Editing Hudson's Bay point blanket

{{Short description|Wool blanket traded by Hudson's Bay Company}}
[[File:Canadian warmth.jpg|thumb|upright|The classic design featuring green stripe, red stripe, yellow stripe and indigo stripe on a white background]]

A '''Hudson's Bay point blanket''' is a type of [[wool]] [[blanket]] traded by the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] (HBC) in [[British North America]], now Canada and the United States, from 1779 to present.<ref name="TCE">[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/hudson-s-bay-point-blanket The Canadian Encyclopedia: Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket]</ref> The blankets were typically traded to [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] in exchange for [[American Beaver|beaver]] pelts as an important part of the [[North American fur trade]]. The blankets continue to be sold by Canada's [[Hudson's Bay (department store)|Hudson's Bay]] department stores and have come to hold iconic status in the country.<ref name="HBC1">[https://www.thebay.com/product/hbc-stripes-iconic-multistripe-point-blanket-0600001019439.html?dwvar_0600001019439_color= HBC Stripes: Iconic Multistripe Point Blanket]</ref>

== History ==
[[File:NativeAmericanLockedHair.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Poundmaker]] carrying a Hudson's Bay point blanket]]
In the [[North American fur trade]], by 1700, wool blankets accounted for more than 60 per cent of traded goods.<ref name="hbc"/> French fur trader Germain Maugenest is thought to have advised the HBC to introduce point blankets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Germain Maugenest|url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/maugenest_germain_4E.html|website=Dictionary of Canadian Biography|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

Originally point blankets had a single stripe across each end, usually in blue or red. In the mid-19th century, blankets began to be produced with a green stripe, red stripe, yellow stripe and indigo stripe on a white background; the four stripe colours were popular and easily produced using good [[Glossary of dyeing terms#C|colourfast dye]]s at that time.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news|last=Greenbaum|first=Hilary|title=Who Made That Hudson's Bay Blanket?|url=http://6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/who-made-that-hudsons-bay-blanket/|access-date=September 29, 2011|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 19, 2011}}</ref> In 1798, a mill owner received a purchase order for "30 pair[s] of 3 points to be striped with four colors (red, blue, green, yellow) according to your judgement."<ref name=nyt/> to be manufactured in [[Witney]], Oxfordshire, a town famous for its woollen [[blanket]]s since the Middle Ages.<ref>{{cite web|author=Clare Sumner |url=http://www.witneyblanketstory.org.uk/WBP.asp?navigationPage=Brief |title=history Witney Blanket Story – A brief history of the wool trade in the Witney area |publisher=Witneyblanketstory.org.uk |access-date=13 November 2011}}</ref>

[[Image:capote.jpg|thumb|Traditional [[capote (garment)|capote]] made with a Hudson's Bay point blanket]]
From the early days of the fur trade, wool blankets were made into hooded coats called [[Capote (garment)|capotes]] by both natives and [[French Canadian]] [[voyageur]]s, which were well-suited to Canada's cold winters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nativecanadian.ca/Canadiana/HBCPoint100.htm |title=the native canadian |publisher=Nativecanadian.ca |access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref><ref name="HBC">[https://www.hbcheritage.ca/things/fashion-pop/hudsons-bay-point-blanket-coat HBC Heritage: Hudson's Bay Point Blanket Coat]</ref>

== Point system ==
Points are short black lines woven into the [[selvage]] of the blanket along the edge just above the bottom set of stripes. About {{convert|4|in|cm}} in length (except in the case of half points, which are {{cvt|2|in|cm|disp=sqbr}}), they indicate the finished overall size (area) of a blanket and allow easy determination of the size of a blanket{{snd}} even when folded. French weavers invented the point system in the mid-1700s since then, as now, blankets were shrunk as part of the manufacturing process. The word ''point'' derives from the French {{lang|fr|empointer}}, meaning "to make threaded stitches on cloth".

Over the centuries the sizes of blankets have shifted, particularly during the twentieth century as beds became larger. Blankets of 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4 point were most common during the fur-trade era. Today, Hudson's Bay blankets are commonly found in point sizes of 3.5 ([[twin bed]]), 4 ([[Double bed|double]]), 6 ([[Queen bed|queen]]) and 8 ([[King bed|king]]).<ref name="hbc"/>

The misconception persists that originally the points were an indication of a blanket's price in beaver pelts or even its weight. The number of pelts required to buy a blanket ranged widely by time and location, regardless of its size. Thickness and quality are the same blanket to blanket, and a larger blanket will naturally weigh more.<ref name="hbc"/>

