🦋 (2) Hudson Bay 100% Wool 4 Pt. Blankets Beet/Raspberry

These are the best wool blankets in the world. Heavy warm wool. True survivors. Mint ! authentic, vintage; I could not find a single moth hole. Rare color is vibrant and stalwart. They are slightly different sizes (68” wide x 90” long / 70” wide x 88 long).
________________
Marked with 4 bars.
Wikipedia says:
Points are short black lines woven into the selvage of the blanket along the edge just above the bottom set of stripes. About four inches in length (except in the case of half points, which are two inches), they indicate the finished overall size (area) of a blanket and allow a blanket's size to be easily determined even when folded. The point system was invented by French weavers in the mid-1700s since then, as now, blankets were shrunk as part of the manufacturing process. The word point derives from the French empointer, meaning "to make threaded stitches on cloth."

Over the centuries the sizes of blankets have shifted, particularly during the 1900s as beds became larger. Blankets of 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4 point were most common during the fur trade era. Today Hudson's Bay blankets are commonly found in point sizes of 3.5 (twin bed), 4 (double), 6 (queen) and 8 (king).[1]

The misconception persists that originally the points were an indication of the blanket price in beaver pelts or even its weight. Thickness and quality are the same blanket to blanket, and a larger blanket will naturally weigh more.

Collection. The “point” system was invented by French weavers in the mid-18th century as a means of indicating the finished overall size (area) of a blanket. The word point derives from the French empointer, meaning “to make threaded stitches on cloth.”

Each blanket was graded using a point system. Points were identified by the indigo lines woven into the side of each blanket. A full point measured 4–5.5 inches (10–14 centimetres); a half point measured half that length. The standard measurements for a pair of 1-point blankets was: 2 feet, 8 inches (81 centimetres) wide by 8 feet (2.4 metres) in length; with a weight of 3 pounds, 1 ounce (1.4 kilograms) each. Points ranged from 1 to 6, increasing by halves depending upon the size and weight of the blanket.

The number of points on a blanket represents the overall finished size of the blanket, not its value in terms of beaver pelts as is sometimes believed.

Excellent Pre-Owned Condition

18%

Diana Clarke (TEXTS PREFERRED) | (551) 206-3187 | auctionhousegalleriesusa@gmail.com

Pickup Details

Private Residence

Danbury, CT 06810

When to Pickup

By Appointment Only

Ask a Question

Report Item