Scoop

I wouldn't be surprised if an American coin was used... They knew where the bulk of their market was. There is definitely a known "McKinley" sulphide.

Are we questioning "Mr. Frederick Flintstone XXV" ???

I wouldn't even venture to guess based on the pictures... I agree that the glass looks very clear. But, that could be for real or it could be the pics... Without MUCH better pictures of the surface of the glass & pontil, there's no way to be sure. I know there is a known vintage coin figure... Is that the coin?? That's not how I remember it... 'Sure looks similar to the eagle Benningtons doesn't it?

I think it's GREAT!!!!

I guess all that is exactly how I feel and where my question / doubt is.... My gut agrees that putting the pontil back on would be "wrong." I've been raised in the antiques business and that "morality" has been burned into my soul!!! ROFL Soooo...... Would it be even possible? Is the real question.... If the answer is yes. And, it is indistinguishable from original, what makes it so wrong?? Please note... I don't necessarily feel it isn't wrong... I'm just questioning my own resolve, here... It IS an original piece... It has experienced serious damaged... If it can be fully restored, why is that wrong?? I keep asking myself that question and the only answer I can come up with is... "It just IS" But, honestly.... I find that hard to justify.... Please help me!!! LOL Urrrrggghhhh.... The faceted pontils make all the difference in the world.... Quite a few years ago, there were 2 large marbles that "hit the scene" at about the same time. One is "fairly" well known amongst older collectors. The other had far less publicity... I know the better known one has moved from "major collection" to "major collection" a few times... Every once in a while, news surfaces about it. The other, I caught a glimpse of, once... And, I've never seen or heard of it again... I held them both and I can totally see why anyone would think they were authentic... But the old saying, "If it looks too good to be true...." keeps ringing in the back of my head. Like the "California sulphides" and the "exotics," there will always be a "Believer Camp" and a "Non-believer Camp." As much as some of the "major collections" people buy and sell these 2 marbles (or at least, the one that has moved around...) I just can't wrap my head around their authenticity... Somehow, I think we may have just found out why...... Pen (Is Pen OK? Or, Pene? LOL) Do you have an antiques background?? Distinguishing glass by it's "look" or "feel" is such a gift!!! Those who have it don't understand why others can't see it... I don't know if it's an "experience" thing, or a born-in "sense." But, when David says, "Go with your gut," it all depends on what your gut is capable of telling you... 'Sounds like you could be on the right path!! You just need to gain a little experience in this particular area to learn the details of having confidence in it.

LOL What IS it about those eagle Benningtons!!! I want one, too!!! But.... Not for a couple hundred dollars!!! LOL Alan.. Those are beautiful and I certainly could see how they might filter into the system over time... But, as good as they are, there's something about them that screams "Wrong!!" It's just enough to make them almost safe... Also, are both pontils polished? That 8 coin sulphide could be a fooler!! OK... I'm gonna ask the question in this thread that would scare me in the other thread.... And, I really hope it doesn't open a bag of worms. I'm just torn about the answer... Soooooooo..... Rich Shelby takes an old sulphide with a really bad fracture... It's heated and repaired... About the only thing that's really gonna give it away, would be the pontil. Does he try to restore the pontil as best as possible?? At what point does a repair become so good that it is no longer relevant?

Ah HA!! Now I know where I know your name from!!! LOL The video is great!! I made a soft glass marble at the first (or second, not sure...) Wheaton Marble Weekend... I'd love to do more of it. I just have too many things I want to do and not enough clones!! LOL Would you consider coming out to Wheaton this year?? We sure could use some "Successful Show" advice!! OK... Back on topic... Would this process work as well for a fractured German cane swirl marble?? I have a large fractured one that I'd be happy to send out as a trial!!

Wise, wise words, Steph!! If complaining or being angry could stop it, it would make sense. Since that's not the case, all we can do is suck it up and try to learn as much as we can. That certainly doesn't mean we have to be happy about it!!! But, the end result is far more beneficial.

Wow Rich!! That looks great!!! First off... Welcome!! And, don't worry about what is posted where... We do have sections for various topics... Including one on repair work... But, had you posted there, not many would have seen this. Steph would probably have moved it here to get more attention. So, when in doubt, post in this section. As the topic slows down, it will be moved to the right forum for archive. We're not "strict" here and no one should feel worried about being reprimanded for posting something in the "wrong" place!! I really hope this topic gets a lot of discussion... I'm assuming the repair process you use is what is referred to as "cooking?" We've had discussions on this topic before... But, we've never had someone who actually DOES it, to chime in... I'm excited to ask questions and see what others have to ask... Could you tell us a little about yourself and your history with glass work?? Have you been doing this sort of thing for a while? PS... Because this sort of work has a history of being a little controversial, I'd like to ask that anyone who is opposed to it, PLEASE stay civil... I, for one, have been very curious about this process and I really hope we all have the opportunity to learn about it. Whether it's something you support or not, it exists... Let's learn about it, rather than chasing it back under the rug!! Please??

