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J.H. Leighton’s 1891 patent for the manufacture of solid glass spheres marks a major step forward in early American handmade marble production.  His process began by hand gathering molten glass on the end of a steel rod, carefully building up the amount needed for a single marble. While still hot and workable, the glass was rotated within a grooved former, shaping it into a near perfect sphere while remaining attached to the rod. After the marble was formed, it was cut from the rod, leaving a small rough projection where the glass had been severed. Rather than leaving this as a simple cut mark, Leighton refined the surface through a controlled finishing process. The marble was exposed to a concentrated flame, softening the uneven area without disturbing the rest of the sphere. Once properly heated, Leighton applied a specialized concave tool similar in appearance to a small golf tee to the softened spot with light pressure. This action pushed the remaining glass back into the body of the marble, smoothing and blending it into the surrounding surface. The result is the distinctive “melted” or “pressed” pontil, a defining characteristic of Leighton’s work and an important innovation in the evolution of American handmade glass marbles.7 points
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Thank you, Tommy. Another note: That packaging was a second generation. The first generation (2003) had the trimmed bag top up inside the header. The marbles were trapped (not removable). I decided to invert the bag so the zip-lock was at the bottom. That allowed the marbles to be removed for enjoyment.5 points
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Oh I really like this one. So glad for all the close up shots too! Wonderful collection and great video you put together. Thank you! Click on the link to You Tube Worlds Largest Marble King Collection - Curated by George Armann The sound effects and background music is always a plus. You are a funny one Stephen, I'm a big fan. Thanks!4 points
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Today I received a letter from Maxx's father, who turned 93 years old this January. The letter was written by his wife. I am withholding his name for privacy. "Maxx's father was a seminary student preparing for the ministry around 1956 or 1957 when the company went bankruptcy. The cause was a trusted employee who took all the company funds and disappeared. This was something I heard from my mother-in-law many years later. After the bankruptcy Naoyuki spent his remaining years battling illness. He attended our church wedding in October 1963 in a wheelchair. 2 years later on the morning of 13 October 1966, he told his wife 'Smile, smile. Heaven is here,' and passed away that night at 10 p.m., surrounded by family."4 points
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I really do see what you're getting at. These which you are showing today are nicely constructed. Wish I could be more helpful. Signed, Here for moral support4 points
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I received a group of destroyers from my mother-in-law in the early 2000s. This is what started my collecting Marbles. I still have them, but they are packed away.3 points
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Yes I have bought the few marble mansion made sets I have come across and they are in my collection.3 points
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Thank you for sharing Nickel Guy! It was fun filming it!3 points
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@shiroaiko We are all hoping that you may be able to share photos of family marbles after a successful meeting.3 points
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After I came to know @MaxxNaoyukiYamasaki on this thread, I started to search for the Seike family through church connections. I contacted Nippon Sei Kou Kai (The Anglican Church in Japan) and St. John Church Osaka. Through exchanges by emails, letters and phones, I finally got in touch with Tokiko, the youngest daughter of Naoyuki, a couple of weeks ago on the phone. I will see her on 20 April for the first time, visiting her in Takarazuka, Hyogo. The good news for us is she has kept her father's marbles. She also mentioned, as the youngest in the family, she doesn't know much about her father's business, but she is willing to share the family's story.3 points
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I am aware of some old handmade styles which could be deemed confetti. But almost any confetti you would run across in the wild would be a modern marble.3 points
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Thanks all for your help and input! I have read that JABO used an old Vitro machine for some of their runs, resulting in 2 seam marbles that can resemble Vitros. So maybe that is the case here. But the majority leans Vitro, so I'll put it with my Vitros. I like it no matter who made it! It was a killer find.3 points
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