Antique Ballot Box with Original Handmade Marbles, Huge Discount
$249.99
This is an antique ballot box, typically used by fraternal organizations such as the Masons, and sometimes by churches. There are several different styles of these, as well as many modern reproductions. This one is made of wood, with a wood handle and hinged top lid. Instead of the usual half-cup to catch the marble when a vote is cast, this one surrounds the hold with a raised wooden "horn" that completely surrounds the hole. A much rarer design.
Excellent condition with all joints solid as well as the handle. No splits in the wood, only the expected nicks and spots of missing finish. This could easily be improved with a bit of scratch cover. Total length including the handle is about 15", while the box itself is 9.5" by 6.5" by 4".
Included in the ballot box are 39 original marbles. Many if not most boxes that you see for sale have the wrong marbles in them. They have either been replaced with new black and white machine made marbles (especially if it is a newer repro box), or sometimes you will see them with old clay marbles...right age, wrong type of marble.
The correct marbles for these older boxes are handmade black and white marbles. Note the pontils on each marble in the close-up photos. Each marble should have two pontils on opposing sides. Robert Block in his identification book values these ballot marbles at $10 EACH. So this offer has $390 worth of marbles included in it, plus the value of the box itself. Total value would be $450-$500+, but for sale much cheaper here.
For more great items from Dayspring Collectibles, click this link to go to our main shop page: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dayspringcollectible
As always, buy more than one item from my shop and I'll combine the shipping. I don't make a profit on shipping like some sellers do. However, etsy's calculator doesn't do well with combined orders, so you may get a partial refund of your shipping cost after you have paid for the order.
Keep in mind that many of my items are one-of-a-kind, and I have local customers looking at them. If you buy something that has just sold locally and wasn't yet removed, the order will be cancelled and your full payment returned to you, unless I have a similar item in stock. You can always contact me before your purchase to confirm the item is still available.
Excellent condition with all joints solid as well as the handle. No splits in the wood, only the expected nicks and spots of missing finish. This could easily be improved with a bit of scratch cover. Total length including the handle is about 15", while the box itself is 9.5" by 6.5" by 4".
Included in the ballot box are 39 original marbles. Many if not most boxes that you see for sale have the wrong marbles in them. They have either been replaced with new black and white machine made marbles (especially if it is a newer repro box), or sometimes you will see them with old clay marbles...right age, wrong type of marble.
The correct marbles for these older boxes are handmade black and white marbles. Note the pontils on each marble in the close-up photos. Each marble should have two pontils on opposing sides. Robert Block in his identification book values these ballot marbles at $10 EACH. So this offer has $390 worth of marbles included in it, plus the value of the box itself. Total value would be $450-$500+, but for sale much cheaper here.
For more great items from Dayspring Collectibles, click this link to go to our main shop page: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dayspringcollectible
As always, buy more than one item from my shop and I'll combine the shipping. I don't make a profit on shipping like some sellers do. However, etsy's calculator doesn't do well with combined orders, so you may get a partial refund of your shipping cost after you have paid for the order.
Keep in mind that many of my items are one-of-a-kind, and I have local customers looking at them. If you buy something that has just sold locally and wasn't yet removed, the order will be cancelled and your full payment returned to you, unless I have a similar item in stock. You can always contact me before your purchase to confirm the item is still available.