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🔥 PRICED TO SELL — OFFERS WELCOME! 🔥
🏛️ I’m selling a substantial portion of my personal collection of historic West Baden Springs Hotel and French Lick Springs Hotel memorabilia! I have several other fascinating original pieces listed separately.
💰 Everything is priced with a quick sale in mind, and I’m very open to reasonable offers! Please don’t hesitate to reach out! 🤝
ANTIQUE WEST BADEN SPRINGS GLASS PAPERWEIGHT — CIRCA 1910
Historic Covered Cycle Track • “The Carlsbad of America” • Original-Appearing Construction • 1.38 Pounds of Beautiful Antique Glass
Offered for sale is an exceptionally substantial antique photographic glass paperweight depicting the historic Covered Cycle Track at West Baden Springs, Indiana.
Dating to approximately 1910, this remarkable piece preserves an early view of one of the resort’s most unusual attractions, a magnificent multi-level recreational structure demolished approximately a century ago.
The photograph bears the original inscription:
“Covered Cycle Track, West Baden, Ind., ‘The Carlsbad of America.’”
The paperweight features beautifully rounded, exceptionally thick clear glass, an attractive aged photographic image, and a securely attached metal backing with original-appearing sealing putty.
I personally selected this piece for my collection because of its unusual historical subject, impressive size and weight, and wonderfully preserved antique character.
Its construction and apparent aging are consistent with an original early-20th-century paperweight rather than a modern DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATIONS
Estimated Date: Circa 1910 (approximately 1905–1915)
Dimensions: 5-1/4” × 3-1/2” × 1-1/8”
Weight: Approximately 624 grams / 22 ounces / 1.376 pounds
Materials: Heavy clear glass, enclosed photographic image, recessed metal backing, and aged sealing compound
Subject: Covered Cycle Track, West Baden Springs, Indiana
Inscription: “Covered Cycle Track, West Baden, Ind., ‘The Carlsbad of America.’”
Condition: Very good antique display condition.
The thick glass remains free of chips and cracks, with light age-related surface wear and a small internal bubble believed to be an original manufacturing characteristic.
The photograph lies flat beneath the glass and remains attractive and legible, exhibiting natural age-related toning, discoloration, and localized deterioration.
The recessed metal backing retains extensive mottled patina and oxidation. Its aged perimeter sealing putty has deteriorated or disappeared in places, but the backing remains firmly secured.
There are no visible indications that the backing has ever been removed, replaced, or resealed.
The previous owner attributed the paperweight to approximately 1910, a date consistent with its apparent construction and historical subject. However, its exact manufacturing date, maker, and photographic printing process have not been independently established.
The piece has not been disassembled or restored during my ownership. No restoration is THE HISTORIC COVERED CYCLE TRACK
Constructed around 1896 during the ownership of Lee W. Sinclair, the remarkable covered cycle track was one of West Baden Springs’ most unusual recreational attractions.
Its distinctive multi-level design accommodated bicycle riding above and horses or ponies below, while also serving the recreational interests of the resort’s fashionable guests.
The structure reportedly survived until approximately 1925, when storm damage led to its removal.
The paperweight preserves a fascinating image of this long-demolished landmark, with its distinctive repeating arches, surrounding wooded hillside, and architectural details still clearly visible.
The inscription “The Carlsbad of America” reflects West Baden’s celebrated reputation as a mineral-spring resort, referencing the famous European spa destination of Carlsbad.
Together, the historic photograph and promotional inscription offer a wonderful glimpse into the resort’s early-20th-century CONDITION & COLLECTOR APPEAL
Particularly noteworthy features include:
• Original-appearing antique construction dating to approximately 1910
• Historic image of the long-demolished Covered Cycle Track
• Famous “The Carlsbad of America” inscription
• Exceptionally thick glass with beautifully rounded edges and corners
• Impressive 1.38-pound weight
• Glass free of chips and cracks
• Small internal manufacturing-type bubble
• Attractive, legible period photographic image
• Secure metal backing with extensive antique patina
• Original-appearing aged sealing putty, with natural losses
• No visible evidence of disassembly or resealing
The paperweight displays beautifully, with natural aging appropriate to its estimated age.
Its photographic image, glass, metal backing, and sealing materials have been left undisturbed during my ownership.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
The 1934 Mercury dime shown for size comparison is not PROTECTIVE PACKAGING & PRESERVATION
This substantial antique glass paperweight will be packaged with extreme care.
It will be individually wrapped in clean, soft, nonabrasive protective material, with generous cushioning around all surfaces, edges, and corners.
Additional protective packing materials will be used to prevent movement and provide excellent protection during transit.
The paperweight will be securely packaged in a sturdy cardboard shipping box, never a bubble mailer.
All packing tape will remain completely isolated from the paperweight.
COLLECTOR’S PRESERVATION RECOMMENDATION: Store or display in a clean, dry, climate-controlled environment away from prolonged direct sunlight, excessive heat, and moisture. The aged metal backing and sealing putty should be left undisturbed to preserve the original-appearing SHIPPING
• Ships same or next business day
• FREE USPS Ground Advantage within the United States
• Fully insured with tracking
• Carefully and securely packaged
• Ships in a sturdy cardboard box — never a bubble INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
• FREE through International Shipping
OR
• USPS Priority Mail International
• Flat rate: $99.95
• Insurance and tracking included
Buyer is responsible for any customs duties, VAT, brokerage fees, tariffs, taxes or other import charges imposed by their OFFERS & RETURNS
All serious offers considered.
All sales are final unless the item has been grossly misrepresented.
