Champion Agate Co.
By
There are times when you have it all wrong and need to admit it. I’ve had this
impression for the longest time that Champion was second string. Hardly! Not
only have they been around since 1938 and although having sporadically been down
for the count like a real champ, they’re still in contention while almost all
the other contenders have fallen by the wayside. That’s right Akro, Christensen,
Peltier, etc. come and gone. Champion is still here! You’ve got to credit a
marble outfit with heart that continues to operate out of what for all
appearances is a Quonset hut (photo 1). I should also admit to mixing my sports
metaphors.
Photo 1:
My introduction to Champion was my first marble purchase through the mail in
1989. Ol Charlie Stutsman sent me multiple sets of these 27 gorgeous swirls,
slags, and squirmies (photo 2). Charlie had conjured numerous names for
marketing purposes. Lo and behold, it turns out that this crop of pretties were
created by none other than Dave McCullough, plant manager, in the mid-1980s
during a stint with Champion. McCullough would defer to divine intervention but
they all truly have his mark on them and were an attempt to duplicate earlier
Ravenswood marbles.
Photo 2:
Its probably too much to provide all 27 names/identifications of these New Old
Fashions. They are decidedly worthy! Also to chronicle the darn near impossible
number of Champion marble productions, locations, and times of activity (or
inactivity) is beyond space requirements and my limited knowledge. But extolling
the virtues of these marbles is a pleasure. Still, here's a taste of what's in
Photo Two: #1 Pumpkin; #5 Red Cloud; #10 Honey Bee Slag; #13 Caligraphy Squirmie;
#16 Bruiser Slag; #20 Gypsy Slag
I have another premiere put-together selection of actual Champion Old Fashions I
know you'll enjoy for identification purposes (photo3).. These are attributable
to an earlier Champion period, late 60s/early 70s. Im not 100% sure or even 50%
sure. Help! Of course, do we ever completely know for sure what we have when we
are marble collectors?
Photo 3:
I am authoritatively informed that the four marbles in photo 4 came from a
1946-47 run. They are my only oldest Champion marbles.
Photo 4:
One of my more intriguing Champion finds I picked up at Amana three years ago
(photo 5). They were in a small zip lock bag and included the following typed
note: I received these whirlwinds from Dennis Webb on 3-31-84. They were made
for the House of Marbles in London, England by Champion Agate Co. and will not
be sold in this country. They are modern remakes of the older marbles they
resemble. They are smaller, ranging from to 9/16. Anyone who wants to tell me
anything else about them, please do. Or if youd like a complete list of the
names/descriptions for the 27 New Old Fashions, leave a response in the thread
or e-mail Pinx.
Photo 5:
These days it seems like any run of Champions marbles that get out into the
collectors market (like gifts to the
Photo 6:
Photo 7:
The marbles in photo 8 are in a box that I made for my collection. I believe
these 5/8 marbles were named Stormy Weather by Charlie Stutsman. I cant provide
any particulars on the 9/16 one in the other box (photo 9). Both boxes look like
something Dave McCullough had a hand in.
Photo 8:
Photo 9:
I talked to Dave McCullough of Jabo this morning, and he cant recall if these
beautiful 9/16 Ruby Reds (photo 10) were made subsequent to or prior to his 1984
accidental discovery of a good ruby glass formula. This is a story in itself
which is detailed in Mike Johnsons books to come out in Spring 2006.
Photo 10: