This is another lovely vintage paperweight entitled Pluto. It is an early Caithness weight. It dates to 1971 and is CT-5C It is classified as being designed by Colin Terris.
It was designed only a year after he was appointed as Design Director in 1970. It is one of his much sought weights initially issues as part of the Planets Set (Third Series) of three weights. The other weights would have been the Sun and Moon.
Terris revolutionized paperweight design by instigating a shift towards more abstract styles and away from traditional techniques. He worked at Caithness alongside Paul Ysart and remained at Caithness as one of their leading designers for over 30 years. .
This early weight was a limited edition of 500. The one is numbered on the base 458 / 500. It also has the etched title: Pluto / CG 1973. It also has an early Caithness Glass paper label. It also has an etched mark CT / PH. The weight was a collaborative work by Terris and Peter Holmes. Terris designed the weight which was made by Holmes. Given that the number on my weight is a higher one in the issue - and it is dated 1973 - I think that this was made a little time after its original 1971 design date.
The weight has a clear plum coloured ground with an abstract blue rippling shape made up of air bubbles. There are little bubles around the edge on the base - and three larger ones float in the crown of weight.
It is in good condition with no chips or scratches etc. I have taken lots of images for you to look at all the details in close-up. It was a little difficult to photograph - so I hope that my photos do it justice.
It is a large weight measuring: It is 2 3/4 inches in height with a diameter of 3 inches.
It comes with its original dark blue Caithness presentation box - which is pretty good condition given that it is now over 50 years old. The interior of the box is silk lined. It has a couple of little areas of discolouration to the silk - where the foam below has naturally over time discoloured the white material. It would be easy enough to replace the original white silk.
It also has its original certificate, as photographed. It states that this weight had been hand-made at Wick, Scotland. There is also a sticker on the back which says that it was £12.50 on release 50 years ago (Yowzah! this would be an equivalent of £210 in 2026 - so it was quite an expensive item when first issued).
Again, this is not such a common weight, and this is reflected in my asking price. It is one of the earliest weights made at Caithness and is certainly of historical interest.
Postage will be with Royal Mail Tracked (Small Parcel) Postage. This will be applied at check out.