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From Joe's --

Well, after digging through a bunch of stuff, I think Ron's idea that this mystery mib (the starter from the Champion thread) might be Alley might be right. Found 2 or 3 in L. E. Alley III's book that look "in character" with this, and then I found one on Joe's site that -- well -- I'll let you be the judge. As far as can be told in photos. Mine: thick opaque white ribbons in transparent green glass:

Found this on Joe's -- it's what I think of when I think of the "Miller" type (like the second from the right on your top row, Mike, and the Christmas Tree underneath it) --

Hi Mike, welcome back --

Yes yes. Only fair.

Having spent a good part of last night going through all of my Alleys, stray Alley cullet and rejects, and Lawrence III's book . . . I'm leaning Alley too.

Those were the ones I was feeling. As an excavation aside, Ron, have any of the Jolly Green Giants (or pieces of them) ever been found at an Alley site? Is that the reason for their attribution to Alley? Been drivin' me crazy . . . along with the volcano under Yellowstone and other assorted stuff . . . Back to Champions --

Yup, a WV feller I believe you know . . . How great to see so many Champions all at one time! Like Steph said, with other makers removed from the mix, it's easier to grasp some Champion commonalities. Some really nice marbles in there!

The old book on cats is still a good place to start -- especially helps to sort out different early Japanese types. Marlow Peterson & Larry Castle's Guide to Cat's-eye Marbles. Can still find it on Amazon every now and then.

Yep, south of the equator only, dagnabit.

I found a more striking view - - -

But neither one are very flamey, so . . .

And this one --

I could accept Alley. These were the Ravenswoods I have that seemed like they could be related --

In addition to feeling the heat in those pictures, I can hear the crickets and feel the bugs!

So sorry.

Heck. If we lived in the southern hemisphere, last night we couldda seen this, which apparently snuck up on everybody from behind the sun . . .

It's entirely possible. Plus, last night, I was checking the marble to be able to confirm to Edna that the white was indeed very opaque, and after putting new batteries in my loupe-with-a-LED, took a look with that for the first time. Was a little shocked to discover that what I had perceived as green and white ribbons were not that at all. The marble is very nearly filled -- packed -- with thick, white, opaque ribbons, all in a base of transparent green. It just so happens that the deeper layer of ribbons is at pretty much the same level, giving the appearance of a uniform green -- except where the "diving" shows a darker transparent green. In character it reminds me of some Ravenswood marbles I have. I forgot to check Alley's book. Dumb.

Wow! That's fantastic news! And for the Christmas Tree (great name) a happy end to a trek that started it out as Alley (sold to me as one, although I was skeptical), then was ID'd as Champion (not by me, not being a Champion scholar). Very, very happy to put it with my Ravenswoods, and move the Coral to Alley!

And then there are these two nice guys here, that I got from a feller around here somewhere . . .

Thanks, Edna -- it's the width of the green areas that bothers me . . . is that the main thing that makes you question it being Champion?

I like those Dink, what are they called?

Al, yours in the lower left looks pretty close -- Steph, at first I thought the green on yours was too variegated, but on staring at it a little I reconsidered -- it may just be a bit of clear glass imparting depth to the green. I do feel better about the Champion call, then . . . Here's another couple of mine I have pictures of --

I've picked up the occasional nice Champion, or marbles I just liked that were ID'd as Champion later by more knowledgeable folks, so I've wound up with a dozen or so -- not counting the Furnace Swirls, which I once pursued with some determination. So I don't have a really good handle on Champions in general. All this by way of saying I just got a pretty marble that the seller had ID'd as Champion, but I don't know whether that's right or not, not having a known Champion it resembles. And when I got it in hand it was nicer than I expected it to be, with unexpected depth. So what do you think? But after you tell me, maybe we could have a run of nice Champions to look at?

Chuck -- midle row, far right -- is that gray? Nice.