This is a review of a vintage Winsor Newton travel watercolor palette I scored on Ebay. I don’t know the model number or year it was made and if anyone has this info I would appreciate if you passed it on.
I’ve been using a metal travel palette with 14 half pans and was looking for one larger with more paint space and I found this gem on-line. I heard about the old enameled Winsor Newton palettes from my watercolor teacher Tim Clark so I bid for this item which was located in Britain. The vendor kindly wrapped it in fragrant, delicate paper that added to my experience opening the foreign package.
The palette measures 5.5” x 2.75” and folds out to yield 3 large mixing wells and a flat surface. Both rows yield space for 16 half pans, and there are metal dividers between pans and a center area to keep a brush. Two removable metal strips hold the pans securely in place. My palette was partially used and 5 paints were caked with age but the remainders were creamy luxurious colors, particularly the Winsor orange and Venetian red.
The enamel case had a few chips that were easily fixed with Testors paint. I was especially thrilled when I realized that the center row can be used for more colors, so I got busy with my on-line art store and ordered a new row of half pans to make a nice spectrum of watercolors. The only problem is I am afraid the enameled case might get chipped and I don’t want to leave home with it. Who knows when the next one is coming up on Ebay!
So if anyone recognizes this palette and knows more about the year or model number please leave a comment.
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A week ago I found this exact same box in a Dutch thrift store. Unused, and in the original yellow box with an old written 11,13 pound price tag on it. Believe it or not, they sold it for 3 euros!
I was baffled by the logo, since I only knew about the old green one and the one they print/engrave on their equipment today. I haven’t painted since “middelbare school” where I had arts as one of my 6 subjects though. Maybe this find is a sign that I should start again…
Glad that I found your website so I can now identify what I bought.
Forgot that you wanted more information. Since mine had the original box I can tell you what it said on the box.
The box is dark yellow with “Winsor & Newton” and labeled as “12HS Half Pan Box” in black letters, and next to it in white letters “12 Artists Water Colours”.
Inside is a small 15-page booklet held together by copper or mesh staples titled “Colour Mixtures Hints by a professional painter”.
There is a stamped number inside the box, possibly the production number. It’s in the 40000 range.
I have no idea how old the box is, but judging by the previous comments and the time this logo was used, I put it around 1970.
I believe I have the same metal palette that Richard describes. I bought it in the mid 1970s. It was on sale, but my recollection is that it seemed quite expensive. To a college student. There is a metal and enamel Winsor Newton logo plate on the bottom of the mixing area. The outside still has the remnants of two WN stickers. It has a few small scratches and dents, but overall has held up very well with almost no rust; perhaps, because I live in an arid climate.
Hello,
I was given this exact same W&N small folding palette for Christmas (1972) when I was 21…I’m now 69. I love this little palette as much for its sentimental value as for the tough little travel box that it is. Mine got to be VERY rusty over the years. I started a while ago to completely overhaul it. I tore out the center section that holds the pans. (I don’t use pan paint) It opened up an area that I’m going to build plexiglass (acrylic) sections to squeeze out tube paint into. I’ve sanded it and it’s all ready to paint. THIS is where I’ve stopped to consider WHAT might be the best way to get a good, SMOOTH finish from a spray can. SO, I’m intrigued by Steve Batten’s comment about ‘ceramic paint’…and Richard Towers comments about re-spraying it. I would LOVE to get in contact with each of them to hear about how they did the painting…
I also have Holbein 500 and 1000 metal palettes, both of which could use a paint job. Holbein is not making the metal palettes any longer…only the aluminum ones, sadly.
Thanks,
Michael
Wow sounds like you are an equipment junky just like me. Thanks for the comment!
There are some similar modern equivalents from Whisky Painters. Made by FOME in Italy who likely also made the branded W&N palettes over the years. I’ve seen them on Amazon and own several.
I have some similar W&N Palettes that date from I’m guessing the 1970s or 1980s. They have some rust and the enamel is worn and in some small places chipped. Would you describe how you restored yours more specifically? I’d be interested in restoring mine. One of mine was for tubes and has no logo but the half pan one like yours has a W+N logo on the back of the palette portion. Does yours have one? I like the bottoms of the half pans. They have a large W over a large N in a shape and then England written there. I don’t know if that indicates anything. I’d love to know if they are student or artist quality. Thanks.
Thanks for the note Deena. Mine was in good shape when I bought it so didnt need restoration. However Ive used it so much there is rust growing under the enamel inside!
Using an early 1900’s metal palette which has 15 double spaces for small ceramic half-pans. Sprayed the inside with ceramic paint, sealed the long spacers for the ceramic pans, added eight plastic pans to the bottom below the half pan spacers where brushes would go. The 9.5 x 3.25 inch palette now holds 23 colors with lots of space for loading 15 where the long double pan spaces are located.
Hi. I have w&N box No:20, black metal water color box.having 2 paint brushes, 1 blanco and 1 small cup. Can you please tell about the year of this paint box. I want to sale out.
Wow thats a good question Shehper. I have no clue what year this box was made and have not been able to find anyone as yet who can help out.
Hi, I got an identical box for my birthday at 14 (I just turned 60). I loved it then and I love it still. My box is also a bit chipped and a small crack has appeared in one corner. However, I believe that it will still be with me when I turn 90. Good buy!
Thanks for the note Erik! I have got a lot of use from this small, durable and handy palette. Glad to hear you cherished yours for so long!
I bought one of these over twenty years ago and it is in great condition. I bought a Holbein palette two years ago and it is very rusty. When I wrote to Holbein to complain about the poor quality of this palette I mentioned that my W&N travel palette was far better quality. They replied that they actually used to produce these for W&N. The Holbein palette I bought was purchased from Japan from an online supplier as they are not available in the UK. I am sure it is genuine – however, Holbein would not replace it because it was not through one of their recognised suppliers. So don’t be tempted to buy a Holbein palette unless it is from an art store stocking Holbein products.
Amazing story thank you for the tip!
I have a similar W&N box which I bought in 1989, from a shop in Liverpool, UK. The difference is that mine is longer, with four large mixing wells, and the insides are designed to accommodate whole pans, although of course you can fit two half pans into the same space. I discovered pretty early that the central space can be used for more colours, so my box has always been pretty full.
I would be intrigued to know what you paid. Mine cost me abut £95 (discounted because I bought two – full price was over £100). I don’t know what that would be in today’s prices, but this was before the internet and the big discounters came on the scene.
Judging by the logo on your box, it is older than mine. I don’t know exactly when that logo was in use, but I recall seeing it when I first started buying serious art kit, in the late 1960’s.
I recently gave my box a clean-up and rust-treated and resprayed the central compartment and the retaining strips. It came up well. The palette areas have stood up pretty well and the outside has a few scratches, but it seems remarkably resilient.
I hope your box gives as you as much pleasure as mine has given me.
Thanks for the note Richard. I scored this box for about $125. This is a really great box and have got a lot of good use from it, carrying it everywhere in my art supply pack.