Steph

Random gallery picture -- looks like some big 'uns

Hi there. Welcome. That would be a "West Virginia swirl". Made in WV by one of about 14 companies which were active there from the 1930's to 1950's. My guess is that the company was Alley Agate.

Have you heard of theories of why cats like people who are wary of them? Can't remember if we've talked about this.

Thank you, Laura. My cracker jack and bubblegum toys are my happy thought. Memories of mother.

Craig, you have those displayed so nicely. Ric, bowling item? I wish I could add but I don't think any of my accidental collections included any agate items.

Nice array. Do you lease mining rights?

I'm so in.

Hey ... Bee made it look like I laughed at Ann. I didn't laugh, Ann. I promise.

How very cool!

Beautiful.

I don't remember ever seeing agate blades.

This lady, Abigail Castagnaro, makes all sorts of little glass items and puts 'em in bottles. Psychedelic geckos, Pokemon characters, custom made little glass versions of people's pets. So very fun.

Well, I might could still do better than this, but there are some four-color tri-colors in here:

It wasn't the eyelashes which did it for me. Those are Akro colors. I'll try to look around for a box photo which fits that 'un. Just added that as a p.s. about the lashes because they're so great.

P.s. ... it needs to go over here :

Akro all the way!

LOL Took a minute for that to penetrate.

Hello, Chris. Welcome. That would be a West Virginia swirl. Likely from 1930's to 1950's. They're called West Virginia swirls because there were many companies located in WV making somewhat similar companies. About 14 companies if I recall correctly. There's a good chance that the company which made your marble is Alley Agate. My second choice would be Ravenswood. To be safe though, I'll stick with WV Swirl.

Anyone have any cool pictures of them? Also, do you have pics (or the actual games ) showing their patent marks? Like patent dates even if they don't give numbers?

Here are some 1938 ads looking for a home. This looks like a pretty good place for 'em.