774 Four-Pointed Star Pattern
Four-Pointed Star Pattern
Target Ball
Unknown, American
Golden Amber
Provenance: Ex Ralph Finch Collection, American Glass Gallery
This extremely rare Four-Pointed Star Pattern target ball was sold in the legendary American Glass Gallery, Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera Auction that occurred in six parts from 2017-2019.
The subject target ball is golden amber and embossed with large, 4-pointed stars around the entire ball. The raised star pattern was designed to aid in the breaking of the ball by “catching” the pellets. The ball was made in a 3-piece mold, has a rough sheared mouth, measures 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and is perfect. This is an extremely rare mold, in a very attractive pattern, with only a handful known to exist. The auctioneer noted that two examples were previously sold on eBay, in 2002 and 2005, for $5,000, and $5,800 respectively. Despite research, very little is known about this extremely rare, and interesting, target ball.
See the museum example of a Stars and Bars Pattern target ball.
Primary Image: Four-Pointed Star Pattern Target Ball imaged on location by Alan DeMaison, FOHBC Virtual Museum Midwest Studio.
Support: Auction Lot 774: Rare, 4-pointed Star Pattern Target Ball, America, 1875 – 1900. Golden amber, embossed with large, 4-pointed stars around entire ball, 3-piece mold, rough sheared mouth, dia. 2 5/8”, perfect. – John Pastor, American Glass Gallery, The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019
Support Image: Four-Point Star Target Ball interior next to an exterior photograph. Jim Hagenbuch, Glass Works Auctions.
Support: Reference to the American Glass Gallery, The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019
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