This weight, commissioned by Paul Jokelson as part of his efforts to rekindle popular interest in glass paperweights, marked the return of Saint Louis to paperweight production in the 20th century. Gerard Ingold’s writings give some detail of this series, recording that there were a little over 1200 produced; comprising a regular edition (making use of different grounds as well as clear crystal, with and without millefiori circles) as well as a limited edition, with overlay.
The three example of this series that I'm able to examine closely - all regular issue - use different canes in the encircling row and one contains a date cane (SL1953). This is the first time I've noticed a date cane and I can't find any examples of it in the books I've checked. Does anyone have further knowledge about the variations found in this particular series?