2010 Collectors' Favorites Continued...

From Roger and Maria Brun:


Here are some photos of glass floats added to our collection in 2010. These are our favorites.



The first picture is of a 5 inch S marked float, possibly from Survig or Sorvik glassworks-1808 or 1809-1821. This may prove to be difficult when considering that the first commercial floats were credited to Hadeland Glasverks approx. 1840/41. In the background of the photo is a dark brown large egg float similar to Richard's large egg. These two floats were purchased from Mr. M. from northwestern Norway. Many good and rare floats have come from him.

Two of us have been doing quite a bit of communication concerning Aasnaes Glasverks. There is reason to believe that Aasnaes was also producing in the beginning of glassfloat production in Norway. At this point there is no concrete proof of that idea. The thought is based on conjecture, the types of floats produced by Aasneas and the glassverk's proximity to the seafishing. Hadeland Glasverks is located on a fiord, far from the sea, and Cod fishing, but is closer to the Oslo/Christiania markets, and Sweden. One gets the impression that Aasnaes was in more direct communication and sales with the fishermen, while Hadeland had more contact with buyers. One day, a sales receipt, diary account or another written proof will surface.






The second photo is of two floats marked with an H. The smaller 3” is an Asian float that we purchased on ebay, and was sent to us from New York. The bigger 5” float we purchased from Mr. M.-together with the S marked and egg float in June 2010. The Norwegian H mark may have been made at Hestviken glassworks-1849 until 1857.



Next, is a photo of a reddish brown 3” Torvald Stranne. This one is of a thick glass, and heavier than the other 3” TS floats in our collection. Maria and I found this float at an antique store in Stockholm, November 2010. The Torvald Stranne floats may have been produced by the makers of Bjorkshult. or Albrectsons floats, and was most likely made during the Contemporary period from mid-1950 until 1970.







In October 2010 we made a trade of several floats with our friend Todd. A 2.5” Grooved Japanese, a Torpedo Roller and this huge Jumbo Roller is what came out of the trade and found their way to Norway. These are really cool floats and are among the favorites in the collection, a big thanks to Todd.

The other two small floats in the photo of 5 floats came all the way from Hawaii to Norway. They were won on an ebay auction. They are a 2” Boxed DG and a 2,5” float with a big star on the sealing button.








All the Best in the year 2011,
Roger and Maria








From Todd Marvik, the "Norsknailpounder":

I'll have to say that getting floats from our mutual friend in Norway, has got to be the tops. However, there are some floats that are not so rare and old which stand out as well.

So, I will say that the five floats that I want to mention are:


The N> marked float mentioned in AR/SF book is my favorite. Most likely from Namsos Glasverks, and from the 1850s. There seems to be a line of these floats starting with the mark AN, and continuing up the alphabet. I've been lucky to get a few of these Namsos floats, and all are from the 1850's.



I have a float that a friend from Portugal signed and sent to me, this would be my second favorite. It's marked with a 5 over 115, and likely Portuguese. I know it's not a rare one, but Hector took the time to sign it, and that makes it a favorite and special to me.



Third on my list of favorites is a float obtained in a 2010 trade with Roger & Maria. It's a really nice clear dogneck in a net. I haven't had one in a net before.

Fourth on my list of favorites are a trio of floats bought from a seller on Ebay. All three floats are in nets, and marked B over V. Most likely French-made, and are unusual to me, because they come from a seller living in the USA. I took one of the cap nets off, and I'm not sure, but there looks like they have some writing on them. I have some more research to do on them for sure!



The V over B or B over V floats normally are found in green glass, but Ken Busse had a beautiful example in a slightly sunturned color. Also, these floats are not only marked on the side of the glass, but are also found with the embossing on the float's glass seal, which can also be called the "cachet".



Lastly, I bought a float from David Neff. It's marked LV and has a bit of blue swirling in it. I've been wanting one for some time.

Lets hope this year we have another good year for our collections !

All the best Todd.





It was quite unexpected when after winning the first Swirled LV early in 2010, a second example of the same marking with blue swirls appeared later in the year. Now, we learn that a third example came to Todd. Never seen before, suddenly three were found in one year. Here are two photos each of the 1st. then the 2nd. Blue Swirled LV's found last year:























Thank you Roger, Maria and Todd for taking the time to send your photos and commentary of your favorites from the last year.

I hope to receive a couple of additional replies for this topic. If nothing else is received, the next posting will show my favorites.