Royal3

Yep, now that I look at a on a monitor instead of a mobile device, you guys have it nailed, as always. I wonder if the seller has a torch in his basement or garage...

I agree Jerry - the transparent base and color combo is striking. Any but the drab moderns in these are really hard to find

I’m aware of one possibility - this was a “Czech guinea” that came up at one of Bob Block’s auctions over ten years ago (8/07.) It’s a rotten image, sorry... This was Bob’s description of the marble and its provenance: “The core is essentially Guinea flakes packed together forming a corkscrew. About a dozen of these showed up at a mineral show in Connecticut about 20 years ago, with a Czech dealer. I bought four, not knowing what they were. Kevin Stump bought the rest (and I have been kicking myself ever since). The dealer said he bought them in Czechoslovakia in the 1950s. These are exceptionally rare, I am not aware of any of these being auctioned off before. Czechoslovakia, circa 1920-1930. 19/32". Mint (9.9).” Here’s a link to the auction: http://www.icollector.com/BB-Marbles-Rare-Czech-1920s-Marble_i7157026 If Bob has found any more info on these oddities in the last 10+ years maybe he’ll post it here.

At least the seller offers returns, Greg, and states that “Virtually all are in EXCELLENT + condition and show no apparent usage or damage unless so noted.” The patterns don’t blow my socks off, but so far the price looks right.

“I have no idea what it is, so I’m going to stick it up there, call it a CAC and slap a $500 BIN on it.” I think that’s called chutzpah. Or brass something. As to what it is - maybe an odd Euro?

Yeah, the seam looks a a little hinky like a Master, but the colors are just dead on Akro. Could well be Master, though.

It's an Akro, one of their classic and common color combos - not sure if it has a name - Cub Scout colors though.

Steph I love your 2016 resolution - I once told someone I never met a cheesecake I didn't like, and that's (unfortunately) still true! i WILL lose that final 25 pounds this year...yeah, right lol. Happy, Healthy New Year to all!

It looks more just rust brown to me, oxblood is a bit redder in color. Compare this one to the marbles in the oxblood posts.

I just have to say "WOW" at these posts...great marbles, folks!

It’s a tweener for sure - I’m in the Vitro camp (60%) but it might be Akro (30%) and maybe MK (10%)

A nice one, too.

Must haves? That’s an especially tough and relevant question for me. I’m in the process selling off the vast majority of my collection and I’m trying to figure out what I want to keep - what marbles make me the happiest when I look at them. I’m still undecided on many after pondering that question for a long time, but I know the answer on this one, a really unusual faceted pontil 7/8” onion - it stays forever, as I never get tired of looking at it: As for advice for a beginner? I have never regretted buying any mint marble for a fair (or reasonably fair) price that I loved. I did buy far too many near mint examples that were darn lovely but just took up far too much space and far too much money. The advice given here by experts and more experienced collectors than I to buy the best examples you can find and afford is very wise indeed. Your collection will grow more slowly than by acquiring lots of lower cost lower quality marbles, but in the long run you’ll have a collection that you’ll be much happier with and one you’ll be proud to show off. Last thoughts - every manufacturer has what I think of as “keystone” items, marbles that are always in high demand. In Akro I think of 3/4” egg yolk oxblood. In CAC it’s the guinea. Vitro? A four-color parrot. Those items I’m not sure are still “must haves” - though I must admit I owned all three at one time - but they are at least pretty safe to own as they are very easy to sell.

I’d second that. That pretty much nails them down (isn’t #8 a Vitro too?) but what the heck is #18? Akro? Vitro?

Good on ya, Scott! That video on the VFW tournaments is special, particularly the champ’s story.

Beautiful, Mikie, thanks. You’re a tough act to follow, my friend, I’ll just go with an old favorite of mine... “But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight‍—‌ Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.” Thanks to everyone here for always making this a fun and interesting place to stop in. A special thanks to Steph for her incredible efforts on our behalf - no one has done it better.

(I’m looking for a clapping emoji)

And those grapes stink - sellers like that should be booted from eBay. Maybe he’s telling the truth about his hardships and maybe he isn’t and good luck to him regardless, but bottom line is he posted a sales price on an item and someone bought it in good faith - he should honor that purchase. Also the statement by him (below) of noticing his “error” just as the item sold just doesn’t jive with his explanation of also getting several offers. He didn’t tumble to his “error” UNTIL he got those offers - if it’s caveat emptor on the buy side, well, it’s caveat venditor on the sell side, too. What marble seller hasn’t taken it on the chin on an auction - or several? You win some, you lose a lot lol. I’d report this to eBay if you haven’t already. Greedy liars like this help give legitimate marble sellers a bad name. I was about to change the price but the purchase went through within moments of my noticing it

Regardless of the surface texture, and I can’t explain how that formed, but the look of glass and the construction just screams Akro, not Euro to me. Mighty cool marble.

I exchanged emails with him as late as the end of this past October, so if you heard domething prior to that Steph it may have arisen from an obituary in the Indianapolis paper in October 2016. Same spelling and latitude (our Bill lives in Des Moines) but a different guy.

I’d be happy, too, winnie, that’s a beaut - great pattern and color, too.

I agree, Steph - some of the Popeye patches happened as the cork spinner cup just stopped. I used to own a set of five same run 3/4” red, green and yellow Popeyes that each corked a little less. The last was indeed a patch. When I sold the set the fellow who bought it did not want the patch at any price, despite my repeated efforts to keep the set - all mint - intact. It just blew my mind. I should have kept them all - I still kick myself.

Where’s the ‘standing ovation’ emoji?

Mesmerizing - and there’s something zen-like about it. What an imagination!