Today, Hudson’s Bay Point Blankets continue to be produced and sold in Multistripe, Millennium (four stripes in shades of brown introduced in 2000), White with black bar, Scarlet with black bar, Green with black bar and Grey with black bar.
What do the points mean on a Hudson Bay blanket?
The term “point,” in this case, originates from the French word empointer, which means “to make threaded stitches on cloth.” The points were simply a series of thin black lines on one of the corners of the blanket, which were used to identify the size of the blanket.
What size is a 4 point Hudson Bay blanket?
The Hudson’s Bay 4-Point Wool Blanket measures72 W x 90 L and fits a standard double bed. 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.
Are Hudson Bay blankets offensive?
Over time, and possibly unfairly, HBC blankets have become associated with the epidemics that decimated First Nations populations. In a notorious series of letters from the 1763 Pontiac Uprising in Fort Pitt, Penn., Gen. Jeffrey Amherst hinted at using blankets infected with smallpox as a means of biological warfare.
How old is my Hudson Bay blanket?
In 1890, because other companies (including Pendleton) were making similar blankets, Hudson Bay began to label its blankets. The labels are how most collectors date the age of the blanket. If you ever spy an unlabeled, round corner blanket, scoop it up. It could date before 1890.
Who makes Hudson Bay blankets?
The blankets have always been made in England; today they are made by John Atkinson, a sub brand of A.W. Hainsworth & Sons Ltd. Wools from Britain and New Zealand are used in the manufacture of blankets.
What are Hudson Bay points worth?
You can redeem points in increments as low as 1000 points, which has a $5 cash value.
Can Hudson Bay blankets be washed?
Yes, you can wash your blanket. Hudson’s Bay Point Blankets are made of 100% wool and are pre-shrunk as part of the manufacturing process, so you can hand wash your blanket in a gentle detergent like Zero or Woollite.
What is the warmest blanket?
Thicker blankets, such as wool blankets, cotton fleece blankets, and cashmere blankets, are the warmest. The spaces between the fibers in a fuzzy or napped blanket trap warm air, keeping you warmer. This same principle explains why down is such an excellent insulator.
What size is a 3 point Hudson Bay blanket?
Hudson’s Bay Unseparated 3 1/2 Point Pure Wool Blanket 169″x68″
How big is a 6 point Hudson Bay blanket?
The Hudson’s Bay 6-Point Wool Blanket measures 90 W x 100 L and fits a standard queen bed. 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.
How much are Pendleton blankets?
Pendleton throw blankets typically range from $100 to $230.
What disease was on the blankets?
North American colonists’ warfare against Native Americans often was horrifyingly brutal. But one method they appear to have used—perhaps just once—shocks even more than all the bloody slaughter: The gifting of blankets and linens contaminated with smallpox.
Why do natives given blankets?
Native Americans wore blankets as robes to keep warm, and they were prized status symbols in many communities.
Who put smallpox on blankets?
The British give smallpox-contaminated blankets to Shawnee and Lenape (Delaware) communities—an action sanctioned by the British officers Sir Jeffery Amherst and his replacement, General Thomas Gage.
What is the history of the Hudson Bay blanket?
These blankets first appeared in Canadian trading posts in the 1700s, and aside from bedding, they also served as a form of currency, and were fashioned into robes. But they took on a darker history, with rumours swirling that they were used to spread smallpox among First Nations in the 1700s and 1800s.
