In the fall of 2002, at the time of the publication of the blanket an illustrated history of the hudson s bay point blanket, by harold tichenor, we asked hbc associates for their hbc blanket stories. Hudsons bay companyquantum press, toronto 2002, 80pp colour illustrations, hardbound. Hudson bay 4 point blanket, natural with multi stripes. The collectors guide to point blankets canadian roadstories. An illustrated history of the hudsons bay point blanket, written by noted hudsons bay point blanket collector harold tichenor. 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. Id love a hudson bay blanket my great grandfather was a fur trader for the hudson bay company, travelling as far as south america. Since 2000 i have been a consultant to the hudsons bay company building a collection of examples of all of their blankets and conducting seminars at their various stores and in museums examining. First commissioned by hudsons bay company hbc in 1800, the multistripe design lives on as a testament to our shared canadian heritage. A 4 point required 4 pelts where as an 8 point required 8 pelts. The iconic hudson s bay point blanket has a complicated history with indigenous people in canada. A friend gave me a vintage hudson s bay point blanket that is a bit moth eaten a friend gave me a vintage hudson s bay point blanket that is a bit moth eaten in sections, so i decided to cut it up and make a capote hooded coat.
The blanket was published in 2002 and is for sale at selected. Hudson bay blankets are also known as a hudson bay point blankets and are highly collectible 100 percent pure wool blankets, originally made by the the hudson bay company in north america in the 18th and 19th centuries. By the end of the 1800s these posts were converting to retail shops. The independent record, helena, montana, august 2, 1925. An illustrated history of the hudson s bay blanket, by 1700, blankets.
For well over two centuries, the hudsons bay point blanket has been an iconic product in canada and around the world. The history of the hudsons bay point blanket hudson bay. Easeland soft king size blanket winter warm microplush lightweight thermal fleece blankets for. And it was the striped hudsons bay company point blanket that helped. Many people are led to believe that the points stood for the number of beaver pelts that were required to obtain the blanket. Curriculum services canada learn more about the hbc point blanket from this educational youtube video. The native peoples valued them for several reasons they were warm, durable, lightweight and very useful as clothing. These red embroidered trademark labels were the very first to be sewn onto hudson bay point blankets starting around 1890. The history of the hudsons bay point blanket the cavender. Point blankets are a type of trade blanket and are most closely associated.
The label is white with orange lettering and reads hudson bay point bl. According to point blanket collector and historical expert harold lee tichenor, author of the blanket. It is a 2 point cream color with the black, yellow, red and green stripes on both ends. The hudson bay blanket is more than a wonderful soft warm beautiful elegant blanket, it is a piece of history reminding us of the great northern frontier, the mounties, the reminder of the struggles of the pioneer spirit. With a foreward written by the canadianborn editor of vanity fair, graydon carter, and text by the editorinchief of canadas history magazine, mark reid, the book encompasses elements of both fashion and history. Get free shipping and the best prices on home goods. To read about the history of the point blanket coat read hudsons bay point. Lots more to know here but this is an entertaining start.
Good introduction to the history of the hudson s bay company and the blanket. According to the official company history, blankets had been taken to hudson bay. And it was the striped hudsons bay company point blanket that helped pioneer the way. Point blankets as coats point blankets have also been used as coats, either premade and sold by the hudson s bay company or recut into garments. The companys point blanket has been an iconic product for hudsons bay. An illustrated history of the hudsons bay point blanket.
I can honestly say that i have never expected to buy a book dedicated to blankets, but the whole history of the hbc is so absolutely compelling that i was drawn towards it. An illustrated history of the hudson s bay point blanket 9781895892208 by tichenor, harold and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Find great deals on ebay for hudsons bay blanket and hudsons bay point blanket. One of the trading commodities most highly prized by the indians in exchange for their beaver pelts, was the original hudsons bay point blanket. It was time to look further into the iconic status of the hudsons bay point blanket. The blanket was wrapped around the body and worn like a robe. A foundation, hudsons bay company history foundation funded through the tax savings resulting from the donation, was established to support the operations of the hbc archive as a division of the archives of manitoba, along with other activities and programs. The hudsons bay company collaborates with worldfamous. The blankets were typically traded to first nations and native americans in. Point blankets were most often used by native american tribes as a piece of clothing. These blankets first appeared in canadian trading posts in the 1700s, and aside from bedding, they. New listing vintage hudson bay wool blanket 4 point cranberry red 72 x 88 england.
Metis culture the hudsons bay point blanket kikino metis. Hudson bay company book have it as my coffee table book. For more information, visit the hbc point blanket page. If you read the last sentence in the description it says there may be gold embroidered. Apr 11, 2020 the hudson s bay point blanket is a beautiful nod to the past, reflecting the rich history of early colonial north america and the trading system by which colonists and the british acquired beaver pelts. Hudson bay 8 point blanket natural with multi stripes. This blanket combines the simplicity of frontier life with the. The plains indians often wore the blankets instead of buffalo robes and used them to make coats. For over fifteen years i have been researching the history of these blankets and recently published two books on the.
This lavishly illustrated book tells the remarkable story of the blanket that has covered centuries. Hbc heritage our history the hbc point blanket faqs. When i awoke this morning, i knew that i wouldnt be out of bed for long. I love the hudson s bay 4 point blankets with their strong colors like bright bands against snow. According to the official company history, the hudsons bay company hbc is the oldest company in north america, being founded in 1670. 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.
For over fifteen years i have been researching the history of these blankets and recently published two books on the subject. The blankets currently come in 4 point, 6 point, and 8 point. The blankets continue to be sold by canadas hudsons bay stores and have come to hold iconic status in canada. The hudson s bay point blanket is a beautiful nod to the past, reflecting the rich history of early colonial north america and the trading system by which colonists and the british acquired beaver pelts. Harold lee tichenor, point blanket collector and consultant to hudsons bay company, has written two books on point blankets and their. From the research i have done, i believe it dates between 1950s to 1970s. We are committed to the preservation, education, and promotion of hudson s bay company s history and the ongoing care and maintenance of the companys historical hbc corporate art, artifact, image, and reference collections. Hi i am trying to determine the age and value of this blanket. According to the official company history, blankets had been taken to hudson bay as trade goods as far back. After finishing his first book for the hbc the blanket.
Hbc heritage our history the hbc point blanket history. Very few blankets hold the iconic status that hudson s bay point blankets do. It is steeped in both history and prestige points such as these denoted the value of the blanket. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. By the 19th century there was a string of hudsons bay company posts throughout canada. The collectors guide to point blankets of the hudsons bay company and other companies trading in north america. An illustrated history of the hudsons bay point blanket tichenor, harold published by quantum book produced for hudsons bay company, toronto 2002. The hudsons bay company originated in 1670 as fur trading posts, where furs were traded for manufactured goods. Hudsons bay point blanket the canadian encyclopedia. Aug 12, 2018 and it was the striped hudsons bay company point blanket that helped pioneer the way. Throughout the 18th century, wool blankets were among the most popular trade items. An illustrated history of the hudson s bay point blanket, written by noted hbc point blanket collector harold tichenor. Search for library items search for lists search for.
Hudsons bay point blanket the iconic blanket has its. Hudsons bay company 108 by 100inch king size 8 point blanket, multi striped. The secret life of canada dives into the history of the hudsons bay company and unpacks the very complicated story of their iconic striped blanket. In 1779, hbc commissioned the textile mill of thomas empson of witney, oxfordshire, to produce pointed blankets. History and description of famous hudson s bay point wool blankets, that played an important role in the indian trade exchange. Mar 19, 2018 it was time to look further into the iconic status of the hudsons bay point blanket. Hudsons bay point blankets are made of 100% wool and are preshrunk as part of the manufacturing process, so you can hand wash your blanket in a gentle detergent like zero or woollite. Absolutely fascinating history of the hudsons bay companys point blanket. Dec 18, 2018 the point blanket site researcher and consultant harold tichenor provides valuable information about the history of the point blanket. With its proud stripes and distinctive black markings. According to hbc heritage, the arm of hudson s bay dedicated to preserving and promoting the companys history, wool blankets were a commonly traded good between british north america present day canada and the united states in the 17th and 18th century.
As well it details of the original size of the blankets depending on their number of points, years of manufacture and the manufacturing source mills. For more information, visit the hudsons bay point blanket page. In the united states they can be found at luxury department store and hudsons bay sister chain l. Hudsons bay marks anniversary with iconic blankets home. During the colonization of the north american continent by europeans, exchange of various goods occurred ever since first contact with the natives. For over two centuries, the hudsons bay point blanket has been an iconic. The company is named for the hudson bay and the blankets were typically traded to first nations in exchange for beaver pelts. And before this they sometimes used paper labels attached onto a corner with jute. 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. Textile museum of canada this short video provides more information about the hudsons bay point blanket. I can honestly say that i have never expected to buy a book dedicated to blankets. Welcome to the site exclusively dedicated to point blankets. Blankets for sale pioneer at fort garry 1861, oil on canvas by adam sherriff scott assisted by e.
