Afew years ago I ran across an amazing guy called Harold Tichenor. He’s a woodsy guy, makes films, likes to live off the grid. Smart. Unassuming. And he has a wicked fetish for Point blankets.
“Pioneer at Fort Garry 1861” – oil on canvas by Adam Sherriff Scott assisted by E.T. Adney, 1925. Detail from mural installed in the Winnipeg Hudson’s Bay Company store depicting aboriginals, Métis and settlers wearing blankets and engaged in trade.
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There are few objects more quintessentially Canadian. Point blankets are found in the “blanket box” at the foot of the bed in every cottage, cabin, fishing lodge, Bed & Breakfast and resort in the country. They have been the warmest, coziest and coolest bedding accessory in Canada for over 300 years.
“It’s even whispered, up Canada way, that ancient trappers, long since retired into town, can still hear the horned owl hoot, the woodpecker hammer its way to a grub, and the white-throat’s silver singing, when they pull a Point blanket closer around their ears on a winter’s night.” – from The Beaver magazine, June 1941.
The Blanket by Harold Tichenor
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After finishing his first book for the HBC – The Blanket: an Illustrated History of the Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket, Harold asked me to design his self-published, definitive work – The Collector’s Guide to Point Blankets of the Hudson’s Bay Company and Other Companies Trading in North America. Yes, the title is a bit of a mouthful, but it has become a standard reference for antique dealers, curators and textile lovers all over the world. Harold tells me the book is still selling steadily and you can order a copy directly from Harold’s site.
The Collector’s Guide To Point Blankets
by Harold Tichenor
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This isn’t Martha Stewart. It’s a thoughtful and colourful presentation of research into the dating and valuation of these blankets, and a discussion of their history, manufacture and care. There is an extensive label identification section, as well as a lively discussion of the cultural role that Point blankets played in both Canadian life, and that of the peoples of the First Nations of North America.
found harolds book a great source and have shown it to hundreds of people looking at my blankets. was most usefull to authenticate labels on many of their blankets they have shown me or i repaired for them or made a shirt or capot and my own blankets from a very first recorded known hbc cloth labels and the first cloth early of witney cloth label.this book is invaluable to me and great fun and interest and a argument setteler.i am at about 100 plus blankets know and have decided to sell ,all have been scored ,fairly and judementally so as to be impartial by my wife ,freind and self and are for sale if you know of someone interested just email me and i will respond
Glad you liked Harold’s book Thomas. It was great fun working with him to produce it. He’s quite a guy. Did you contact him to see if he is interested in any of your blankets
Where can i get a copy The Collectors Guide to Point Blankets
My wife has a few blankets , one that is a 4 point rose colored with a gold label and we were looking for some information on it
Regards Gord
Gord, check out Herold Tichenor’s point blanket website at http://www.pointblankets.com/
There is a link there for “Books and Ordering”.
– Glenn
Hi I have three point blankets and would like to know thier value and possibly sell them – they are from the forties I believe – can you point me in the right direction ?
I have a question about what looks to be a 5 point HBC blanket with the four coloured stripes. But the tag only says All wool Made in England. Can you please email me. 🙂
Thank you!
I have just aquired a 4 point HB blanket, but I am not finding any pictures that look like this one. It only has three stripes and the colors are, black, red, & green, there is no yellow. Also, at the top and the bottom of the blanket is a silk binding sewn on with a straight stitch. It has the small red label too. The binding may be something that was added by the latest owner. What do you know about this blanket only having 3 colors? Susan
Susan, please check out Mr. Tichenor’s website at http://www.pointblankets.com
OR
to contact Harold Tichenor… info@pointblankets.com
Good luck in your quest and thank you for commenting on my blog.
The blanket I have appears to be a double length.. There are two labels and two complete sets of coloured stripes. Were these blankets sold from a continuous roll?
Should the blanket be separated to make two useable blankets or does that diminish the value?
Donna, please check Harold’s site http://www.pointblankets.com/ or his facebook at https://www.facebook.com/harold.tichenor …
Thanks Glenn. I will do that!
Do not separate them! They were indeed made on rolls, and used to be sold as doubles – if a customer wanted them separated, the clerk would actually RIP them apart! Double length blankets are worth a LOT more than singles!
Super. Thanks for the tip !
Hi! I have a blanket with NO points! It has the green, red, yellow and black larger stripes, but no tag (it’s vintage and may have fallen off) and no point lines! It’s clearly made of wool and has a stitching on the edges of the top and bottom edge. Is this Hudson’s Bay or another manufacturer? Would love to know its history. Thanks!
Me too! It also has a white stitching on the top and bottom edge. No points, and no label. It has squared corners and not round. I found it in West Palm Beach Florida where many Canadians go. So I’m hopeful it’s a Hudson Bay because of the location. i bought one of the books and I hope I can research to figure out what I have.
Hi!! I have a 3 1/2 point red and black Hudson Bay Blanket that is 240″ x 66″. I know it is uncut, and has two tags, but I have never seen one anywhere that is this long. It has a couple of small stains, and a couple of small moth holes, but nothing big. I don’t know how to find an approximate worth, or even what to try to sell it for. Any general advice?? Thank you so much for any information!!
Kathy,
What an interesting blanket!
I believe that this would be 3 uncut blankets –
I have a few 3.5 pt blankets that are 67″ x 81″ – so even though you only have two tags, it measures more the the length of 3.
Did you know that the reason blankets were shipped “uncut” from England was to reduce the import tax was charged per blanket?
Am I correct in thinking that above the tags are 4 point lines with the top one being narrorower?
(indicating a 3.5 pt blanket)
And I would guess that there 6 black stripes across the width of the blanket?
– there are normally only 2 per blanket.
I’m guessing the labels are red on white?
and that it’s about 16lbs?
As for value – always subjective – $600 to $1000 as quick guess (can the stains be cleaned?)
In the last year I paid $300 for a double blanket (with 3″ hold) from the 1920’s, and $700 for a beautiful 1950s that weighs over 12lbs in excellent condition.
For you to maximize your value you should indicate in your sales listing
1. the era it was made – which can be determined by the fabulous book mentioned above – or by me if you describe the label (colour, size and what is says)
2. the weight of the blanket (helps to determine how much use and wool loss it’s had)
3. list it with for at least 1 week
4. make the end time for your listing to be on a Sunday night
Pat
an avid collector from Toronto
Hi,
I received two four point blankets from my husband’s mother (who was born in 1950). She believes they were from her great grandfather. There is label that reads: Made in England. Indian Point Blankets. Guaranteed All Wool. No manufacturer is noted.
Just looking for some information on their history.
Thanks so much!
I have a blanket with a gold on satin tag it is in a cedar box that appears to be the original box. its never been removed from the box, I unfolded it enough to identify it it is a beautiful blanket I would like to know when it was made and if it has value