Red Marble "Apple Polisher" Paperweight-USA, circa 1990's

Still to this day, apple paperweights are seen on the desks of educators everywhere. There are a several different theories on how the apples became the symbol of education, but the story of students gifting their teacher an apple is a well-known tradition. Before schoolhouses came to be prominent in the world, a family could hire a trained educator (teacher) for a "live in tutor". These teachers were normally paid very little. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Danish and Swedish tutors were often gifted baskets of apples to help compensate for their poor wages.
In 1800's America, the western frontier settlers were responsible for providing housing and workspace for a trained educator to allow their children to be schooled. Some workspaces were "one room" set-ups in the agreed upon church while others built "schoolhouses" for all children in their rural community to have a gathering for educational teachings. Since apples were an abundant crop in America, students began taking apples to teachers for sustenance or a token of appreciation. Due to apples harvest peak times in the Western Hemisphere being in early fall season, teachers would begin the communities schooling of children in September. This date would ensure the teachers the freshest and best apples for themselves and for the tradition to maintain its convenience.
Schoolhouses in America began to get larger and more populated so the tradition of baskets of apples every year faded away. In the 1920's the practice of still bringing your teacher an apple at the beginning of a school year was reduced to a social status by children. If you showed up in September to school and gifted a single apple to your teacher, your teacher would think you were trying to "curry favor" and other students would see you as a "high hat" or snob. These apple students would be known as "apple polishers" or todays term "Suck-Ups".
In 1939, Bing Crosby recorded the infamous hit duet "An Apple for The Teacher" and the tradition was restored as a heartwarming gesture from students to teachers all the way into the American 1980's.
This apple paperweight would serve as a great traditional gift for a teacher's desk. National Teacher's Appreciation Day is May 7th in America, this item could definitely solidify your status as an Apple Polisher!
This item was picked in Justin, Texas (home of Justin Boots) and did not have a tag or markings. I am not a geologist or know its 100% origin but here is my hypothesis based on the material.
Possibly originated from a gray limestone quarry in Indiana, Kansas, or even Vermont.
After that somewhere a marble making company added red dye and carved the "marbleized stone"
into an apple. Buffed and polished to a glossy smooth exterior and added a "faux" plastic apple stem to complete. It is well crafted and perfectly balanced when standing upright. Possible mass produced but within the United States of America.
Weighs 1 pound and 7 ounces and stands 3" Tall
No cracks or chips and is in near perfect condition.

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