French Paperweights by Saint Louis (Compagnie des Cristalleries de Saint Louis). One of the greatest glassworks of all time, Saint Louis, located in Moselle, Lorraine, France, began producing crystal paperweights in the 1840s. They continued producing fine paperweights until about 1867. Due to increased collector interest, Saint Louis went about the task of re-learning the art of crystal paperweight manufacture in the early 1950s. An estimated 300-400 lampwork and millefiori weights were made there between 1952 and 1955. Paperweight production resumed at Saint Louis in 1965 and continues to the present, with their better weights produced in limited editions.
Saint Louis is a division of Hermes.
This last image is not included. I took it off the Internet.
PW3093. HUGE Magnum Saint Louis Museum Piece Limited Edition 1983. Montgolfier Balloon pedestal weight. Saint Louis made this to commemorate the 1783 launch of the first hot air balloon. The certificate states: “Saint Louis celebrates the bicentenary of the ascent by presenting a balloon in crystal whose design and decoration re-evoke the balloon of 1783.” The color is amazing with a beautiful deep double overlay blue (over white) and a lot of gilded gold. It is signed along the base “Saint Louis 012”. This was one of the first to be produced. (The others I have seen include the year 1983 and the number of the edition.) It is in perfect condition. Box and certificate included, but the condition of the box is not great because some crickets decided it was good to eat. They did not get inside the box. The form of this pedestal weight is designed after the design of the balloon and the lower part represents the basket in which the passengers would ride. There cannot possibly exist an example in better condition than this one. 3 3/8 inch diameter; 4 3/4 inches tall; one pound and ten ounces. The color of the images is too purple. It is actually a lovely blue.
The Montgolfier Brothers Hot Air balloon was the first hot air balloon to launch with passengers (a sheep, a duck, and a rooster) and stayed aloft for ten minutes. Being the first such successful balloon launch, as well as the first human flight in a subsequent launch, was a source of much pride to the French, similar no doubt to the great pride brought to America by the Wright Brothers’ winged flight more than a century later.
From Space.com: “In 1783, two brothers demonstrated their invention, the hot air balloon, before a crowd of dignitaries in Annonay, France.
Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier, prosperous paper manufacturers (a high-tech industry at the time), experimented with lighter-than-air devices after observing that heated air directed into a paper or fabric bag made the bag rise. After several successful tests, the brothers decided to publicly demonstrate their invention.
The Montgolfiers built a balloon made of silk and lined with paper that was 33 feet (10 meters) in diameter and launched it — with nobody aboard — from the marketplace in Annonay on June 4, 1783, the balloon rose to between 5,200 and 6,600 feet (1,600 to 2,000 m) and stayed aloft for 10 minutes, traveling more than a mile (about 2 kilometers).” $650
PW3132. Saint Louis/Hermes 1999 Museum Piece. “Les Petites Marguerites” Limited edition of only 150. A truly stunning bouquet. Fabulous work. Beautiful French glass art, crafted by the world’s greatest glass artisans at Saint Louis, France (a division of Hermes). 100% glass paperweight. Excellent condition with no problems whatsoever, as perfect as if you bought it at a fancy shop in Paris the year it was made. Signature cane: SL 1999. Numbered 93/150. Has box. Six side concave facets and one on the top. 3 1/4 inch diameter; 2 3/8 inches tall; one pound and nine ounces. $650
PW3253. Saint Louis/Hermes 1977 Super Magnum Museum Piece. Limited edition of 150. ““Crown/newel post with filigree.” Extra magnum size pedestal crown. Fantastic play of shape and color. Red, white, and blue complex twisted filigree with a pink rose at the apex. Signed with a signature cane in the base – “SL1977”. Condition is perfect. 4 inch diameter; 4 3/4 inches tall; three pounds. SOLD