The 2005 PCA Convention
Appleton, Wisconsin

 

One of the benefits of becoming a member of the Paperweight Collectors Association is that you can attend the biennial PCA Convention, which is a festive gathering of paperweight collectors, paperweight makers, and paperweight dealers. In May 2005 the convention was held in Appleton Wisconsin. Some of the presentations that were delivered were accompanied by colored handouts that provided summations of the presentations and illustrations of some of the paperweights that were discussed in the presentation. We are making the handouts of some of those presentations here.

  • Welcome (PDF) — This presentation was used at the opening session of the convention and provided some information about the attendees and the PCA Board of Directors.

  • Agenda (PDF) — This presentation was used at the opening session of the convention and described the events and activities that would take place during the convention.

  • JerryGard (PDF) — This keynote presentation was made by Jerry Gard, a well known and respected collector and longtime member of the PCA. Jerry talked about 'What Makes A Paperweight Special' and why collectors should follow their tastes and hearts to assemble their collections.

  • WmGaskillGaryMcClanahan (PDF) — This presentation saw the return of the William and Gary team discussing "Collections Within a Collection" - serious and sometime humorous look at how collections can grow and specialize in areas of interest to the individual collector.

  • WilliamPrice (PDF) — Pittsburgh area collector William Price provided an overview of the American weights made by William H. Maxwell and 'Eureka' Paperweights. We also learned when Pittsburgh was spelled Pittsburg.

  • MarshallDeitsch (PDF) — This presentation, delivered by Marshall Deitsch, discussed the somewhat rare paperweight type called Pinchbecks. The nature of these weights make photography very difficult - the pictures of the Pinchbeck weights in this presentation are some of the best around.

  • JohnHawley (PDF) — As part of a 'hands on' workshop at the convention, John Hawley gave this presentation on the 'Density Testing of Glass Paperweights'. Density testing is a technology used to help identify possible sources of paperweights when the manufacturer is unknown. Many of the articles in the PCA Bulletin now include density measurements as additional, quantitative information for our collectors.

  • 2005ConventionIDClinicPT1 (PDF) — This presentation displays the first half (25 objects) of the traditional, Saturday morning ID clinic where objects brought in by the attendees are presented to a select panel for identification.

  • 2005ConventionIDClinicPT2 (PDF) — This presentation displays the second half (28 objects) of the traditional, Saturday morning ID clinic where objects brought in by the attendees are presented to a select panel for identification.

Several PCA Artist/Makers participated in a new feature of the 2005 convention: Lunch with the Artists. Some presentations and examples of their work are provided in the following .pdf files. Note that these images are the intellectual property of the artists/makers and cannot be used for commercial purposes without their written consent.

  • AyotteGlassStudio (PDF) — As part of the Lunch with the Artists series, Rick and Melissa Ayotte shared some examples of their work and the artistic vision. This presentation provides a glimpse at what is new at the Ayotte Glass Studio.

  • BobBanford (PDF) — As part of the Lunch with the Artists series, Bob shared some examples of his work and the artistic vision. This presentation provides insight into the contribution that the Banfords have made to the paperweight community.

  • PeterMcDougall (PDF) — As part of the Lunch with the Artists series, Peter gave a brief history of his long and colorful involvement with glass and paperweight making in Scotland.