Keith Glein
This is one of my favorite floats. There's a lot of good things happening in float.
First, it has a perfect stamp of WP #289 mark. This mark appears to be a variation of the Tokui 特 symbol. Walt Pich states that this is an older mark and this float definitely looks old.
Next, it has a side spindle that spirals around the float. There are also lots of swirls in the glass.
Then, the float has a crude construction that makes it a little out-of-round and it has tons of bubbles.
Finally, this float is 5 inches in diameter which makes it excellent for displaying.
It has solid provenance having come from the ex-Ramon Fulton collection.
This maker's mark is similar to WP #180 in many respects. It appears to be a roof mark with a line above the roof, so it looks like a 'K'.
It also differs from WP #180 because it's stamped on a 3-piece Korean float (i.e. not a 2 1/2" size float Japanese float). It's stamped on the seal.
This float was found by Paul Umlauf on a remote Aleutian beach in Alaska.
Beautiful spiral spindle inside a marked float.
The spindle is free standing and runs from top to bottom.
The maker's mark is a variation of WP #138 'DG in a Box'. In this version, there is a period after the 'D' but the period after the 'G' is missing.
The float is 3 1/4 inches in diameter.
It's quite rare to find a spindle float with a clear and complete maker's mark.
This float was found by Paul Umlauf on a remote Aleutian beach in Alaska.
This is the only known example of this one-of-a-kind maker's mark.
The mark is impressed into the glass and looks like a 'Z' with an extra bar. It is definitely not a double stamp.
This float is 9 3/4" in circumference and 3" wide.
It's completely frosted.
This float was found by Paul Umlauf on a remote Aleutian beach in Alaska.
It takes two floats to verify a maker's mark, so if you have a float marked with this stamp please let me know.
Almost complete stamp of WP #218 with the symbols 'A Sa Ha Ra'.
These symbols are stamped twice on around the perimeter of the seal button.
This float is 7 3/4 inches in circumference and 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.
Absolutely stunning side spindle. This side spindle is completely attached to the side of the float but forms a large 'pocket' that has wavy glass.
It's a 4 inch float that's very heavy for its size.
Found in Hawaii.
Emerald Green float with mark WP #7. This is the katakana symbol for 'Se' セ. This mark is commonly known as Otaru T (since it's made by the Otaru Glass Company).
It's a heavy 4 inch float with a side spindle and lots on bubbles in the glass.
Found in Hawaii.
Classic spiraling spindle inside a light green float. The spindle is free standing.
This float is 4 1/4 inches in diameter.
It was acquired in Koloa, Hawaii.
The Green Seal button really sets this float apart and I think makes this a great display float.
It has a nice example of WP #7-A Maru Se ㋝ stamp, that's commonly referred to as Otaru T.
Green seals that are marked are pretty rare; way more rare than marked blue seals or cranberry seals.
This float measures 3 1/2 inches in diameter.
Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.
Common maker's mark WP #134 DG.
This 3 1/4 inch float is mostly frosted with net patterns.
It's from Hokkaido Island, Japan.
Perfect stamp of WP #160 'N' under a roof. This is one of the maker's mark from the Nemuro Canning & Fishing Company.
It's a pre-WWII mark and is classified as uncommon.
This float has excellent provenance having come from the ex-Deborah Hillman collection.