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There is no such thing as Akro "same run". "Same run" has become a whimsical corruption of "same cane" from handmades. Seemingly to denote rarity and collectability. Akro ran standard dedicated production to a well-known palette of color combinations and types (corkscrews, patches etc). They filled orders taken by salesmen ordered on standardized product sheets by retailers. Changing glass in an otherwise well-running pot was unnecessary until the pot lining degraded and began mixing with the glass. So one machine could and did put out a popular type and color combination for many months - again, until the pot degraded. The entire idea of vintage marble production was to find a successful design and then produce it as cheaply as possible (very small fractions (~1/20th) of one cent each) as fast as possible 24 hours a day. Then, in Akro's case, ship 2-3 train boxcar loads twice each week. Get that machine producing an exact design and color combo and make many hundreds of thousands of them - cheap. Then rebuild the pot, lather, repeat. Sameness and consistency was the goal for each machine and operator. The Akro Agate production floor was quite large and sustained quite a few machines, not just a few. We know this because of statements made by Akro employees and proven by the layout of water drains on the production floor slab that went from the machines via a french drain system to the waste outflow. (Marbles were found in some of the french drains, including some weird oxbloods). I think that the "same run" idea was born of Facebook denizens who have not studied vintage machine made production and have dragged a factual handmade name to a romanticized mass-production idea that isn't supported by fact. Vintage machine made manufacturing was very rarely experimental. At 1/20th to 1/30th of a cent each, a manufacturer cannot afford much experimentation. The same is true of filling retailer orders. If you ship me marbles that look much different than what the salesman showed me in the (very consistent) Sample Case, then I'll tell you to take them back.4 points
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Went to the YMCA pool today, ( like I do every day ) same guy I bought from last week brought a small box today and I bought them. There are some nice ones in the bunch. I washed them and sorted them and they are safe and sound but they'll be getting a further review real soon and relocated with their like kinds. I feel I paid a fair price both last week and today. In this box I pulled out an early 1900's Zack Wheat Brooklyn Dodger Baseball pin in very nice condition and gave it back to him. It was worth more than I paid for all the marbles but I like sleeping with a good clean conscience at night. He was thrilled with the button. Hope he finds more marbles for me. Got em like this They look like this now.4 points
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Most vintage marble manufacturers had product lines. Those product lines were documented in sales brochures for retailers to order from. They were also represented in Salesman's Boxes that were used for retailers to see and order from. Retailers knew what sold and what they wanted to offer buyers. Manufacturer production aligned with orders (mostly). Jabo and SMM didn't run that way. Lets focus on Jabo investor runs, since they are what you likely have most of. Investor runs. Those run participants decided what dollar amount they wanted to spend on glass and in most cases, what "experiments" they wanted to do (usually more costly glass additives). Of all conversations I have had, I don't know of investor run intentions of producing marbles of a specific appearance, although goals of oxblood, transparent colors etc existed and glass was ordered by Dave M. to that preference. Keep in mind that dialing in the glass pot to specific intended colors at the rollers is a tricky thing subject to several variables, weather and glass pot age and condition not being the least of them. Dave M was a skilled and experienced guy to make those adjustments based on what he was seeing. I consider variation in an investor run to be the norm. I've never heard it said that they wanted or expected to get consistency in the multi-day run. Variation was a plus. I'll note that there is a term that was used at the time of Jabo investor production known as a "tank wash". While the concept is real in the business, the reason for its use in investor run really has nothing to do with clearing a glass pot for a new batch. Shifting: Jabo "Classics" (5/8") pre-dated investor runs IIRC. See this link for more on the valued work that Michael Warnelis did for the hobby piecing together like Classics into incredible and well-priced Jabo Classics boxes. Thank you Mike. https://marbleconnection.com/topic/23863-michael-warnelis/ Jabo investor runs represented a first opportunity for collectors to have a hand in making marble towards their appearance goals. I'll defer to others that may want to post details on SMM. I say: "Collect what you like". I wouldn't think too much about whether marbles from a 24-hour run are consistent. They won't be. But the variation is their strength, not their weakness. It may make us research more, look at the glass more closely and think about the diversity. Those are good things.4 points
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I collected coins for 45 years or so. Just hung it up and these keepers are locked in a safe. My last active venture was chasing ancients. Most are silver Greek and Roman coins and a Shipwreck 8 Reale coin. I know what they are but the info is on a spreadsheet. Just eye candy for you I hope. Here's a collage of what I have in that dept.4 points
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Wow lovely group is the the black and white 8 finger opaque because that's a killer.3 points
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Thanks Art ! I do have to say in terms of you being the new Moniter I just don't get it. You've managed to rip every thread apart, chased off 100's of Newbies as well as the majority of the Established Collectors. Why🔥 RAR3 points
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Sorry ya'll, but I just have too much going on this season to participate. Had fun the couple of times I did in the past though. I am in the Christmas spirit, however, and have been wanting to downsize my marble collection. My hope was I could identify a new but eager collector and give them a smokin' deal on a vintage marble starter kit. If anyone knows someone who would be truly blessed by common but minty vintage mibs, let me know. I know how it stinks to be constantly outbid by the deep pockets out there, so I'd like to game the system and get a new collector a head start.3 points
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This is great. I'll drawer patriates names out of the hat and get everyone set tomorrow when I'm off work🔥 RAR3 points
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There is little room for embarrassment here my friends. Fire will not put up with It—ever. Give what you have and enjoy some “Camaraderie”. New friends, in this weird field of collecting marbles is always a good thing. This place is safe and we all try to keep it that way. @bumblebee @Chad G. and I @akroorka will give our best always to keep the riff-raff out. Contribute to the post and be rewarded--sometimes post's, some times a little money helps too. I just remembered my lack of investment here, I usually invest in June--oh well here goes. It was a ruff year pain--wise--here we go! This is not a cheap operation. Marble—On!!3 points
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I think you have some super marbles but I have a suggestion. Please crop them. If I want to get a closer look my slow satelite internet takes forever to open up each image in a new tab. I imagine your images are giant in file size too. So I really don't mess with looking for a bigger size. I will make an exception here though and work up a picture of yours to show what I mean.3 points
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I think maybe an Alley...cool marble 👍😎3 points
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This is why I only buy marbles on eBay (which is Very Limited) that I’ve seen on this site or AAM which have been successfully identified. Once they have been ID I go to the sellers website and watch them. Its collectors insurance and also a good way to buy and support fellow members.3 points
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Clearie. Sleeping devil is a fake name mostly used in eBay scams.3 points
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Pull out the cats eyes, clearies and solid colored game pieces and set those aside. Most if not all of those aren’t collectible. Then Sort by similar patterns and colors. Group those together in small lots and post pictures here for ID.3 points
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