Embossed Circles Target Ball

Embossed Circles Target Ball

American

Honey – Yellow

Provenance: Ex: Ralph Finch Collection, American Glass Gallery

With the many geometric and diamond quilt pattern target balls, you see in our museum, we will now look at this rather interesting piece categorized and named the “Embossed Circles Target Ball.” One might be reminded of Swiss cheese or the Jules Verne moon.

The design defies convention and uses three sizes of embossed circles on the surface of the ball. There is no embossed copy. The target ball is extremely rare and believed to be one of only three or four known examples. It is believed to be American dating from 1875 to 1900. This target ball is often referred to as the “Nickel, Dime, Quarter” ball.

Our near mint specimen measures 2-5/8″ diameter and was made in beautiful honey-yellow glass color and as noted previously is embossed profusely with various sized circles. The ball was made in a 2-piece mold and has a rough sheared mouth.

See our museum example of a Concentric Rings Target Ball

See our museum example of a Geometric Target Ball

See our museum example of a Quilted Diamond Pattern Target Ball

Primary Image: Embossed Circles Target Ball imaged by the FOHBC Virtual Museum midwest studio by Alan DeMaison.

Support: Reference to The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019, John Pastor and American Glass Gallery

Support: Auction Lot 610: Embossed Circles Target Ball, America, 1875 – 1900. Gorgeous honey-yellow coloration, embossed profusely with various sized circles, 2-piece mold, rough sheared mouth, dia. 2 5/8”, near mint; (a 1/8” sliver-type flake on the side of the neck that almost certainly occurred at the time of manufacture, other-wise virtually attic mint). Extremely rare, believed to be one of only three or four known. This ball is often referred to as the “Nickel, Dime, Quarter” ball. – American Glass Gallery, The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019

Support Image: Auction Lot 133: Target Ball, Various size Embossed Circles with embossed Dots, American, ca. 1880 – 1900, medium straw yellow with olive tone color, 2 5/8” diameter, rough sheared lip.  Perfect condition. Identical to the nickel-dime-quarter ball, but having a raised dot in each circle. Extremely rare, possibly unique. We auctioned this ball in 2017 and have not seen another since! Carl Killhoffer Collection. – Jim Hagenbuch, Glass Works Auctions, Auction #155

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