IowaMarble

Good luck with your show, Grant!

Agreed, Galen.

Anyone have information on or a different variation of these bags? The Lucky Boy bags are pretty similar. What say you?

The hotel tells me that we are at 82 rooms as of noon today...

Steph - I am so very sorry to hear this. You will be in my thoughts. Chad

The Des Moines Marble Show will be here in just two short weeks! In-room buying, selling and trading starts on Tuesday, May 31st and the marble show is on Saturday, June 4th from 9:00AM to 3:00PM. Be sure to make your room reservation soon as we generally sell out the room block the week before. Once they sell out - they are truly sold out. We are expecting over 100 rooms this year! Please consider joining us this year for the largest and longest running marble show in the Country! We hope to see you there! Visit our new website at www.IowaMarbleClub.com.

Just thought I'd make the offer.

I can't wait to see what Brian can do with this machine! Hey Brian... need any Peltier cullet to play with?

Thanks Sami! We should catch up soon!

Last fall, I was offered a rare opportunity by the Mayor of Ottawa to take a guided tour of the Peltier factory and grounds. As I walked through the factory, I tried my absolute best to take it all in – after all, I knew this would likely be the last time I would ever step foot in the factory. As I meandered from room to room, I eventually made it to one of the oldest areas of the building – the chambers where they stored the glass cullet and soda ash. I just couldn’t help myself so I stuck my head into each dark chamber to see what I could learn about their processes. I could tell that the chambers had been modified throughout the years mostly on the methods used to receive the cullet and ash deliveries from their suppliers. During my inspection, I was fortunate enough to notice this lonely shovel tucked safely away in the corner of the very dark soda ash chamber. I asked the Mayor if he would mind if I took it as a memento of sorts. The Mayor gave his permission so I quickly picked it up and immediately noticed the worn hand marks on the handle from a lifetime of usage – most likely from shoveling soda ash and recycled cullet from the adjacent chambers. The shovel now stands very proudly in my marble room.

Thanks Ron!

Here is the box lid

I picked up an interesting Solitaire board the other day. This one is full of wirepulls which are all between 7/8" and 1". Some of them are UV reactive. The game was distributed by H. P. Gibson & Sons, LTD., in London. I'm guessing it isn't terribly old but would appreciate any info.

That is an amazing collection, Craig! Thanks for sharing it with us. Here are a few from my collection. The large agate in the claw is 1 1/2".

I am looking for a Peltier Chinese Checker Box. Please let me know if you have one for sale. Thank you! Chad

Now that is exciting! Can't wait to see what comes of it. Will the rollers need to be reconditioned to any extent before you can use it?

I would guess early 1930's but that is just an educated guess. I agree... they do look like the mushroom marbles!

Picked up a neat little piece the other day. This is a Japanese Reg’lar Fellers Marble Puzzle with six wooden sleeves of marbles. The box measures 4 ½” x 2 ½”. Interestingly enough, the marbles have two seams and I can see how they might even be mistaken for an odd Peltier. Each side of the six wooden sleeves are faced with one of four marble puzzles drawn by Gene Byrnes. There are three sheets of paper inside the box which give the solution to each puzzle. The fourth solution is glued to the top of the box lid. The marbles all have white ribbons but have varying base colors of amethyst, emerald green, red, and cobalt blue. Each wooden sleeve has a wooden tray which holds three marbles. The last sleeve is missing the tray unfortunately.

Gino Biffany passed away today. I'll pass the arrangements information on when it becomes available. This is a terrible loss for the marble community. R.I.P. Mr. Peltier.

You're telling me! Wham!!

It is too cold to fish here in Iowa so I'll have to pass on the can of worms.... for now anyway.

Picked up a new sulphide the other day... Three monkeys... hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Interesting, huh? Now to make things even more interesting... it is marked "OCCUPIED JAPAN" on the back of the middle monkey. Clearly not an antique but a curious piece none the less. Talk about three wise monkeys!

I saw that one, Scott. Very nice medal you ol' eagle eye you!

Hard to tell without a clearer photo. Could be yellow mica's or could be yellow marbles with bubbles.