Keith Glein
This is a very nice light blue Japanese glass fishing float approximately 3 inches in diameter.
It has an internal spindle running from the seal to 2/3 the way to the base. I'm speculating that glass blower must have set it down at an angle to have the spindle form toward the side like this.
This float was beachcombed on a remote Alaskan beach.
This float is a classic example of the combination of Blue Swirls and Green Seal. Sometimes blue swirl floats come with just a green nubbin but this one has a seal button that's entirely colored green.
There's a nice clear and complete stamp of mark WP #81 '2'. Here you can really see the flair to the script of the number 2.
Free standing Spindle that runs from top to bottom. This is a good example of a drip of molten glass that comes direct off the seal to form a filament that extends to the base of the float.
There's also a stamp of mark WP #24 'Shi' シ; more commonly known as 'Smiley Face'.
The glass has lots swirling and ridges in it from being produced in the mold.
This is a rare 18 inch float. It measures a full 54 inches in circumference.
I acquired this float from a widow who's husband had served in the military in Japan. I was told that he brought this float back with him after WWII in 1946. It had been sitting in their closet undisturbed for almost 70 years before I purchased it.
The float was heavily netted and it was difficult to tell much about it from the pictures except for it's size. But I love 18 inch floats, so the gigantic size was enough for me.
You can imagine my surprise when this float arrived and I removed the dirty old crumbling thick net and found this pristine float with these beautiful blue swirls. Just thinking about that moment still brings a smile to my face. It's what most of us float collectors dream of.
The blue swirls emanate from the seal button and spiral entirely around the float to it's base. The blue swirls just seems to keep going and going.
This float is in excellent condition without even one flea bite chip on the seal button.
It also has tons of bubbles in the glass.
This float is truly an awesome display float!!!
Rare Japanese glass fishing float with a Groove around the equator.
Even though Groove floats are rare, when they have a mark on the the seal button that puts them in a different class. This float appears to have a partial stamp of WP #109.
It measures 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.
Beautiful cobalt blue Double FF marked glass fishing float. It has mark WP #2 Kita 北 stamped on the seal button.
This is a more contemporary float made by Hokuyo Glass Company probably from the 1950's or 1960's.
Even though this float was not used for fishing it is still a striking beautiful float.
It is a very desirable 7 1/4 inches in diameter.
A fine free standing Spindle with a curve.
Seal is stamped with WP #11 'Rivermouth' in a triangular shape.
This 3 3/4 inch float also has a fragile sisal net.
Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.
Clear and complete stamp of WP #182 'S' in a Diamond.
This float measures 3 inches in diameter.
Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.
Attractive maker's mark is classified as WP #303. It has the 'Sa' サ symbol under a roof at a 90 degree orientation.
This 2 1/4 inch float has a net that is nicely centered around the seal.
Found on Hokkaido Island, Japan.
Interesting light lavender color in this 2 1/2 inch float.
This float clearly shows signs of wear from being a working float including chipping on the seal, scratches in the glass, and many scuff marks.
The unique color makes this an excellent display float.
Perfect stamp of WP #14 'Tokui' 特 on a 2 1/2 inch float.
Found in Hawaii.