Ric

Cool, Al. Thanks for showing it. It looks like the marbles are different than those in my box. I'd guess Cairo on a bunch of yours. But is that a brushed patch upper right? If we have original marbles, it would seem they packaged a variety of makers in these boxes.

This one's Buddy's now . . . And this one went to Junior . . . They're both big ones.

Thanks a lot for the input, Don. I figured you might have some thoughts about these boxes and was hoping you'd comment. The bottom flap of the box reads, "NORLAND MFG. CORP., BROOKLYN 21, N.Y." and the top flap reads, "PLAY PACKAGE NO. 1445, Made In U.S.A.", so maybe not a department store? And here are a few closer photos. Dave, the first marbles you refer to are clear based with reddish-brown and VERY light blue/lavendar (nearly white) swirled in and on (They are quite different from the one you noted in the Champion bag I posted elsewhere). The ones in the top row of the first pic are "lady"-colored swirls on a green-blue transparent base, some have more clear (are lighter) than others. The ones in the middle row are clear-based with a little blue mixed in with white striping. The two below are blue and sea-foam green based with that distinctive "lady"-color swirling.

Here's another bag I looked for a long time before finding recently . . .

I think Norland may have been a department store or something . . . I'm pretty sure the marbles are Alley.

Here's a box I hunted for a very long time . . . pretty HTF, based on my experience. I sure would like to see more examples, so please show 'em if you got 'em. Thanks.

The framing came out great, Ron. They're really nice.

WOW! I have seen a lot of Cat's Eyes with aventurine but never anything like that. Very cool, Winnie.

There usually is. I think it will be the 7th (sat) this year. Of course, people usually show up a day or two earlier for room trading, etc.

That's a good way to start, we all love to look at marbles. You might also give us your approximate location and maybe we could refer you to a local collector or a show where you might find assistance.

You saving that one for me, Bill? I'll be there tomorrow . . . and I've got just the wee to go with that big Copperhead too . . .

I see a drab gray-looking base - no glow.

Nice big one, Roger. I'd never seen the salmon on a white base before I found this one. Yeah, where is RAR when you need him? lol Here are a few variations on one of my favorite Pelt themes . . .

Nice marbles, Roger. The big one reminds me of this one, which I thought was Akro . . .

Me too, Clyde . . . just never seen it on a white base. Ruby Slippers in the center?

. . . just a flashlight. I've never seen this salmon color on a plain old white 'bo . . .anyone else?

Nice marble, Duffy - great size too.

Sorta opalescent . . .

That's cool, Scott. It sounds really interesting. I wish I could make it. Maybe you could post the story and some pics here after the debut in KC. I sure would appreciate it. P.S. I would also appreciate it if you would use a bigger font . . . it's really teeny on my screen.

I think it might be a JABO. I saw a similar one in a well known collector's keeper cork case. His had two colors. He put it there on purpose to see if people could pick it out. Truth is, I saw authentic Akros in that case that looked less Akro than that JABO. They might be one in a million or even more rare, but they are out there, and I think this might be one of them.

Wow Edna, those are some great contemporaries . . . the Gong is ethereal. Here are a couple of more Vitros . . . one of my favorite types.

The first ones I posted were Vitro and so are these . . . This seems to have been a pretty common color combination for Vitro.

Just for you, Winnie . . .

That's cool, Edna. It looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for showing the pics.

I've looked at marbles under real optical microscopes before too and it really can be a little scary. Basically, I decided I didn't care for it . . . too depressing. But it's an old-time marble collector who told me, for collecting purposes, "if you can't see it with your own vision, it may as well not be there", and I agree. Psssstt . . . Hey, check out this marble . . . it's awesome . . . just let me get the AFM tuned in. lol