richsantaclaus

True that is Galen what you posted but I think collectors know that already - but value is what to you? Is it always about the mighty $? I am sure if a person likes the marble AND it is beat-up anyway AND worth next to nothing money-wise, polishing it or torching it will be FAR better in the long run to have a next to perfect marble to be emotionally tied to rather than a piece of junk. I am certain you understand that simple situation. For example, great great grandpa's shooter might be really beat-up and the great great grandchild wants it back to what it was when great great granddad was a child, I am sure the kid doesn't care what the resale value for a beat-up marble would be one bit. Polishing or torching this piece of family history giving back to the child a resemblance of what great great granddad played with is very satisfying to the child. This is one reason I repair marbles - for the owner to be pleased emotionally with the new looking marble and so far, you seem to be the only one to point out a money loss for the new look. Please keep an open mind about the ART of repairing old marbles - it is more important than any money loosed or gained in future sales IF the owner chooses that path.

Nice work Danny! Polishing is a great way to remove surface damage and I recommend it highly. Saying that, if there are cracks, a lot of abuse (like those in the pictures) or huge divots, I don't think polishing it would be the ticket. Polishing takes the entire surface down to the lowest damage and torching allows the higher amount of glass to flow into the deep abuse. The owner must make the decision to the method of repair. Both techniques have their risks too.

Hi Danny, do you torch them or polish them? Have any before pix? Thanks Rich

Thanks Griff - these were not easy! PM sent Edna - thanks! Greg - cute! I needed a laugh! I'll havethat1 - there was no way to see under the mess so I had to make a guess as what was there under the abuse on some of them to attempt to capture the maker's original work. I want to thank William for trusting me with these as it is always an uncertain thing on how the old glass will react being reheated up to melting temperatures once again - 150 years later!

Thanks you guys. These took 5 hours of work and I used almost a full tank of oxygen during the repair. I can't wait to see how the reaction is when they see these in hand as pictures don't do them justice.

If the damage is on the surface and not too deep of a hit, I recommend polishing as a repair over torching. But, if the damage was such as a big crack, that goes deep into the marble and the marble can be repaired by torching, I recommend torching as a way of repair. I am VERY careful in my recommendations as I know how much one can have in emotions in a marble. If the person wants me to repair a marble, I treat it as if I owned it giving it the best care I can as if I really did own it! Also, if the marble has a family value, I usually suggest that the owner get a clear glass vase, fill it with water and out the marble in it and display it in a display case and NOT do any repairs as there are risks repairing ANY marble.

Hi Gary - I sure wish I could be there this year but my wife and I are going to head up north to Oregon, Washington and Canada this year. I wish you all the best for the upcoming show! Rich ps.. I haven't heard anything from Mark?????

You got THAT right!!!!! It's just I hate it when someone has NO background in an area of study telling others what they say is correct and refuse to set the record stright - it then becomes MORE that "just mrbles." Their silence speks volumes as I have heard from the emails I have received.

You needed to use sunlight not those crummy in room trading lights! Seriously, they are NOT dull in ant way, shape or form! Hummmmm, I don't remember you getting any? I must be older than I thought! Watch out Galen, we might be getting TOO personal here for Steph...lol

Galen - I understand you not liking my run since you are totally colorblind so I expected your post! I saw that "look" on your face when you saw the marbles in person - you had no idea what they looked like. Go on and believe whatever it is that makes you happy - it's ALL good!!!!! Steph - I can't get the song, "Here I come to save the day!" out of my head after reading your post! We'll now never know what science that was studied or lack of qualifications were there.... oh well.... marble on!

Whatever Steph! Nice way to cover up another person's lack of ability to hold a discussion of science by saying it's personal. If it were really personal I would simply PM the person! And Mike seems you too need to take a chemistry class as education is a good thing!

I was there with you in the same hotel room during room trading and you refused to come to my room to see them. I understand why because my step daughter booked my room for me in a hotel across the street from the show by mistake and you didn't want to leave. ALL of the marbles were Joanne's since I had not received my part at that time Edna as I told you. ALL those marbles were for sale and 70% of what I brought sold at the show. I gave you the lay version of the explanation about how the colors were formed. I kept it very simple for you as usually technical science isn't for the masses. How was I to communicate with you when you choose to not discuss things and keep them to yourself? You certainly know that communication solves all disagreements in science and when one party withholds things, it would seem like arguing. I didn't withhold, I just watered it down the processes for your understanding. Sorta like the KISS method - Keep It Simple Students. I am sorry you feel I am arguing with you. I thought I was taking the path of an adult conversation and expressing my feelings at the same time. By the way, there are several specific types of science majors so stating that you were a science major and an undergraduate could mean you were one of five different science majors: chemistry - biology - geology - physics - astronomy and I can't tell from you post which one you specialized in. You'll need more than a basic understanding of the metallic, non metallic , metalloids, etc. elements and how all the oxidation numbers combine to form the different colors of glass Edna let alone the nature of metallic bonding - are these easily understood by your science background?