==Mackinaw jacket==
{{main|Mackinaw jacket}}
[[File:HBC Mackinaw Jacket.png|thumb|right|150px|1936 [[Hudson's Bay Company|HBC]] Catalogue]]
In 1811, at [[St._Joseph_Island_(Ontario)#British_North_America_and_Fort_St._Joseph|Fort St. Joseph]] there was a shortage of [[greatcoat]]s for the King's soldiers.<ref name="WooleySketches">Wooley, H. J. L. (1911). The ''Sword of Old St. Joe''. Chp V, pg 17-21.</ref><ref name="HBC">[https://www.hbcheritage.ca/things/fashion-pop/hudsons-bay-point-blanket-coat HBC Heritage: Hudson's Bay Point Blanket Coat]</ref> The date was November 20, 1811, and [[British Army]] Captain [[Charles Roberts (soldier, died 1816)|Charles Roberts]], wrote a letter to Captain Evans, [[Adjutant General]] in [[Quebec]], making a requisition, written as follows:

{{quote|“All hopes having now ceased of the arrival of the schooner ''[[HMS General Hunter|Hunter]]'' or any other vessel from [[Amherstburg]] with the clothing of the detachment, I am this day obtaining, upon my requisition to the storekeeper of the [[British Indian Department|Indian Department]], a consignment of heavy blankets, for the purpose of making them great coats, a measure the severity of the climate strongly demands and one, I trust, the commander of the forces will not disapprove of when he is informed that not a remnant remains of the coats served out to them in the year 1807 and that they have received none since.”{{snd}} ''Captain Charles Roberts''<ref name="PC">[https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/stjoseph/info/bulletin/02 Parks Canada: The mackinaw coat{{snd}} a Canadian invention]</ref>}}

Roberts requisitioned HBC 3.5-point blankets from the British Indian Department to manufacture greatcoats for his troops.<ref name="WooleySketches" /><ref name="HBC" />  [[John Askin Jr.]], a [[Métis]] and keeper of the King's stores at the fort, hired local women to design and manufacture forty woollen greatcoats.<ref name="WooleySketches" /><ref name="HBC" />  Everyone was in agreement that the newly tailored greatcoats were of better quality than the British Army standard-issue greatcoats and helped to increase the morale of the King's soldiers.<ref name="WooleySketches" /><ref name="HBC" />
  
At the beginning of the [[War of 1812]], Roberts and his men occupied [[Fort Michilimackinac]] located at the present-day [[Mackinaw City, Michigan]].<ref name="WooleySketches" /><ref name="HBC" />  Roberts ordered a new supply of Hudson's Bay point blankets for the upcoming winter to manufacture more greatcoats.  This time Roberts had enlisted the aid of professional [[tailor]]s and [[seamstress]]es to produce the greatcoats.<ref name="WooleySketches" />

A [[Courier|despatch]] runner advised that the long length of the greatcoat was impractical for the deep snow drifts when travelling between Mackinaw and [[Montreal]] and requested it be replaced by the shorter [[double-breasted]] style, which became known as the [[Mackinaw jacket]].<ref name="WooleySketches" /><ref name="TTS">{{cite book | title = Tracks that speak | publisher = Houghton Mifflin Harcourt | url = https://archive.org/details/tracksthatspeakl00char| url-access = registration | page = [https://archive.org/details/tracksthatspeakl00char/page/25 25-26] |isbn = 0618065105|last1 = Cutler|first1 = Charles L.|year = 2002}}</ref>  At first, the Mackinaw jacket was produced in blue and was later replaced by the more popular red and black [[tartan]] pattern.<ref name="WooleySketches" />  The new design of the Mackinaw jacket was so beneficial for travelling through woods and trails that orders were received from people located from [[Fort William Historical Park|Fort William]] to [[Penetanguishene]].<ref name="WooleySketches" />

More than 100 years into the future, when the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] began to commercially sell point blanket coats, the Mackinaw jacket remained popular with their customers.<ref name="WooleySketches" /><ref name="HBC" /><ref name="TTS" />

== Current use ==
Versions of the blanket are available at [[Hudson's Bay (department store)|Hudson's Bay]] stores throughout Canada. Solid colours are available, as is the classic pattern featuring the green, red, yellow, and indigo stripes. The blankets have always been made in England; today they are made by John Atkinson, a sub brand of A.W. Hainsworth & Sons Ltd.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atkinsonblankets.co.uk/history-of-the-blanket/|title=History of the Blanket &#124; England's Finest Blankets|date=February 26, 2018}}</ref>

Wools from Britain and New Zealand are used in the manufacture of blankets.<ref name="hbc">{{cite web|title=Hudson's Bay Point Blanket|url=http://www.hbcheritage.ca/things/fashion-pop/hbc-point-blanket|publisher=HBC|access-date=2 March 2018}}{{dead link|date=March 2025}}</ref>

