold type manufacturing marks to be found. Flake to upper edge of the pedestal, there is also a sliver and a few little nicks to this edge. Hard to see, fine 14 mm fracture under the base from a little impact. Wear to base edge. The ribbed base edge has flakes and nibbles at top and bottom of the ribs. Front underside has a 10 x 6 mm chip. The inner surface of the lion has a pitted effect from manufacture. A wonderful item. The Derbyshires were a glassmaking family based in the Manchester area. The firm was first established in 1858 at City Road, Hulme, and was known as The British Union Flint Glass Works. By 1868, there was another factory at Trentham St, Hulme, which was run by the brothers James, John and Thomas. It was during this period that the first designs were registered which can be attributed to the brothers and to Hulme. These items are quite rare. They traded under the name of J.J. & T. Derbyshire until 1873, when John left. John Derbyshire set up the Regent Road Flint Glassworks in Salford trading for 4 years under this name, during which time the trade mark was used. In 1876 the firm was renamed Regent Flint Glass Company. In August 1873 John Derbyshire registered his first design: goblets which have the pattern number underneath the trademark. The most successful design was registered on 3rd July 1874, which was a paperweight in the form of a lion, and which was produced in clear, frosted and coloured glass. In 1876, there was a winged sphinx paperweight, produced in frosted, flint and black glass. In September 1874, there was a greyhound paperweight, and in November 1874 a figure of Britannia. The design for the Punch and Judy pair of figures was not registered, but they are trademarked. There are no more designs registered after 1876. The parent company became James Derbyshire and Sons, and by the 1880s is also listed at Regent Road Works, Salford. / Grade: 7.5 / Estimate: $ 300 - $ 400