Quick links
point blanket
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
a well-known make of blanket produced for the Hudson's Bay Company and having marks, or points (def. 2), woven into the fabric.
See: four-point blanket,Hudson's Bay blanket(meaning 1),point(def. 2),pointed blanket,three-point blanket,two-and-a-half-point blanket,two-point blanket
Commonly known as Hudson's Bay blankets (def. 1a) these blankets have long been used in the fur trade with the Indians.
Quotations
1783
I have enclosed instructions for your Guidance and the Standard of the point Blankets I now send you.
1859
His Excellency Gov. Douglas was pleased to accede to their demand for pay, and gave Chief Edensaw, of Queen Charlotte's Island a due bill; "Good to Edensaw for twenty-five 3 pt. best Blankets, on their departure from the Island."
1954
Amongst the innovations were Point Blankets which were made for the first time for the Hudson's Bay Company in 1780 by Thomas Empson of Witney, Oxfordshire. The first order consisted of 100 each of 1, 1 1/2, 2 1/2 and 3 points, making a total of 500 Point Blankets. The "points" were known to every Indian familiar with the Company's competitors as representing the price, e.g. a 2 1/2 point blanket was exchanged for 2 1.2 beavers.
1960
The other familiar product, which is known to white men, too, is the famous "point" blanket.