metalshelf

Sorry, unable to get pictures of pontil to upload unless backlit. Bob.

This is the bottom pontil backlit. Both pontils are ground pontils. Will try to provide pictures of pontils without backlighting, however, up to now they will not load.

Top Pontil Backlit

Third Picture. Sorry, can't get it to load.

Second Picture

Hi: Need help with this one as well. I believe it is a German Hand-Made Mist Swirl, but, not 100% certain. The marble is Cased and measures 1 7/16" in diameter. In addition to the 2 sets of bands, it has numerous strands of translucent cobalt blue color at the same level as the 2 bands. In the center is a ghost core comprised of many tiny air bubbles. Here are 3 pictures, all backlit so you can see the translucent strands. Thanks, Bob.

Hi again: 2 more pictures of marble in question. Thanks, Bob.

Hi: Is this an early 2 seam Christensen Agate Striped Opaque or is it an early German machine made marble ? Marble is Mint and slightly larger than 5/8" in diameter. I'll post 4 pictures so you can see 4 sides. Thanks, Bob.

Thanks Steph. Much appreciated. Bob.

Thank you and much appreciated, Bob.

Not sure of maker or type. Measures 5/8" in diameter and is Mint ( no fractures ). Base glass is transparent amber with opaque blue and white swirling on surface and interior of marble.

This is the second marble that I referred to in my earlier post.

These 2 marbles came as part of a large collection of antique German, vintage American and modern contemporary marbles. I have never seen this type before. They are both 25/32" in diameter and Mint condition. The red base glass is translucent. Spots on top are white opaque, almost opalescent. The blue base glass is opaque. Both have what appears to be small melted type single pontils. I also have 3 others. I red, 1 orange and 1 cobalt blue, all with white opaque spotting.

Hi Burt: Commonly referred to as vintage 2 color, color base, hand-gathered swirls. Most likely from 1920s/1930s. Subject of much controversy over the years. At one time, they were thought to be made by the Christensen Agate Company because the colors were similar to their color palates and they sold for serious money. You will find pictures of some nice examples on pages 81 through 83 of Bob Block's 2003 Hard Cover Book titled "Collecting Early Machine Made Marbles". Bob Block no longer suggests that these marbles were made by CAC. Based on inconclusive research by a Canadian Collector, thinking shifted to possible Canadian origins. Today, as far as I am concerned, nobody knows for certain their exact origins and will probably never know. Alan Basinet used to say that the majority of these type marbles were found mostly in Canada, Australia and India. They are one of my favorite marbles and should be enjoyed and collected for their beauty of structure and unique color combinations. Many serious marble collectors have these marbles in their collections. Over the years, I have found them in sizes ranging from 5/8" to 27/32". Currently, there is one listed on eBay as a Vintage Mystery Marble because of the controversy. These marbles are not new subjects to this forum. Enjoy, Bob.

Hi Hansel: I find a lot of these in Canada. When I sell them, I list them as the more common variety of "so called" Vintage Canadian Transitional Swirl Marbles. Not sure if this is correct, however, no conclusive evidence to the contrary. The more collectible types are the 2 color swirls with colored base glass, as you know. At one time, a number of years ago, they were thought to have been made by the Christensen Agate Company, primarily because of the distincive "9" and "Tail". Collectors today seem to gravitate toward the Canadian Type Transitional Swirl, in large part, because of research done by Roger Browse. For what it's worth.......................................Bob.

Thanks, Much Appreciated

Sorry. Tried to attach pictures but failed. 12 pictures on eBay site.

In the event anyone might be interested, I have listed the Marble King Champion's Trophy, that I purchased at Don Taylor's (Captain Marble) Marble Collection Auction in Ann Arbor, MI, about a month ago, on eBay ( ebay #171743754744 ). If you have any questions or comments, will do my best to respond.

Hi Steph: The Marble King Trophy was the 3rd item to sell at the auction. I purchased it and it sold for a lot more than $85.00. I will be selling it at some point in the not too distant future. Currently, it resides in Canada. Have a great day, Bob.

A very good friend of Alan's in Jacksonville, Florida has been selling, bi-weekly on eBay, mostly Contemporary marbles that were in Alan's personal collection. He's doing this at Alan's request and the money is going to Alan's parents. His eBay I.D. is "rabbitransales". I do believe that Alan sold the majority of his antique and vintage marble collection before his passing. His friend in Jacksonville may or may not be able to shed more light on this assumption or may be waiting until the economy improves to sell the much higher end marbles. Alan had more than a few hundred Contemporaries and his friend lists about 7 or 8 every 2 weeks. I have purchased some of these and have listed a Limited Edition Drew Fritts from 2001 on eBay ( under I.D. metalshelf ) should anyone be interested. It is #9 of 20 and was part of Alan's personal collection.

Hi gjbkrb: Thank you for your assessment. I am inclined to agree and would say that you are not far off the mark, if at all. Regards, Bob ( Metalshelf )

Hi Again: Just as a matter of information, he found this marble when tearing up the wood floor boards on the main floor of the old house. Although he is not a marble collector, he has done a lot of research since he found the marble several weeks ago. He says the surface is Mint, except there are 2 very tiny shallow circular holes......I assume these are tiny air bubble pops. Bob

The other 2 pictures as follows:

Hi: I got a call recently from a Carpenter who lives in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and, while demolishing an old house, circa 1850s, he found this 1 1/32" Maglite Indian Lutz Marble with 3 Lutz Bands and a single Blue Opaque Band between each of the 3 Lutz bands. I have not seen the marble, other than the 4 pictures he was able to send me with his phone/camera. He says when he shines a light into the marble, he can see tiny air bubbles and a translucent black or extremely dark color that appears to be black to him. I have attached a copy of each of these 4 pictures. Any ideas on value, if I were to purchase it to resell, or, is anyone interested in making him a fair offer through me. I'd put interested buyers directly in touch with him, except he doesn't speak any English.....only French. The file is too big to send all 4 pictures with this file. I'll send the other 2 pictures separately. Bob