Sulphide

This "Woman's Head" Sulphide weight is probably one of a group of three that were referred to in an article by John Morley in the 1983 "PCA Bulletin" (page 29). In one pictured in that article, the cameo is identical to the one above but does not have the applied blue lines. Also, the canes are identical but set as a simpler, single-row garland with alternating canes. The other weight was stated as being in Paul Ysart's collection - I have seen a photograph (taken at Paul Ysart's home) of a "Woman's Head" weight but it has a different image and has a clear ground. It is, however, signed "P. Ysart" to the reverse of the sulphide.

In Mr Morley's article these weights were said to be "one of the first with a PY cane" and dated to 1946 or 1947. I would suggest that dating is mistaken, since there are many examples of signed 1930s weights (with two examples illustrated in a book published in 1940).