I forgot this part. Rich, I did not name any names. <----you summed ALL marble makers in a group Edna, and I am in that group I made no comment about you. "They have had no marble maker since David was fired. No" <---- I AM a marble maker just don't fit the "dump glass into a oven and let's see what happens" group. I study the science of glass and how it is made combined with the molecular reactions under intense heat as well as molten glass flow inside the ovens and what happens in the span wise and longitudinal circulation patterns. Let me see who else does this and please tell me you know someone else that understands what I did that is currently making marbles! I appreciate the hard work you did over 8 months, but I didn't see any of those marbles except what you brought to our show. <- that is because you never took time to have a look - too busy elsewhere after I attempted to show all the ones I brought TWO times! I drove 1800 miles Edna to show you and explain the run to you but you were too busy in another vendor's room visiting and walked past me as I stood there waiting at least for some type of hospitality from you. The second time, I had to block your path in the hallway to get your attention then follow you to your room for a 3 or 5 min show and tell - clearly not enough time for you to see what I brought. Then I never saw you stop by my table to look at what I brought! Does that mean it was a very limited run? <-- it was a science experiment where there were ONLY 3 people in charge there + the 2 employees running the machine. You bet it was limited. Any investors in that one? <-- Why would I need investors in an experiment? Why the perseveration on "investors?" We're not talking about experimental, learning runs. <--- yes we are because it doesn't matter the reason, we are making marbles!!!!! We're talking here about people risking money for marbles they can sell and recoup their money. <--- are you sure ALL people sell the marbles that are a part of the runs? I know of 2 personally that NEVER sell their marbles yet participate in marble runs. I'd expect more understanding from you Edna with your experience and vast knowledge with marbles. I hope in the future you can focus on the positive things that ALL marble making companies can bring forth to the children of this country. Without us adults promoting ALL marble making companies and engaging the youth, the hobby will cease to exist. We need to get out to the community parks with the "marbles that will be played with" and get the kids there involved and interested as my friend has in San Clemente, Ca. Every Saturday he and his son take 100 marbles (made by a USA marble making company) and gets the other kids to play marbles. There is a 100 year old tree with bumpy tree roots dug into the ground. The kids did holes in places of their choice and follow each other making up rules as they play of who wins the hole and the marbles not in it yet. For 3 hours they play and have the time of their lives. Do you think the kids care on iota which company made the marbles or hold a grudge against one company? Do you think they know the difference between a marble made by putting glass into an oven verses a scientific experiment? Certainly not! It seems the adults are the ones who can't play like adults but rather ACT like kids in the way they treat the marbles making companies. Personally, I want ALL companies to thrive and succeed because it's good for the kids. You've seen my web site and I cater to ALL the companies that want me to keep track of their history of the marbles they make.

"More junk than pretty marbles" So Edna, you think my run was JUNK - thanks! This makes me feel real good knowing your true feelings about the 8 months of study and research I did. At the Ft. Worth show would have been a good time to tell me your feelings in person rather than sharing here that my work is junk. If you didn't like the organic look that was obtained from using ONLY 2 COLOR CANES where up to 15 different colors were on some of the marbles rather then using 5 or 6 canes like others used and they only obtained marbles with 5 or 6 colors that's ok with me but these marbles I made were certainly NOT junk!!!!! Maybe it's because you don't understand the science and have no appreciation of what was accomplished. Oh well, seems you think everybody MUST like one kind of marble and anything anyone else tries is ugly! To each their own Edna - Marble On!!!

Edna - just scroll down on the listing

The heat of the torch melts pontils in. Also, I don't want to dishonor the original maker by copying his/her work. I don't mind cleaning them up though in spite of all the possible problems that might happen. Thanks for the kind words.

Please let me know when you have them in hand and yout thoughts. Rich

I have been forced out of my rental by the landlady selling it on a short sale. I have been SO busy packing. I rented an industrial building for my business and I am storing everything there because I am basically homeless. Escrow closed on May 24th and the new owners gave me until June 23rd to be totally out. Moving at my age is quite a PITA!!!!! Anyway, did some repairs to sulphides and onionskins when I needed a break from moving - more details later on those (I did take before and after pix). Anyway, keep on keeping on!!!!!

Because the marble has SO much volume, the entire sphere has to be reheated or it will thermal shock (blow up!) if one attempts to just heat a section I am afraid. Come over and see the floor of my studio!!!

Polishing it will not heal the open spot at the pontil I am afraid. Polishing only removes glass. Making the hole become closed during torching will have to have glass removed so the colors are pulled up and together. One more thing, there is no gurantee on what will happen witt old glass during the heating process.

Maybe it might be an original pontil that was altered by the excessive heat and the person attempted (and failed) to reproduce it. Also, JVV, please explain to us why you are so certain it isn't the original. What was it you saw that immediately convinced you?

The first marble was definitely torched and the person left the pontil out of the heat - hence the dichotomy of surfaces. The second marble - polishing it will not close the open part of the pontil glass. It would have to be heated and a technique that pulls off glass so the colors move toward the top, then be cut to keep that pontil area closed would be needed to close the hole. Tricky business!

Oh

No need to apologize about not knowing the science - feel free to ask. I love to help!

Good question Ron. Think of it as a ball of water (a liquid). A ball of water will try to naturally fill in the "dents" and "hit marks" and attempt to always stay round. Now think of glass when it is heated to and past it's melting point (now also a liquid). Gravity allows glass to attempt to be naturally round just like the water ball. Therefore, the lowest "hits" or "dents" will be fllled in when the marble is molten on the surface by the glass that was not dented in. You don't lose glass when torching, it just relocates from a higher level into the lower level. Polishing removes glass and takes the volume off to a point of the deepest damage. Both techniques restore a marble but do not duplicate the original.... just makes it look a lot better! I use this fact when I repair old glass. Since I don't know that actual glass they used, I can't add modern glass since it might not be compatible. So I have to rely on the natural process of glass wanting to be naturally round when it is liquid. I hope this helps.