Royal3

Sounds like it a contract “hit” lol - I’m sure one of Santa’s helpers has a tag somewhere.

Really well done, Stephen, thanks for sharing your extensive collection and knowledge. I just love those Guacamayas - and about 50 others, natch.

Andre is looking pretty good for a ghost 😆 That’s one fine Bee! Sweet MM too - is that a Liberty?

I just started my own letter to Santa Claus after that one! 😍

I’d say it’s highly likely from anecdotal evidence and the absence of other strong candidates.

Great work on saving all this history, Chuck. The contrast in the two cullet checks is interesting - the MK cullet is a penny a pound, pretty typical I think. The one to Bogard Cullet Co. is a lot of cash.

I wish I may, I wish I might... - a 7/8” turquoise German “9” slag with oxblood & egg yolk - a 7/8” black clambroth with sharp white pinstripes - a four-color lightning strike (red/green, blue/yellow) - just one drop-dead gorgeous Joseph’s coat and banded opaque (B.Bee, we might have to talk - I have a purple & yellow Canadian trans 😉)

Member wvrons club keeps an excellent listing of the nation’s marble shows @ http://westvirginiamarblecollectorsclub.com/news/

That’s just a fabulous handmade, and a nice size, too. I wonder if there’s a whole solitaire board of those out there (he says hopefully😉?)

I’m sorry I missed those, Galen, when I saw Lee’s collection - he’s got an amazing one. I bet those old German craftsmen didn’t waste much glass. I doubt those ‘fuseballs’ made it out into the field but probably stayed in the family. Most I’ve seen don’t have much if any play wear.

OK, I’m ignorant here - Canadian Mushroom marble?? Are they at all related to the Canadian transitionals? Is this purple/yellow a typical example?

Seems to be a two color swirl where the brown overlaid the blue in places making it look like three colors, but it’s difficult to tell definitively from your pictures. Fairly common combination for CAC, but they only produced marbles for about eight years. It looks mint, and if so I’d definitely keep that beauty.

LOL I’ll second that reaction! What a beauty! That oxblood is so rich on that white.

🤯 Only Hansel can come up with stuff like that! ☺️

I agree - I find these oddballs fascinating, as do many other collectors. This one is especially interesting.

I’m just curious - faceted pontil?

I'm sorry to report that Robert "Brian" Merhar from Hudson, Wisconsin, a longtime collector, passed away suddenly on December 10, 2018. Brian was one of the driving forces behind the JABO Ace run that I was a partner in on October 10, 2008 and I got to know him reasonably well during that entire process. He was one of a kind. My thoughts go out to his family. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/twincities/obituary.aspx?pid=190979965

Thanks for the primer on the process, Alan, I wondered how he made them. They are cute little things, aren't they?

My condolences to all of his loved ones. I had just learned of his passing from a friend - such a shame, he was a gem.

I agree, Steph, based on the photos provided, I think it’s a generous offer.

Marian, Moon Marbles it is, one of the happiest places on Earth for kids of all ages. The owner is a great fellow by the name of Bruce Breslow, and every year on the first weekend in March he hosts his Marble Crazy event. https://www.moonmarble.com/t2-annualevents.aspx And, conveniently, that same week the Kansas City marble show takes place: https://marbleconnection.com/topic/24134-kansas-city-marble-show-march-3-2019/ Scott McBride and company put on a great show. I guarantee if you go you’ll have a both a fine time AND be able to learn more about marbles in a couple of good days there than you’ll pick up from pictures. Go early to the host hotel, visit some of the exhibitors in their rooms, ask questions, and you’ll be amazed at what you see. I’m typing this now at the Canton, Ohio Show, and the halls of the Holiday Inn are filled with happy marble people doing just that!

That’s a fine feat, and a fantastic find. Thanks to all of you folks for this thread.

Welcome back, Dave, and thanks for your fascinating post. I’m really looking forward to seeing more of your collection. - Royal

Steph you’re most likely right, I just wasn’t thinking about a cat (other than my rambunctious tabby who was on my lap at the time, hounding me for his nightly treats 🐱! ) It does have that look.

You’re welcome!