Ric

Hello Jay, Rest assured, Duffy has seen plenty of hand-ground agates and provided as sound of advice as you'll likely get anywhere. No doubt, there is a market for these marbles. There are currently several examples on EBay that you could watch to get an idea of market values. In fact, the reputable marble seller that Ruth referred to has an exceptional example listed here. My recommendation would be to heed the advice you've been given. Regards, -Ric

Just a seam, Rich. Here's another pic . . .

No doubt, some of the classics can be really nice!

21/32", translucent blue base with six ribbons comprised of horsehair oxblood.

Have you given Cairo any thought?

Thanks Steph, I did fail to mention those in my last post.

T.E. types 1, 2 & 3 all have clear glass bases. The only ones I showed here that don't are the Baby Parrot in post 5 and the Type 4s in post 10.

You're right, Steph. But the white ribbons on Type 4s are supposed to be veneered over a lesser quality white base glass. I don't think newer All Reds are constructed that way - just two patches on a white base, no separately applied white ribbons, which makes these kinds considerably tougher for me to put my finger on (without a hammer). And it seems to me that when Vitro started to cut costs even more, one of the first things to go would have been those separately-applied white ribbons. So while I think most of these would qualify as Type 4s, if anyone knows a good way to distinguish the Type 4s from the newer All Red style patches (with no red), I sure would like to learn about it.

Here's a selection of Type 3s. The lower left has aventurine. A couple have additional color. Can you tell that re-reading Chuck's article has inspired me to take a closer look at my TEs, which were all together in a big jar until last night? lol

Crazy cool photo!

Here are a few Type 2s. I think some folks refer to the two up front as Pastels (maybe Easter Eggs?). The base on those is not transparent - it's translucent with a bit of opalescence, so they don't really fit the classic definition of a Type 2 Tiger Eye but, otherwise, they're pretty close. PS. I AM NO VITRO EXPERT SO I HOPE THE EXPERTS WILL CORRECT ME IF I ERR IN ANY OF MY POSTS!

Here are a couple of fancy five-colors with a Baby Parrot in the middle - just for fun . . .

Here are a few more Type 1s with both equatorial ribbons the same color. . .

Here's a variety of Type 1 Tiger Eyes with a few oddballs: 2nd marble row 1, purple top patch with 2 yellow ribbons; 5th marble row 1 and 6th marble row 2, lavender top patches; 6th marble row 1, two white patches.

Thanks Burt, just wondering because it looks green in the pics and that would be something you'd want to mention in a listing for sure. I'll be interested to hear what those in the know have to say about this one.

What about the "clear" glass that the core is inside of, Burt. Is it green?

Nice marble, Burt. I don't think I'm seeing lobes but I don't know these at all. If there are lobes, how many do you see? And is the core cased in green glass?

Wow! Now there's some glitz! Very cool, Dani. Here are some commons . . .

Wow . . . that really is cool. Here's a few more from FMG&SP . . .

Cool Swirls! Here's a coral . . .

Cool, Ryan - it looks YUMMY!

Nice one, Steve - those are real cool!

Hi Folks, I just visited the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park near Grand Rapids, Michigan, earlier today to take in a special exhibit by glass artist Dale Chihuly. It was a beautiful morning for viewing the exhibition called "A New Eden" - a wonderful melding of nature, flowers, sculpture and glass in absolutely gorgeous gardens. I highly recommend it. Here are a few pictures. I hope you enjoy. -Ric