Ric

I think the smokey base is a variant of the "Ace" base, which is how I would categorize the non-glowing base of the marbles you show (of course, I am always open to correction). The glower is a little more unusual - I am not sure I would classify it as an "Ade" base though, since it doesn't have the color I would normally associate with that. And you are absolutely correct, the variation in Akro Corkscrews is endless! I'll see if I can locate that Alley and we'll see just how good (or bad) my memory is. lol

I certainly can't speak for all collectors - there are some people who collect "errors" but, in general, one of the first criteria for most collectors is roundness. After all, a lump of glass that doesn't roll smoothly is hardly a marble at all, since it's unable to perform its intended function, which is playing marble games, of course. Eye appeal and condition are also high on most collector's lists, as is rarity. Collector's are usually looking for the best examples they can find of a particular type of marble, although "best" is a term often subject to the eye of the beholder. I myself am often happy to just have a "good" example of a particular type, especially if it's rare, and I'll even keep a "bad" example if I can't find another. It really is dependent on the collector, their purpose or goal of collecting, and their tolerance for deviations from what they perceive as "ideal". I don't think this particular marble would check any boxes for 99.9% of marble collectors. But if you rustle up 10 gallons of them, which is pretty easily done, they can make for interesting landscaping material. My good friend Billy (RIP) had at least a hundred gallons from different companies in his "marble garden". Kids loved poking around in it, and I did too. 🙂

You're very close, Tommy, but #4 is the Heaton (Robin's Egg) and #6 is the Ravenswood - it's the smallest of the bunch and you will rarely see a white like that on Heatons. So, to recap: #1 and #3 are Alley, #2 is Champion, #4 is Heaton, #5 is Vacor, and #6 is Ravenswood.

Very cool - thanks for posting these, Stephen! Most are recognizable to me but there are some very interesting variations.

Thank you for continuing to post here, Aiko! Those tricolor ribbons and patches must have been popular with children - I think are very attractive. Do you know if or when production of these marbles stopped?

This marble appears to be a dug reject, and the pattern does not not look like it was supposed to. Because of that, these types can be hard to ID, but I will go waaay out on a limb and guess that it's a mangled Akro corkscrew. And while a proper ID might be of interest to some folks, it will likely not change its collectible value, regardless.

I wouldn't doubt it, they often travel together.

#1 is my favorite from the group. The smoky base is nice - a little different. The colors remind me of one of my favorite Alleys. Do you think it qualifies as a Special? In other words, do you think the off-white is a separate color, or do you think that stripe is normal white slightly submerged in that smoky base? Either way, it's a cool marble!

If it's big, I would guess that it is a JABO Classic made in Reno Ohio sometime between 1992-2007.

Hint No. 6 - none are Alox. 🙂 So @Tommy we have #1 Alley (Blue Sky) and #5 Vacor (Tidal Wave). Champion, Heaton, Ravenswood, and one duplicate have yet to be assigned.

I have seen a few JABO corkscrews fool well-seasoned Akro collectors. Ron had one that was unbelievable! Just don't be too surprised if you see JABOs with a lazy or better corkscrew pattern.

Are you familiar with Jorkscrews? 🙂

I can guarantee I've never seen a pearlized patch on black - if I had, I would certainly remember it! And I don't think I have ever seen a Pearlized Patch in original packaging either.

Welcome to the Marble Connection! You have come to the right place. There are many years of marble experience here. The best way to start off might be to show us a few of your favorites or if you're interested in trying to identify some, just post a few different views of the one's you're most interested in over in the "Marble ID's" section. Otherwise, just peruse the the threads and photos and ask any questions that might come to mind - there are plenty of people here who love to talk marbles and are more than willing to help you out. I'm digging the old beverage dispenser!

And here are some Tie Dyes for comparison . . . Sorry for all the reflections - I hurried.

As I said earlier, she was as sweet as they come. And she had collected marbles forever. Her son, who was about 60 years old at the time, told me he remembered getting dragged around hunting for marbles with her when he was kid! Here's a little box of trinkets, exactly as I found it in her collection - it's one of my favorite things. The wee German is 7/16". And at the risk of sounding sappy, I will say that I am at a stage of marble collecting and life where I have come to the realization that, while I definitely love marbles, what I cherish the most are the experiences I have had and the friends and memories I have made because of them. 🙂

Seems pretty obvious from my vantage point. Those are nice marbles, Jess. The lashes on the last two are awesome!

That's what I'm talking about - thanks for the insight, TJ!

That's a beauty, Art - I really like the base glass!

Okay . . . it's Tie Dyes (1999) - these just don't have as much yellow as most.

I'm pretty sure those are JABO Classics - I think they have a name but it's not coming to me at the moment. I seem to recall boxed sets that somebody (Walt McGee?) put together with those. Give me a while . . .maybe the senior moment will pass. lol

I had actually met her at a local antique mall a few times before she passed - she had a show case. She was a very sweet older woman. The first time we met I mentioned marbles to her and she pulled a few out of her purse and we talked about them. After that, I always made sure to have a few marbles in my pocket when I went to that shop, just in case I ran into her. Eventually, we exchanged contact info and talked about getting together to look at one another's collections. Unfortunately, the first call I got came from her son about a month after she passed away. He had found a note with my contact info in one of her marble drawers .

The thought definitely crossed my mind, Art. Especially after seeing a couple of marbles that @Joe2 posted recently . . . But I'm sticking with MK . . . for now.

You got it, Art - a Tidal Wave!

Very nice wee ones, Jess. Long ago I bought a woman's large collection after she passed away. She had lot's of marbles like those - pinks, purples and pastels galore, on machine made marbles too. To this day, I have never seen another more feminine collection. I said to her son, "Your Mother must have been a girly girl". He responded, "In every way . . . you don't collect buttons or lace do you?"