FWIW... maybe it's a difference in demographics, but we have seen no interest in the jabos at our shows. There was a couple people having them for sale, but I saw no one buying them. In fact the feedback we got was collectors were frustrated of the influx of so many. And dismay from several newer collectors on buying something they thought was old at an over inflated price. We had several new collectors at the Seattle show a couple weeks back, and they didn't want jabos, they wanted old. and a couple even asked for help in buying so as to not buy something mis-represented.Do some of them look like mimics? We got a marble from marble Alan that was a jabo sold as an alley. It fooled him!
and I don't think anyone should be an Einstein to be able to collect marbles. It shouldn't be rocket science.
In a historical view, what has the production of so many mimics done to the hobby? We have seen it divide people, collectors and generate ill will in many cases.
There really isn't any historical significance in making a 'made for collectible' collectible. Look at the beenie babies, and look at what they're worth now.
in the beginning of the runs, I believe that people enjoyed seeing how a marble was made, having a hand in it was fun and educational to them. The jabos were a larger size, and unmistakable as to what they were. and yeah, people grabbed them because they were 'pretty', and they were very pretty. But this has taken a turn...
and why do many of the people that now sell these on ebay have them listed in the vintage categories? and know full well they are not vintage.
a few years back we posted about getting duped on an akro looking oxblood, and got slammed by a few on this board. that was before the newer mimics folks. when all we wanted to do was educate. fact is, after speaking directly with one of the original makers about this marble, we also found out that bottles of them were sent to a couple different auction houses and auctioned off, infiltrating old right from the get-go. motivation? making a buck.
this is only our opinion, some can agree, other disagree. it is what it is.
Ernie & Dani