leebran20
Well-Known Member
LBJ: Best of luck tomorrow -- in fact, it is already there for you, though you likely have at least a few more hours left of sleep. Keep us posted with news at least if the photos have to wait. Sounds like you have a good plan on harvesting the goodies. I, too, have engaged in subterfuge when necessary.
On the floats w/ sea water in them, no pardon need be requested for the explanation. Again I'm not an expert, but I do know that authentic ones with water trapped inside them are the result of working floats suffering damage during their time at sea or in other use -- you know, knocking up against the boat, maybe from being thrown around the deck. A key to discerning a real float of this type is looking for such a damage on the float in the form of small spider-web type "cracks" to the surface of the ball, or even more significant damage to the pontil seal (this area of course being able to handle it better). In the course of them working or perhaps even floating in very rough seas to their final destination, the water pressure is great enough that the water gets in, but when they've settled to the resting place to be found the water no longer comes out and it doesn't evaporate. It's quite cool. I like them because they're like an adult and antique-glass lover's version of those things with the "snow" and liquid inside that you would shake up real good and then watch it all fall over the decoration inside.
Yes, water greatly adds to the value of the floats. The two I have would be common $5 floats without the water, but the smaller one I have with just over a third or so of water in it retails quite quickly for around a $100, maybe a bit more. The other one with about an inch and a half of water is worth about $40. Careful though if you do start thinking about buying these types of floats: Look for the trademark damage characteristics first before buying. Shady people do try to "make" these floats by tending to drill the pontil area and then patching it.
Talk to you soon.
On the floats w/ sea water in them, no pardon need be requested for the explanation. Again I'm not an expert, but I do know that authentic ones with water trapped inside them are the result of working floats suffering damage during their time at sea or in other use -- you know, knocking up against the boat, maybe from being thrown around the deck. A key to discerning a real float of this type is looking for such a damage on the float in the form of small spider-web type "cracks" to the surface of the ball, or even more significant damage to the pontil seal (this area of course being able to handle it better). In the course of them working or perhaps even floating in very rough seas to their final destination, the water pressure is great enough that the water gets in, but when they've settled to the resting place to be found the water no longer comes out and it doesn't evaporate. It's quite cool. I like them because they're like an adult and antique-glass lover's version of those things with the "snow" and liquid inside that you would shake up real good and then watch it all fall over the decoration inside.
Yes, water greatly adds to the value of the floats. The two I have would be common $5 floats without the water, but the smaller one I have with just over a third or so of water in it retails quite quickly for around a $100, maybe a bit more. The other one with about an inch and a half of water is worth about $40. Careful though if you do start thinking about buying these types of floats: Look for the trademark damage characteristics first before buying. Shady people do try to "make" these floats by tending to drill the pontil area and then patching it.
Talk to you soon.
] and terrific thread but more importantly please include me on the Cocos Island trip [