Our history the hbc point blanket hudsons bay company. The misconception persists that originally the points were an indication of the blanket price in beaver pelts or even its weight. The broad variety of patterns and colours featured in this book will astonish even avid. The origin of the hudson bay company point blanket point blankets are wool blankets marked on one edge with black or indigo stripes. An illustrated history of the hudson s bay blanket, by 1700, blankets represented more than. The complicated history of the hudsons bay point blanket. 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. Point blankets are a type of trade blanket and are most closely associated with the hudson s bay company who have been marketing them into north america since 1779. The retailer is issuing a series of limitededition blankets from its point blanket collection. When talking about hudson bay blankets the point system is often mentioned. There is a guide to grading the condition of point blankets and a price guide that takes into account manufacturers, condition and point size so that the reader will know the proper value to pay for old point blankets. A blanket so importantit even has a book written about it.
A hudsons bay point blanket is a type of wool blanket traded by the hudsons bay company. Hudsons bay point blanket, illustrated history ebay. While the hudson s bay company shops appear mainly in flagship stores and its banff, alberta location, products from the hudson s bay company collection not including limited edition items are also available at other locations, most notably the point blanket. A brief history of canadas iconic hudsons bay blanket mental floss. Today hudson s bay blankets are commonly found in point sizes of 3. Introduced to the north american wilderness in 1779. Hudsons bay company has commissioned these fine englishmade woolen blankets since 1780, many becoming heirlooms that are passed on from one generation to the next. Hudson bay 6 point blanket, natural with multi stripes. Woven in england of the finest long staple australian wools, these blankets are of the same quality as those traded here over 200 years ago. Hudson s bay company 90 by 100inch queen size 6 point blanket, scarletblack stripe. These hudson s bay point blankets will last not just a lifetime but generations. The iconic hudson s bay point blanket ive had mine for more than 30 years.
May 09, 2017 according to point blanket collector and historical expert harold lee tichenor, author of the blanket. The metis peoples fashioned the blanket into a wrap coat with hood and fringing called a capote. Thickness and quality are the same blanket to blanket, and a larger blanket will naturally weigh more. Typically, the wool blankets were traded with native americans for pelts. Jan 11, 20 photo via very few blankets hold the iconic status that hudson s bay point blankets do. Hbc stripes iconic multi stripe point blanket, offering the modern energy, style and personalized service of the bay stores, in an enhanced, easytonavigate shopping experience. A hudsons bay point blanket is a type of wool blanket traded by the hudsons bay company in british north america and the united states during the 1700s and 1800s. Hudson bay blankets by woolrich from dann, complete collection. These stripped blankets were created by the hudson s bay company in the northern part of north america in 1780.
Hbc heritage is an internal department of hudsons bay company. Hudson bay company book hudson bay blanket, hudson bay, bay. There are no holes or rips but there are some areas of minor discoloration. See what customers said about these highly rated items.
The american indians offered both tanned and untanned leather and fur of all kinds, but also meat, fish, pemmican, or even moccasins and other handmade products. Such blankets were made by the british and early north american citizens and traded at trading posts to the native americans in exchange for furs. Buy a point blanket direct from the bay and you may get a copy for free. This little book offers a concise history of the hudson bay blanket, its importance in developing trade with native tribes in the farflung north american interior, and its enduring legends as an heirloom quality item.
Throughout the 18th century, wool blankets were among the most popular trade items in the canadian fur trade, accounting for more than 60% of all goods exchanged by. The collectors guide to point blankets of the hudson s bay company and other companies trading in north america. A brief history of canadas iconic hudsons bay blanket. Cinetel, bowen island 2003, 128 pp, colour illustrations, spiral bound for field use. The earliest mention of hudson s bay point blankets is contained in the minutes of a meeting of the hudson s bay company s london committee on 16th december, 1779, but there is little doubt that. If you are interested in anything to with the fur trade then i heartily recommend it. Find great deals on ebay for point blanket and hudson bay blanket. Jul 15, 2010 the hudsons bay company originated in 1670 as fur trading posts, where furs were traded for manufactured goods. Traders would exchange the blankets for beaver pelts and other goods. With its proud stripes and distinctive black markings, the hudsons bay point blanket is a canadian icon. Murray, is responsible for the book s introduction. In 1890, hbc began adding labels to their blankets because point blankets of similar. The hudsons bay company hbc had been trading blankets since the company incorporated in 1670. Why some folks feel weird about hudsons bay blankets cbc radio.
95 28 1037 231 1644 1453 619 870 1341 1095 1251 1369 185 1403 326 685 792 500 491 1020 367 895 700 1222 1038 979 982 135 1285 1329 18 1042 958 1173 457 1160