How much are Japanese glass fishing floats worth?

Answer 1

The value of a Japanese glass fishing float will vary according to numerous factors such as the color, shape, size, uniqueness & marks it may have.

A standard 3" float that is authentic will retail for a minimum of $10. If a float has, for example, a different color of swirls throughout it, it the value increases. These floats are sought after by collectors because they are unique. I, personally, have many floats with different colors of swirls in the glass. The most expensive one was just over $50. Throw in a float with a spindle & you could expect to pay upwards of $50 & more. If a float has a uncommon makers mark, that will increase the price & if it has a rare mark, expect to pay a premium. And, the larger the size of the float, the more expensive it will be depending on the previously mentioned qualities. I have a 12" diameter float with bright cobalt blue swirls that was over $300. However, there will never be another one like it & it is one-of-a-kind.

Glass fishing floats also come in other shapes. The Hokkaido roller resembles a rolling pin. There is also a Tohoku roller that is a fat version of a rolling pin. Both typically retail for $20-40 depending on the seller. There are many variations to these floats - particularly the Tohoku roller. The "Kanji roller" is one of the most sought after Tohoku rollers to be made. Often these floats command a minimum of $1,000 & have been sold for over $4,000. The $4,000 roller was a very rare, one-of-a-kind float & it is the only one known of at this time.

If you are looking for authentic glass fishing floats, beware of bright colors & make sure the glass is thick. There are many reproduction floats (fakes, curios, contemporaries) for sale that are misrepresented as being authentic. Many people don't realize the difference between a "real" float & a "fake" float.

As I mentioned, there are many, many variations as to how much a glass fishing float is worth. If you have questions, you can send a message to 1junkie@glassfloatjunkie.com.

For additional information about glass fishing floats, you should check out glassfloatjunkie.com.

BELOW WAS THE PREVIOUS ANSWER. DEPENDING ON THE FLOAT, $600 COULD BE AN INFLATED VALUE. IT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SOME VERY UNIQUE QUALITIES TO BE WORTH THAT MUCH MONEY.

A commercial fisherman with over 40 years experience in various fisheries in Alaska, West Coast U.S., Hawaii and other parts of the Pacific found at sea a rare amber glass float with most of the webbing intact. He estimated its value at about $600USD, enough to warrant the $100 UPS shipping charges he paid to ship it from Hawaii back to his current residence in Montana.

Answer 2

The value of a Japanese glass fishing float will vary according to numerous factors such as the color, shape, size, uniqueness & marks it may have.

A standard 3" float that is authentic will retail for a minimum of $10. If a float has, for example, a different color of swirls throughout it, it the value increases. These floats are sought after by collectors because they are unique. I, personally, have many floats with different colors of swirls in the glass. The most expensive one was just over $50. Throw in a float with a spindle & you could expect to pay upwards of $50 & more. If a float has a uncommon makers mark, that will increase the price & if it has a rare mark, expect to pay a premium. And, the larger the size of the float, the more expensive it will be depending on the previously mentioned qualities. I have a 12" diameter float with bright cobalt blue swirls that was over $300. However, there will never be another one like it & it is one-of-a-kind.

Glass fishing floats also come in other shapes. The Hokkaido roller resembles a rolling pin. There is also a Tohoku roller that is a fat version of a rolling pin. Both typically retail for $20-40 depending on the seller. There are many variations to these floats - particularly the Tohoku roller. The "Kanji roller" is one of the most sought after Tohoku rollers to be made. Often these floats command a minimum of $1,000 & have been sold for over $4,000. The $4,000 roller was a very rare, one-of-a-kind float & it is the only one known of at this time.

If you are looking for authentic glass fishing floats, beware of bright colors & make sure the glass is thick. There are many reproduction floats (fakes, curios, contemporaries) for sale that are misrepresented as being authentic. Many people don't realize the difference between a "real" float & a "fake" float.

As I mentioned, there are many, many variations as to how much a glass fishing float is worth. If you have questions, you can send a message to 1junkie@glassfloatjunkie.com.

For additional information about glass fishing floats, you should check out glassfloatjunkie.com.