More St. Louis Paperweight Details 2
| The St. Louis weights of the millefiori and mushroom types were frequently signed "S. L.," and any weight bearing a signature or date is valuable. The name "St. Louis," it should be noted, was never spelled out in full. The date found most frequently is 1848, although 1847 is also known. In the mushroom type dated "S. L. 1848," the "S. L." is black, the "1" black, the "8" red, the "4" black, and the "8" red. These characters appear on a white surface encased in a black cane forming one of the outer parts of the design and extending to the center of the base .
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| The same composition is found in another type, as shown on the left, except that the date is arranged among the canes appearing nearer the center. When "S. L." occurs without a date, the letters are shaded black against a cane with a white surface.
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St. Louis colors are softer than those of the Clichy and Baccarat weights. The wheel formation is characteristic of the St. Louis canes, and these wheels sometimes have a fine thread running from the outside rim. The dancing figures found in the canes of the weights are identifying features. The same is not true, however, of the monkey, camel or other animals, for these figures were used also in weights from other sources. The deep-well set-ups are individual St.Louis features.