The official licensee allowed to import Hudson's Bay Blankets into the United States for commercial sale is [[Woolrich]] Inc. of Pennsylvania. Four U.S. retailers {{as of|2012|lc=on}} sell the blankets to consumers: Woolrich, [[L.L.Bean]], Getz's Department Store in [[Marquette, Michigan]], and [[Johnson Woolen Mills]].{{cn|date=December 2023}}

In May, 2025 [[Canadian Tire]] bought the rights to the blankets from Hudson's Bay as part of a $30 million purchase agreement.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

== Collectibility ==
[[File:HBCLabel2017.jpg|thumb|HBC point blanket label since April 2017]]
[[File:HBCExtraCanada150.jpg|thumb|Label for Canada's 150th Anniversary, applied to the special-edition blankets]]

Genuine point blankets have become very collectible and could fetch prices up to thousands of dollars. The main determinants of value include age, size, colour, pattern rarity and condition. Particularly collectible point blankets are the Coronation blankets: the one produced for the [[Coronation of Elizabeth II|1953 coronation]] of Queen Elizabeth II brings approximately $600 if in mint condition while examples of the even rarer [[Coronation of George VI and Elizabeth|1937 coronation]] blanket have sold for as high as $1300.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

In 1890, HBC began adding labels to their blankets because point blankets of similar quality were being sold by HBC competitors from such manufacturers as Early's of Witney.<ref name="witney">{{cite web|title=Point blankets and North America|url=http://witneyblanketstory.org.uk/WBP.asp?navigationPage=North%20America|website=Genuine Witney Blanket Story|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

[[Harold Lee Tichenor]], point blanket collector and consultant to Hudson's Bay Company, has written two books on point blankets and their collectability.<ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 1895892201|title = The Blanket: An Illustrated History of the Hudson's Bay Point Blanket|last1 = Tichenor|first1 = Harold|year = 2002|publisher = Hudson's Bay Company}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 0973145900|title = The Collector's Guide to Point Blankets of the Hudson's Bay Company and Other Companies Trading in North America|last1 = Tichenor|first1 = Harold|year = 2002| publisher=Cinetel Film Productions Limited }}</ref>

In April 2017, HBC updated the label, rotating it from vertical to horizontal, making it easy to display English and French on either side of the crest, which has been enhanced with red on the flag.  To celebrate the [[150th anniversary of Canada]] in 2017, HBC added an additional label to the blanket: a picture of voyageurs in a canoe, with "Canada" printed at the top.

On 2 May 2020, HBC celebrated its 350th anniversary. It re-released a series of special, limited-edition blankets in a variety of historic colourways and patterns. It added a 'Special Edition' label with a picture of the sailing vessel ''[[Nonsuch (1650 ship)|Nonsuch]]'' and the words 'Celebrating HBC's 350th Anniversary'.

* The Sky Blue Hudson's Bay Point Blanket{{snd}} February
* The Camel Hudson's Bay Point Blanket{{snd}} March
* The Ice Cream Hudson's Bay Point Blanket{{snd}} April
* The 350th Commemorative Hudson's Bay Point Blanket (Grey){{snd}} May
* The Gold Hudson's Bay Point Blanket{{snd}} June
* The Scarlet Hudson's Bay Point Blanket{{snd}} July

