An illustrated history of the hudsons bay point blanket. With its proud stripes and distinctive black markings, the hudson s bay point blanket is a canadian icon. The earliest mention of hudsons bay point blankets is contained in the minutes of a meeting of the hudsons bay companys london committee on 16th december, 1779, but there is little doubt that. There are no holes or rips but there are some areas of minor discoloration. The iconic hudson s bay point blanket has a complicated history with indigenous people in canada. A hudsons bay point blanket is a type of wool blanket traded by the hudsons bay company hbc in british north america now canada and the united states during the 1700s and 1800s. For generations my family has been collecting hudson bay blankets, and while i knew some of the background i was surprised to find a book dedicated to the. The hudsons bay 4point wool blanket measures 72 w x 90 l and fits a standard double bed. According to the official company history, blankets had been. Jan 11, 20 very few blankets hold the iconic status that hudsons bay point blankets do. After finishing his first book for the hbc the blanket. If the blanket has a label the task is fairly easy.
Did you mean hudson baby blankets price and other details may vary based on size and color hudsons bay company 90 by 100inch queen size 6 point blanket, naturalmulti stripe. The company is named for the hudson bay and the blankets were typically. As a comingofage autobiography, the book tells the story of thompsons childhood in an evangelical christian family, his first love, and his early adulthood. The offwhite wool patterned with slender stripes of. The hudsons bay company blanket may appear to be a fairly plain household item, but its perhaps the most remarkable blanket in the world. Jan 01, 2002 for generations my family has been collecting hudson bay blankets, and while i knew some of the background i was surprised to find a book dedicated to the entire history of the blanket. The iconic hudsons bay point blanket has a complicated history with indigenous people in canada. Typically, the wool blankets were traded with native americans for pelts.
According to the official company history, the hudsons bay company hbc is the oldest company in north america, being founded in 1670. It may look like a common household item now but the hudsons bay point blanket is one of the most significant blankets in the world. There are a number of clues to dating the manufacture of various point blankets. Thats why we were so 1,000,326 torontonians cant be wrong. Hudsons bay company iconic multi stripe point blanket, king size 8 points free shipping by amazon only 5 left in stock order soon. Jan 26, 2012 the short vertical lines seen on the traditional capote shown below, made from a hudson bay blanket, are known as points and the number of lines denote the size of the blanket. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices. Photo via very few blankets hold the iconic status that hudsons bay point blankets do. It doesnt get any more canadian the this materials. We dive into the history of the hudsons bay company and unpack the very complicated story of the iconic striped blanket. Hudson s bay blankets have been imported from england since 1779 and were once used as a form of currency between trappers and native americans.
Did you mean hudson baby blankets price and other details may vary based on size and color hudson s bay company 90 by 100inch queen size 6 point blanket, naturalmulti stripe. The blankets were typically traded to first nations and native americans in exchange for beaver pelts. Yet the hudsons bay point blanket owes its existence to both, with the hudsons bay fur trading post in canada acting as a halfway point between the two cultures. The short vertical lines seen on the traditional capote shown below, made from a hudson bay blanket, are known as points and the number of lines denote the size of the blanket. Beaver pelts were exchanged for blankets through the hudsons bay company and its outposts throughout northern canada. Vtg plaid hudsons bay shawl buttonundone 5 out of 5 stars 12. And it was the striped hudsons bay company point blanket that helped pioneer the way. In 1890, because other companies including pendleton were making similar blankets, hudson bay began to label its blankets. Hudson s bay wool point blankets in the late 1700s, wool blankets were so important to comfort and survival that they were used as a form of currency in trading between trappers and native americans. I have identified and dated some twodozen styles of labels used by the hudsons bay company since 1890. The complicated history of the hudsons bay point blanket cbc. According to the official company history, blankets had been taken to hudson bay as trade goods as far back. Bean classic since 1925, this heritage striped wool blanket is practically windproof and water repellent to keep you warm and dry. Vtg 1960s hudsons bay company mohair and wool blanket.
To help keep our communities safe, all hudsons bay stores are currently closed. I am so glad i bought a copy its a beautifully written book with fantastic photos and historical tidbits. Aug 12, 2018 and it was the striped hudsons bay company point blanket that helped pioneer the way. The blankets were typically traded to first nations and native americans in. Aug 03, 2017 it may look like a common household item now but the hudsons bay point blanket is one of the most significant blankets in the world. The collectors guide to point blankets of the hudsons bay. The plains indians often wore the blankets instead of buffalo robes and used them to make coats. Hudson s bay company 90 by 100inch queen size 6 point blanket, naturalmulti stripe. Hudsons bay wool point blankets in the late 1700s, wool blankets were so important to comfort and survival that they were used as a form of currency in trading between trappers and native americans.
Why some folks feel weird about hudsons bay blankets. The earliest mention of hudson s bay point blankets is contained in the minutes of a meeting of the hudson s bay companys london committee on 16th december, 1779, but there is little doubt that. In 1779, hbc commissioned the textile mill of thomas empson of witney, oxfordshire, to produce pointed blankets. The collectors guide to point blankets canadian roadstories. Get the best deals on hudson bay blanket when you shop the largest online selection at.
