Steph

Most of those have much too distinct vanes for me to be tempted to call them bananas. Bananas are supposed to be thick ... like bananas. The closer it is to having four separate vanes, the less likely it is I'll call it a banana. The white one in front has such clear base glass, that I think it could turn out to be an American-made marble -- could be either Peltier or Master. And for me, I don't call it a banana unless it's Peltier or Master ... along with being plump. I don't call Asian marbles bananas.

This box which Hansel posted shows how some Peltier bananas can have ridges. And I guess I even see some thin vanes. But as thin as yours? (Also, it's tricky to call them "bananas" anymore when they have distinct vanes, but if they're known Pelts and definitely part of a banana run, then I guess they slide under the wire.) (I'm still thinking foreign on yours, and not "banana".)

Not bananas. Yes, foreign cat's eyes.

The second marble looks more cage-like than the first on my screen. (Is the base glass amber on the second?) The first marble looks like it might be on the way to cage style but I'm not sure if it reaches it.

I'm not seeing Pelt. I _think_ I'm seeing several very thin vanes. Is that right? If so, then I think foreign. The Pelt banana can have vanes or ridges but I expect them to be somewhat plump.

Yes. Save those. They're not rare but I think they might be getting harder to come by.

The Vitro bag looks good though, right? It has that seam in back which we like to see.

That sounds right.

Here ya go.

I think it's a good bag. I almost want to buy it myself .... still looking for that ad. BRB.

Hiya. Even though it doesn't have the seam on the back that folks look for with older bags, it has appropriate marbles. I don't know what exactly the bag should look like in the early 1950's. But those are 1940's Alleys, which Berry Pink used to fill his bags in the early 1950's after he bought the Alley plant and turned it into the Marble King company. But before he developed Marble King's signature style. I'll go look for an ad which might show them.

Also ... just checked ... the Marble King site has 1" and 7/8" cat's eyes listed. I guess I could have checked that first. But I did enjoy taking my pictures.

A lot were made over the course of the decades. Room for many variations.

I think that's safe to say, yes.

Also, a 7/8" one with almost-black amethyst vanes. Came with a lot of other amethysts which I really really really wish I had saved.

I posted this in another thread. I'll add it here because it sure is a lot of nice color for a cold winter day.

I have big ones which I bought in bulk around 2004 or 2005, including big four-color ones, 15/16" to 1". But I didn't keep good track of them since I was just starting my serious collecting then. I got rid of most of them because I hadn't yet learned to value modern marbles and can't swear there was no cross-contamination with old lots. But the four-color ones have to be modern and I'm pretty sure some of the single-color ones are also.

Another Vitro cat. Not sure what's giving the milkiness.

Not Vacor. From China. Often called "Imperial".

Ron, why do you think older MK? Any clues to look for between newer and older?

yes

yessir!

They guy who invented the marble rollers which have been used for the past 115 years first invented a machine to make steel bearings inexpensively and reliably round. That was a BIG deal back in 1902. He was Martin F. Christensen. He sold his patent for a lot of money but retained royalty rights on the production of bearings. It let him retire in comfort. And THEN he switched over to making marbles. Which has nothing to do with your question! But it's interesting, no?

Put 'em in a jar in some out of the way place and forget about them until you find someone who goes gaga over steelies.