Marble ID?

[mootsman]

Reading the recent marble thread caused me to think about then ones I've picked up in streams and around old house sites. I've tossed a lot of them in an old mason jar and others are scattered here and there. These are the ones in the jar. Recently my wife picked up the clear one on a creek bank. The condition is so remarkable that I think it may be fairly new but there is some minor staining on it. It is crystal clear with little bubbles inside but it acts like a prism and will change colors as you move it around and it picks up all the colors near it like your shirt, tree leaves, the sky, etc. I tried to take a photo of it with neutral light but it looks goldish because of the brown wood it rests on.

I know zip about marbles so it may be nothing -- or maybe something from one of those Mr. T Starter Kits that some folks hang off their rear view mirrors. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

[bone2stone]

I see, in your collection, a variety of different types from a time before 1900 all the way through to modern times.
The Clay marbles sometimes were Painted and the Benningtons "the glazed ones" were both made from the late 1800's up until WWII.
The others are a mixture of pre WWII up until, I would say, recent.
The ones known as "cat's eyes" are fairly recent. Now if the swrill pattern does not make the familiar twist internally it may be one of the Pre/Post WWII types.
I also see some gaming marbles. Boys will be boys and sometimes removed the marbles from their families games such as "Chinese Checkers" and played with them.
They would make handy sling shot projectiles as well. So goes being a boy.
The value on these is minimal at best. Although they are highly collectable most collectors have all they want of all of them.
My friends and I have a dig where we find lots of them and sometimes put up a money prize pot on who finds the most. It does make it competitive and more interesting.
If at any time you find a marble that has a picture of "Buck Rodgers" on it, you could be looking at a considerable amount of return on your find.
There are others that have a value that far exceeds most peoples consideration but the Buck Rodgers is by far the most saught after.
I have yet to find one but I know they are out there somewhere.

BTW: Most of the clear ones were either gaming or a mfg pre-step in the making of fiberglass. You can find them along railroad tracks from time to time.
The isolated one is very recent and can be purchased at any decor/hobby house by the bag.

Hope this is helpful in your quest in know what you have there.
Bone2stone

[mootsman]

Thanks for taking the time for that response. I'm an ole phart and I had many cigar boxes full of marbles that we played with and traded in the 1950's and I wish I'd kept a few. Over the years I've developed a lot of knowledge about stoneware, glass, china, buttons and other items that we find but have just never taken any time to research marbles. You may have jump started me on doing some learning. Again, I appreciate your post.

[neralich]

Awesome marble collection!

One other possibility on the marble in question is that it may have came out of a spray paint can. I find 'em that look similar in old rusty spray paint cans.

I store some of my marbles in mason jars and it gives it a cool auntique room look.
I also use cheap black collector frames, one designed to hold zippo lighters and the other one is for rings. They make for some cool displays for marbles

[bone2stone]

Originally Posted by neralich

Awesome marble collection!

One other possibility on the marble in question is that it may have came out of a spray paint can. I find 'em that look similar in old rusty spray paint cans.

I store some of my marbles in mason jars and it gives it a cool auntique room look.
I also use cheap black collector frames, one designed to hold zippo lighters and the other one is for rings. They make for some cool displays for marbles

Attachment 66187 Attachment 66188

Question?
Are you digging these at a dump site?
Almost all of mine are dig finds.
I see a lot of very old ones mixed in with some relatively modern types "within 60 years or so".
I like marbles and have a lot that is not in the picture I posted before. The box full is just what I have on my computer at work.
Your display is quite impressive in that you made use of some relatively cheap cases. Seperating them make it easier to show off.
I just put mine in my "treasure box". I had them in a display case but my collection outgrew it.
I too have some of the old aqua jars filled and yes it does make for a unique display.
In my other post I failed to mention the "Tom Mix marble" it too commands a very admirable price tag.

The buttons are unusual I find them too Mother of pearl, glass and ceramic.
We find a lot of "beads" too glass and otherwise.

Bone2stone

[neralich]

Bone2stone, yessir,, about 80% of my marbles (and buttons) were found diggin' old dumps (my other passion) I don't know alot about marbles at all but I'm fascinated with them, hoard them and refuse to sell them. The other 20% of my personal find marbys I found in creeks and feilds.

My brother and a good freind of mine would go diggin' for bottles and we started noticing certain dumps produced 100's of marbles! We'd actually go diggin' just for marbles thereafter. We got struck with marble fever. Had the most success with 50's dumps. For whatever reason, I've noticed a pattern while searching for dump sites that produce marbys,,, Whenever we start seeing old leather boot/soles plus old lightbulbs, old battery cores and, of course,, any assortment of toys is a dead ringer that there will be marbys! Been fooled by the old x-mas lights a time or two

Anyways,,, here's some better pics and some other ones

Here is a handful of old spray paint marbys. Haven't cleaned the paint+rust deposits on 'em yet. I tried to get macro shots of the clear ones with air bubbles trapped inside (for mootsman) but no luck.



I even come across and save melted ones



My entire marble collection. All of the ones in the cases plus the first and third jars plus the loose ones are personal finds mostly by digging,,,the rest are hand me downs.



Close-ups.......






Here is my best personal find marby

[marksimerson]

Moots, The first one you pictured "MAY" be an Onionskin??? And Jason that last one is a good one!!

[Scotto]

Question - what are those clay like marbles worth? I guy in a local shop has some for sale, ugly, plain clay colored that he said are civil-war era, I think he gets $5 each which seems cheap.

[marksimerson]

Originally Posted by Scotto

Question - what are those clay like marbles worth? I guy in a local shop has some for sale, ugly, plain clay colored that he said are civil-war era, I think he gets $5 each which seems cheap.

$3-6 bucks. Benningtons.

[Scotto]

Thanks Mark.