Glass Fishing Float Mold Cast Iron Nautical #1612 Start Price USD 15.00 Current Price USD 185.50 Time Left - Bid Count 4 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, October 10, 2008 End Time Friday, October 17, 2008 Location Ocean Grove, Victoria See more about 'Glass Fishing Float Mold Cast Iron Nautical #1612' Description This extremely rare cast iron float mold was discovered in Wakkanai, a small fishing town on northern Hokkaido.  It originated from a glass fishing float factory in Toyatomi Onsen where Mr Maeda part owned the factory with Ashahara Glass Company in the early 1930's.  Toyatomi Onsen was chosen as the perfect place for melting glass as it was a rich source of natural gas. The joint venture moved to Wakkanai sometime later and eventually closed in 1970's.  Glass floats made at the factory were sold to Rebun Island and Wakkanai fishermen.  Mrs Maeda, now in her late 80s has kept this mold in her garden for many years.  This mold weighs 10 kilograms.  It is a fantastic part of float making history on Hokkaido Island, Japan.  Measures 29cm (11.5") in outer diameter and 27.5cm (10 and half inches) in inner diameter.   Our Japanese hand made fishing floats were made and used by fishermen from Hokkaido Island of northern Japan and considered by collectors to be ‘real’ and authentic..  In Japan Glass fishing floats are being replaced by plastic and polystyrene making authentic glass fishing floats highly collectible.     We use Express Fedex to ship to USA. $5 to post within Australia. All Fedex and Courier prices quoted include insurance. On Oct-09-08 at 21:46:40 PDT, seller added the following information:The $5 postage within Australia is incorrect - please contact me for postage/courier prices within Australia. Place a Bid!