Lot
Number | Description | Current Bid |
|---|
| 7 HORIZONTAL RING BALL. 1.8 ounces, 3” T/B. Alex had probably a half dozen or so of these unique blue balls. They come in both blue and amber, although, the blue variants seem more prevalent. At any rate we have an excellent example, virtually unimprovable. Here is your second to last chance to pick up a very nice example. Grades a 10. | $ 200 * |
| 7 HORIZONTAL RING BALL. 1.8 ounces, 3” T/B. Speaking of the devil, here we have the harder to find amber variant of the seven-ring target ball. This one is a super condition example with some overall crudity, in pristine condition. A top quality example that grades a 10. | $ 200 * |
| C. BOGARDUS GLASS BALL PATd APR 10 1877. 2 ounces, 3” T/B. As we mentioned in the last auction, the remaining Bogardus balls Alex had, all appear to be American made, assuming the difference is some type of abbreviation above the “A” in April. This ball is another without any markings, and what a pretty ball it is. One of the lightest amber American Bogardus balls we’ve had the pleasure of selling from the Kerr collection. The condition is right up there with the best of them. A terrific grade 10 ball, and don’t forget, it’s the variant with the “C.” | $ 400 * |
| IRA PAINE’S FILLED BALL PAT. OCT 23 1877 with embossed “A” over “PAINE”. 1.8 ounces, 3” T/B. Although the Paine balls are not particularly rare, they certainly have their place among the ball collectors of the world. While this ball may not be the rarest, it is a very pretty light, light amber, almost a straw color. The embossing is a little weak in some spots but heck, we already know what it says anyway! Seriously, even though you may have a Paine ball on your shelf, here is a nice variation in a delicate color you may not have. We’d grade this a 9 with just a hint of some interior stain, and a tiny bit of crazing done in making under the word “FILLED.” | $ 200 * |
| UNEMBOSSED TEAL GREEN TARGET BALL. 2.3 ounces, 3” T/B. Who says un-embossed is boring? As most of you know by now, Alex sought out the rarest but also, often times, the unusual and even occasionally boring target balls. This beautiful example certainly qualifies for at least rare and unusual, as it is the only one that came from his collection. Simply a two-piece ball with no writing; it is a gorgeous teal or turquoise example and in brilliant Mint condition. Although no seams appear on the ball, it would be hard to believe that it was free blown, it is unlikely. It is no doubt a target ball, as it fits all the criteria, but one of the few we’ve seen with no seams in a very unusual coloration. A superb Mint, grade 10 target ball from the Alex Kerr collection. | $ 300 * |
| LATTICE DESIGN RANGE/SHOOTING GALLERY BALL. 1.3 ounces, 2 3/8” T/B. We have a few interesting gallery balls in this auction, this one appearing much like its larger counterpart, i.e. a standard 3” size. Here we have however, the bigger ball in miniature with the latticework similar to a Greener or Bogardus. The difference however, may be instead of a lattice or crisscross design, these are tiny squares with an open band around the middle. This is the only one that we know of that came from Alex’s collection and as pointed out earlier, that would lead one to believe it is fairly hard to find. Condition is terrific with some interesting variations in the glass. Would qualify as a grade 9+ with just a hint of stain in one spot of the interior. A charming little ball. | $ 200 * |
| BIRMn H. ROBINSON GALLERY BALL. 1.6 ounces 2 ¼” T/B. Here is a deep blue English ball used in shooting galleries to place on top of metal rods for target practice. We find these interesting, as they come in a multitude of colors and designs. The Robinson is not unheard of by any means and does come in at least teal and green that we know of. This is your typical deep, almost violet blue. We see this color in bottles and know it’s a dead giveaway for English-made glass. The embossing is fairly strong but somewhat indiscernible in a couple letters. Another superb quality ball from Alex Kerr, this one has a number of bubbles throughout and is generally a grade 10. A very nice gallery ball. | $ 200 * |
| . GREENE LONDON GALLERY/RANGE BALL. 2.6 ounces, 2 ½” T/B. Here’s most certainly an unusual ball in a terrific bluish turquoise. There is damage, as a couple sizeable cracks stem from the rather crude mouth. The ball is very misshapen and overall, a crude bit of a mess. Perfect for those out there who like that kind of thing. Another ball we believe to be scarce, one has to remember, these balls were made to be broken so it’s no wonder especially with the gallery balls, that they are often very crude with not a lot of thought for quality in mind. Here you have it, a very heavy and misshapen, damaged but beautiful glass range ball. Condition is poor. | $ 200 * |
