H. Robinson – Birmm Gallery Ball

H. Robinson – Birmm

Gallery Ball

Henry James Robinson, Birmingham, England


Medium to Deep Yellowish Green

Provenance: Ex: Ralph Finch Collection, American Glass Gallery

This glass ball is called a “Gallery Ball” instead of “Target Ball” meaning it was probably made for a shooting gallery that might have been set up at an English country fair, carnival, circus or other locations where fun games of chance occurred. It is kind of hard to believe now, but at these shooting games you used a loaded 22 calibre rifle and in some cases, you could bring your own rifle to shoot metal animals and birds along with glass bottles and balls. Other entertainments that you might find at one of these country fairs, besides shooting, might be jugglers, contortionists, varity troupes and all types of games.

See the museum example of an Unembossed Gallery Ball.

Grand Old-English Country Fair broadside.

In the United States, Capt. Adam Henry Bogardus had a glass ball shooting gallery in Chicago. The gallery apparently handed out souvenir glass balls to the shooters and carried the following inscription on the base of the ball: “From Bogardus and Co. Shooting Gallery, 158 So. Clark St., Chicago.”

Alex Kerr

Read More: Bogardus’ Glass Balls

The embossed ‘H. ROBINSON – BIRMM’ gallery ball is from Birmingham, England and was produced between 1885 and 1905. We know the location as ‘BIRMm’ is embossed on the ball. The second small “M” is smaller, raised and underlined. The wording is very large and somewhat crude. There is no quilting pattern and no center band to contain the embossed name, which is horizontal. The ball is quite a bit plainer than the Stacey & Co. gallery ball from East London.

There is a high probability that H. Robinson stands for Henry James Robinson. He was an established gun maker working out of Birmingham, Warwickshire, England where he was born in 1856. His address for many years (1885-1908) was 5 Court, Price Street.

Museum example “H. Robinson – Birmm” Gallery Ball.

This 2-piece mold, 2 1/4 inch diameter ball is in a rich deep medium-to-deep yellowish-green color with an olive tone. There is a rough-sheared mouth and the condition is perfect. It is a beautiful example in a gorgeous color, filled with tiny seed bubbles. This heavy glass ball is very rare though we’ve seen a few others that are pictured here, and they appear to be from the same mold.

Primary Image: H. Robinson – Birmm” Gallery Ball imaged on location by Alan DeMaison, FOHBC Virtual Museum Midwest Studio.

Support: Reference to What are target balls? I’m glad you asked! By Ralph Finch

Support: Reference to the American Glass Gallery, The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019

Support Primary Image: Auction Lot 688: “H. ROBINSON – BIRMM” Gallery Ball, England, 1880 – 1900. Rich, medium-to-deep yellowish green with an olive tone, 2-piece mold, rough sheared mouth, dia. 2 ¼”, perfect! A beautiful example in a gorgeous color, filled with tiny seed bubbles. A very rare gallery ball, and eye-appealing with the large lettering and fantastic color. Don’t miss an opportunity to add this one to your collection. – American Glass Gallery, The Ralph Finch Collection of Target Balls, Traps and Shooting Ephemera, An Absentee Auction in Six Parts – 2017-2019

Support Images: Examples from Jeff Wichmann and American Bottle Auctions.

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