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Pirelli Glass Ltd.
Lampwork Guinness Animals
Pirelli Glass Ltd. is best known for their involvement with Vasart Glass Ltd and Strathearn Glass as well as for these sets of Guinness animals. Made by Pirelli in September 1957 in boxed sets of 5. Made in two sizes: 38mm 1½" & 64mm 2½". The Guinness animals are the most sought after of the Pirelli menagerie and achieve very high prices, typically greater than €100 each with the Ostrich being the rarest.
Sizes:
38mm 1½" long
64mm 2½" long
Body is dark green. An example sold on eBay in 2005 for £125.00.
Sizes:
38mm 1½"
64mm 2½"
An example sold on eBay in 2005 for £165.00.
Sizes:
38mm 1½"
64mm 2½"
Guinness bottle on pouch. An example sold on eBay in 2005 for £125.00.
Sizes:
38mm 1½"
64mm 2½"
An example sold on eBay in 2005 for £160.00.
Sizes:
38mm 1½"
64mm 2½"
Rarest? He has swallowed a whole glass, the original advertising used the slogan “My Goodness, My Guiness!” can be seen below.
Acknowledgements & Copyright owners
- Original research by Frank Andrews, Angela Bowey & Guinness Collectors Club.
- Ostrich (left foot added to missing original). Courtesy of Angela Bowey. See her article at the Glass Encyclopaedia on line.
- Guinness Tortoise 2/Seal1/Kangaroo1/Toucan1 images courtesy and copyright 2004 Guinness Collectors Club.
- All other images copyright 2004 Frank Andrews