Unfollow hudson bay blanket to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. One of the trading commodities most highly prized by the indians in exchange for their beaver pelts, was the original hudson s bay point blanket. Point blankets are a type of trade blanket and are most closely associated. Hi i am trying to determine the age and value of this blanket. For many, the hudsons bay company blanket with its familiar red, green, yellow and indigo stripes is as iconic as the maple leaf. Cinetel, bowen island 2003, 128 pp, colour illustrations, spiral bound for field use. Hudson bay blankets by woolrich from dann, complete collection. The collectors guide to point blankets of the hudsons bay company and other companies trading in north america. The label is white with orange lettering and reads hudson bay point bl. It will last a lifetime, according to leon leonwood bean himself, who always kept one on hand even in his car. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The complicated history of the hudsons bay point blanket. The history of the hudsons bay point blanket the cavender. A blanket so importantit even has a book written about it.
The hudsons bay company hbc had been trading blankets since the company incorporated in 1670. With its proud stripes and distinctive black markings, the hudsons bay point blanket is a canadian icon. These stripped blankets were created by the hudsons bay company in the northern part of north america in 1780. Technologies like nylon and rayon have yet to match the warmth and pragmatism of natural wool, tightly woven into a barrier against the cold that is known simply as the hudsons bay blanket or, more specifically, the hudsons bay point blanket. Yes, the title is a bit of a mouthful, but it has become a standard reference for antique. Why some folks feel weird about hudsons bay blankets cbc radio. The birth of an icon the most indispensable piece of clothing the weavers of witney more than just a blanket the blanket goes west finding new markets the worth of a blanket what the labels mean a blanket made to last. The classic design, originally commissioned in 1780, is a. I can honestly say that i have never expected to buy a book dedicated to blankets. And maybe more, we love the underlying belief that, even in the midst of the great canadian wilderness with its arduous cold and haunting vastness, the hudson s bay blanket will protect us. We are committed to the preservation, education, and promotion of hudsons bay companys history and the ongoing care and maintenance of the companys historical hbc corporate art, artifact, image, and reference collections. Why some folks feel weird about hudsons bay blankets cbc. Hudsons bay company 90 by 100inch queen size 6 point blanket, naturalmulti stripe.
Oct 05, 20 very few blankets hold the iconic status that hudsons bay point blankets do. Hudsons bay point blanket the iconic blanket has its. For generations my family has been collecting hudson bay blankets, and while i knew some of the background i was surprised to find a book dedicated to the entire history of the blanket. Blankets is an autobiographical graphic novel by craig thompson, published in 2003 by top shelf productions. In 1890, because other companies including pendleton were making. Beaver pelts were exchanged for blankets through the hudson s bay company and its outposts throughout northern canada. Hbc heritage is an internal department of hudsons bay company. Casper quilted weighted blanket, offering the modern energy, style and personalized service of the bay stores, in an enhanced, easytonavigate shopping experience. The earliest mention of hudsons bay point blankets is contained in the minutes of a meeting of the hudsons bay companys london committee on 16th december, 1779, but there is little doubt that they were an article of trade before this date. Nov 15, 2016 yet the hudsons bay point blanket owes its existence to both, with the hudsons bay fur trading post in canada acting as a halfway point between the two cultures.
The 18th century plains indians valued the preshrunk and felted cotswold wool blankets for their ability to retain heat and repel water, and used them for bedding and clothing. It is a 2 point cream color with the black, yellow, red and green stripes on both ends. May 06, 2010 among our beloved symbols of canadiana, like tim hortons, hockey and beavertails, the hudsons bay point blanket ranks highly. A brief history of canadas iconic hudsons bay blanket. See more ideas about hudson bay blanket, hudson bay and wool blanket. Hudsons bay blankets have been imported from england since 1779 and were once used as a form of currency between trappers and native americans. See more ideas about hudson bay blanket, hudson bay and bay point. Point blankets as coats point blankets have also been used as coats, either premade and sold by the hudsons bay company or recut into garments.
The collectors guide to point blankets of the hudsons bay company and other companies trading in north america cinetel, bowen island 2003, 128 pp, colour illustrations, spiral bound for field use. Originally, the hudson s bay blanket s lightweight warmth and insulation made it common barter for native american goods, like beaver. The hudson s bay 4point wool blanket measures 72 w x 90 l and fits a standard double bed. Determining age and value of hudson bay blanket the ebay. The broad variety of patterns and colours featured in this book will astonish even avid trade blanket collectors, who all too often believe that the popular multi stripe. From the research i have done, i believe it dates between 1950s to 1970s. Very few blankets hold the iconic status that hudsons bay point blankets do. The company is named for the hudson bay and the blankets were typically traded to first nations in exchange for beaver pelts. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. One of the trading commodities most highly prized by the indians in exchange for their beaver pelts, was the original hudsons bay point blanket. Hbc heritage our history the hbc point blanket history. I have identified and dated some twodozen styles of labels used by the hudson s bay company since 1890. In order to use all of the site functionality on the the bay website, you must have javascript enabled on your browser.
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