| UNEMBOSSED LIGHT LAVENDER. 1.1 ounces, 2 ½” T/B. Here we have another of the light lavender or amethyst balls in a very delicate form. Not a particularly round ball, it is a little off center and in perfect condition. We have had suggestions, especially by one noted muckraker, that these are possibly not a target ball at all. We simply answer that by saying, “if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it must be a target ball that looks like a duck.” At any rate, we do have one more of these for the final sale. These had to be fairly rare as Alex only had the three. Grades a 10. | $ 80 * |
| WW GREENER ST MARYS WORKS BIRMm & 68 HAYMARKET LONDON. 2.3 ounces, 3” T/B. Alex had some fine Greener balls remaining, here’s an example of that. With super strike and a striking amethyst coloration, this is a very handsome ball or very pretty, depending on how you look at it. Because of all the lattice and embossing, these balls appear more durable than maybe some of the other pieces in this sale. At any rate, here is another grade 10, beautiful example of the purple Greener. | $ 200 * |
| THREE PIECE AMETHYST UNEMBOSSED. Here we have another of the three-piece amethyst balls I believe there may be one example left however, it is in a fairly stressed condition. This ball is about as good as you’re gonna get, as it is basically in “as made” condition, with a rather large opening and virtually problem free. There does appear to be just a hint of interior dirt, we’ve cleaned every one of the balls offered with soap and water and we’re sure that you’ll have no problem, as it’s simply just a hint of rust colored dirt at the very bottom. Otherwise, you’ve got a grade 9 plus, another outstanding ball from the world famous Alex Kerr collection. | $ 100 * |
| UNEMBOSSED LATTICE DESIGN TARGET BALL. 2 ounces, 2 ¾” T/B. Here’s a great example of why we collect glass and how minor variances can affect the desirability for a particular piece. This ball for instance, at first may appear to be simply amber. However, when you look closer, you can see an almost apricot hue with just a touch of pink. A very subtle difference but enough to warrant picking up that extra ball in a slightly different color. This one has a ground lip, which is done immaculately and is all around, once again, I know it’s getting old, a 10. What can I say? Not the rarest, but certainly an intriguing and super condition target ball. | $ 100 * |
| UNEMBOSSED SQUARE DESIGN TARGET BALL. 2.1 ounces, 3” T/B. When you first look at this medium blue ball, the first thing that comes to mind is a globe of the world. The ball is covered in a tiny square design with the center band being unembossed. We wouldn’t say this is exactly rare, but we certainly see way fewer of the square versus the lattice or criss cross design of a Greener or Bogardus. At any rate, this one is another superb condition piece with some darker striated areas of sapphire. Here is one that would make a top notch Christmas ornament. Has anyone out there used target balls as ornaments? Carolyn Kerr mentioned to me that as a youngster, she thought it would be a neat idea to put balls on their Christmas tree that didn’t go over very well with Alex. I had to laugh as I pictured a purple Johnston ball hanging just close enough to the floor for Fido to knock it off and put a damper on the holiday season. At any rate, a Mint grade 10 ball, did you happen to notice the similarity with the smaller range ball included in this sale? They are basically identical in just a larger size. | $ 80 * |
| HOLLOW GRAPHITE BALL. 3.5 ounces, 2 ½ ” T/B. Here we have another ball, which we believe to be graphite and also, somewhat hollow. For a hollow ball, this one sure weighs a lot. I believe there is another of these left and they must be fairly scarce since Alex only had a few. This one would be considered to be in perfect condition, although that’s like grading the condition of a tire from the side—it looks pretty good and doesn’t get you overly excited. Or something like that. At any rate, this is a heavy little devil and, if nothing else, one of these thrown at your favorite enemy, could cause considerable damage. Another perfect specimen. | $ 80 * |
| WW GREENER ST MARYS WORKS BIRMm & 68 HAYMARKET LONDON. 3 ounces, 3” T/B. Here is a fairly deeply colored Greener ball, and if you compare this example to the purple lot, they are made in completely different molds. While the amethyst ball is very bold with strong lettering and all around embossing, this medium blue example is less pronounced in both its mold and embossing. It doesn’t make it any less desirable, just different. And a beauty it is. We’ve seen a number of Greener balls and this one is up there with the best of them. As mentioned, the strike is solid and would grade a good 8 on a scale of 1-10. The ball itself is fairly heavy, which would probably account for the deeper coloration. If you don’t have a Greeners or you’d like a different hue, this lot may fit the bill. Another ball we have to call a Mint 10. | $ 100 * |