== Name in First Nations languages ==
The Hudson's Bay blanket is called by different names in First Nations languages. Some examples are:
* {{lang|hai|Baahlaads gyaa'adaay}}, [[Haida language]]<ref>{{cite web
| title = FirstVoices: Hlg̱aagilda X̱aayda Kil words
| access-date = July 10, 2012
| url = http://www.firstvoices.com/en/Hlgaagilda-Xaayda-Kil/word/60ec5c6c66304ae5/Hudson%27s+Bay+blanket
}}</ref>
*  {{lang|kwk|p̓a̱lx̱a̱lasǥa̱m}}, [[Kwakʼwala]]<ref>{{cite web
| title = FirstVoices: Kwak̓wala words
| access-date = July 10, 2012
| url = http://www.firstvoices.com/en/Kwakwala/word/f87b525fda4f2fdd/Hudson%27s+Bay+blanket
}}</ref>
*  {{lang|kut|ʔa·q̓unaq}}, [[Kutenai language]]<ref>{{cite web
| title = FirstVoices: Ktunaxa words
| access-date = July 10, 2012
| url = http://www.firstvoices.com/en/Ktunaxa/word/1b82ab5fc50585dd/Hudson+Bay+blanket.
}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* Bown, S. (2020). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=BMuMzgEACAAJ The Company: The Rise and Fall of the Hudson's Bay Empire]''. Anchor Canada. {{ISBN|0385694091|978-0385694094}}
* Bryce, G. (1900). 1st ed. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=_ltbNBHw-eIC The Remarkable History of the Hudson's Bay Company]''.
* Forest, Alison and Jill Oakes. “The Blanket Coat: Unique Canadian Dress.” Canadian Home Economics Journal, 41 (3), Summer 1991, pp. 121-127.
* Hanson, C. “Some Additional Notes on Trade Blankets.” The Museum of the Fur Trade Quarterly, 24 (4), Winter 1988, pp. 5-11.
* Hudson’s Bay Point Blankets. Moccasin Telegraph, Spring 1963, pp. 10 & 15.
* Hudson’s Bay Point Blankets. Moccasin Telegraph, Summer 1979, pp. 60-61.
* Mackay, D. “Blanket Coverage.” The Beaver, June 1935, pp. 44-52.
* McIntosh, Andrew. "[https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/mcintosh-blanket-statement-how-a-canadian-icon-is-woven-into-the-countrys-shameful-past Blanket Statement — How a Canadian icon is woven into the country's shameful past]". November 25, 2021. [[Ottawa Citizen]].
* The Manufacturing Process of HBC Point Blankets. Moccasin Telegraph, Spring 1963, pp. 11-13.
* Olsen, S. (2010). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=1oydcQAACAAJ Working with Wool: A Coast Salish Legacy and the Cowichan Sweater]''. Sono Nis Press. {{ISBN|1550391771|978-1550391770}}
* Ostroff, J. (2017). ''[https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/how-a-smallpox-epidemic-forged-modern-british-columbia/ How a Smallpox Epidemic Forged Modern British Columbia]''. [[Maclean's]].
* Plummer, A., Early, R. E. (1969). ''The Blanket Makers, 1669-1969: A History of Charles Early & Marriott (Witney) Ltd.'' United Kingdom: Augustus M. Kelley. {{ISBN|0710063008|978-0710063007}}
* Ross, Lester A. Hudson’s Bay Company Suppliers: An Illustrated Directory of British Commercial Suppliers who provided Manufacturers, Products and Provisions shipped to the Hudson’s Bay Company Columbia Department, 1821-52. Parks Canada, Manuscript Report Number 381, Volume 1.
* Rich, E.E., ed. McLouglin’s Fort Vancouver Letters, First Series, 1825-38. Volume IV, Hudson’s Bay Record Society, London, 1941.
* Rich, E.E., ed. McLoughlin’s Fort Vancouver Letters, Second Series, 1839-44. Volume VI, Hudson’s Bay Record Society, London, 1941.
* Swagerty, W.R. (2002). ''[https://www.washingtonhistory.org/columbia-magazine/columbia-archives/ Indian Trade Blankets in the Pacific Northwest: History and Symbolism of a Unique North American Tradition]''. Columbia: The Magazine of Northwest History.
* [[Harold Lee Tichenor|Tichenor, H.]] (2002). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=1iu9swEACAAJ The Blanket: An Illustrated History of the Hudson’s Bay Blanket]'' A Quantum Book. {{ISBN|1895892201|978-1895892208}}
* [[Harold Lee Tichenor|Tichenor, H.]]  (2002). [https://books.google.com/books?id=aYL_ygAACAAJ The Collector's Guide to Point Blankets of the Hudson's Bay Company and Other Companies Trading in North America]. Cinetel Film Productions Ltd. {{ISBN|9780973145908|0973145900}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.hbcheritage.ca/hbcheritage/history/blanket/ HBC Heritage - Our History - The HBC Point Blanket]
* [https://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/archives/hbca/common_research_topics.html#blankets Government of Manitoba Archives: HBC Point Blankets]
* [https://www.pointblankets.com/ The Point Blanket Site] - Researcher and consultant Harold Tichenor provides valuable information about the history of the point blanket.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JettV-JsUhY&ab_channel=TextileMuseumofCanada Textile Museum of Canada] - This short video provides more information about the Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=466ok04_grI&ab_channel=CurriculumServicesCanada Curriculum Services Canada]. - Learn more about the HBC Point Blanket from this educational video.
* [https://www.lunchip.com/hbb/index.html The Warm Blanket Story] - includes an interview with Harold Tichenor.
* [https://downiewenjack.ca/the-blanket-fund/ The Blanket Fund] - 100% of Net Proceeds from the Sale of all HBC Point Blankets will go to Indigenous Peoples
* [http://www.witneyblanketstory.org.uk/wbp.asp?navigationPage=North%20America Whitney Point Blankets and America]

{{Bedding}}
{{Hudson's Bay Trading Company, L.P.}}

[[Category:Blankets]]
[[Category:Canadian fashion]]
[[Category:Fur trade]]
[[Category:Hudson's Bay Company]]
[[Category:Native American clothing]]
[[Category:Western wear]]
[[Category:Winter clothes]]