Identification

Selkirk Glass 'Mayflower' Limited Edition Paperweight, 1984

Photo reference

4 uploaded photos

Overview

A beautiful, hand-blown Scottish art glass paperweight featuring a swirling, oceanic blue and silver-foil interior with a central controlled bubble. This piece is a numbered, limited edition work of art, hand-engraved on the base by the maker.

Story

Selkirk Glass was founded in 1977 in the Scottish Borders by Peter Holmes and Ron Ledingham, both formerly of Caithness Glass. The studio became renowned for its high-quality, hand-blown paperweights, often featuring abstract swirls, controlled bubbles, and limited edition runs. The studio closed in 2006, making their vintage pieces collectible examples of late 20th-century Scottish glassmaking. The secondary market for vintage Scottish art glass paperweights is stable but soft compared to its peak in the late 20th century.

Maker / Origin

Unattributed

Condition & Value

The paperweight is assumed to be in standard pre-owned condition. The seller notes that the plastic part of the box is broken, indicating the presence of original packaging, albeit damaged.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for vintage Scottish art glass paperweights is stable but soft compared to its peak in the late 20th century. Buyers are typically collectors of specific makers like Selkirk, Caithness, or Perthshire. Limited edition pieces from the 1980s move steadily on online marketplaces but rarely command high premiums unless they feature exceptionally complex millefiori or lampwork, with most standard abstract designs trading under $100.

Value Drivers

Maker attribution: Selkirk Glass is a recognized and collected name in Scottish art glass.

Limited edition status: Numbered pieces from the 1980s carry a slight premium over standard production runs.

Original packaging: Even with a broken plastic component, the presence of the original box appeals to collectors.

Concerns

Glass condition unverified: Any flea bites, surface scratches, or bruises on the glass would drop the value to the low end of the range.

Soft market: Abstract 1980s paperweights are relatively common, capping the upper limit of resale value.

Best Venue

List on a broad online marketplace like eBay or Etsy, where vintage art glass has a dedicated buyer base. Price at $75-$85 to allow room for offers, expecting a final sale around $50-$60. Be sure to photograph the engraved signature and edition number on the base clearly, as this is a primary value driver for collectors.

Upside Potential

If the piece is an exceptionally low edition number (e. g.