I'd have to find them to tell for sure, Andrea... But, I think their both right around 1", or maybe a teeny bit bigger?? There seems to be a "usual" size for this type and they are both right around it. It's just the pictures that make them look different.

OK GO!!! I love those guys!!! A couple of years ago A Million Ways to be Cruel was one of my favorite songs!!! Listen to the song a couple times before watching the video. Otherwise, you never really hear it. The videos are just too captivating!!! LOL I bet they'd be a blast at a party!!

Hey!!! I do have pictures!!! My memory is a sieve 'Second one doesn't have the yellow... But, it seems to fit in!!

Holy Smolies, Jim!!! That is AWESOME!!! After a while, it's easy to stop noticing Benningtons... There's just SO many... But, once in a while... For those who are paying attention (Key!!) something like that rolls along!! Those who snooze lose and you were wide awake!!! Great score!!!

I think I may have a transitional "Previously known as Leighton" style with that combination... No picture at the moment but I'll try to work on it...

WOW!!! Are those for REAL??? COOL!!! I'd never have guessed.... I have to go diggin' through Brian's website again!!! Because the Bennington pottery made a lot of items with the Rockingham glaze, it was "assumed" by many that the marbles were from there, also.... 'Course, in that time frame, most every major pottery probably used a lot of the Rockingham glaze... Bennington was the "Big Buck" name at the antique shows, though.... It made a good story at the time!!! LOL

Thanks for the props David... But, no... I'd have to go with Ann on that score... WAY too many possibilities to be sure of most anything outside of the ordinary... My Dad grew up in Adams, Ma... Not too far from Bennington, Vt. Years ago, on a family outting, we visited the modern factory outlet... They had a bin of HUGE Bennington type marbles... Larger than the largest German size. But, they may have had smaller ones too. It seems to me, some had bits of other colors, like green, red or yellow in the glaze Why didn't I buy any??? Why don't I remember what I saw??? Things that happen when you don't realize how important that information may be in the future... All I can say is.... At a marble show, I saw someone ask a well know "expert" about a marble that was WAY too large for a Bennington and they were assured that "Yes, it certainly was!! Biggest one I've ever seen!!!" 'Had I not seen the ones I had, with my own eyes, I'd probably have said the same.... Hmmmmmmmm, I'd bet lunch that marble came from the modern pottery... I've never been able to find out anything more about them... But, it just shows to go ya, that there are things "out there," that we don't know about.... I always picked up (Whenever possible) the Akron pottery marbles, like the one Steph shows... I always thought they were cool... 'Never had a clue what they were until Brian talked about them... Oh..... Back on the more specific topic.... Steph, I'm not positive... But I think the closest thing to a "Salt Glaze" up there is the Akron marble... I always thought of it as a lighter gray-ish, brown-ish glaze with a bit of an orange peel texture... Like the old crocks and jugs that had the blue decorations painted on them. Brown Benningtons would be considered "Rockingham Glaze".... I'm not sure what the blue would be called.... "Cobalt" I guess......

There are many impossibilities in life.... That's one of 'em....

Thanks Windy!!!! Even though we're going through a wonderful spring weather spot ('Had the door open yesterday!!!) I'm Jealous!!!!! LOL Nice scores & Great Pics!!

Fourth vote's in!! We still gotta spread this around more!! Beg everyone you know!!! LOL

Damn Craig... I missed 'em and I'd really love to see them... PLEASE put 'em back and stay with us!! If these are John's marbles, I'm sure they must have his gold shamrock signature... This signature isn't just on the surface where it can be rubbed off, it's indented. Making removal quite difficult... John is a great guy and deeply cares about his marbles NOT being confused with vintage...

Your post prompted me to look up the band and see what was online about them... I was shocked to see tour dates... I guess... Since it was originated as a kinda "jam band" they can move on with new people... But, somehow... Without Alan Wilson and Bob Hite, I just don't see the point in draggin' it out... Kinda like Little Feat touring without Lowell George.... 'Sounds like a fun day though!!

Somewhere, in the cobwebs at the back of my head, I seem to remember seeing balls like that... But, only in that tan-ish (base) color, with the slight speckles... 'Seems like they were about that size, too... Other than that, I'm drawing a blank....

It is definitly geared towards the contemporary... But, there are some vintage. There's also a very nice glass museum on the grounds. Here's a couple of links for info.... Wheaton Arts Marble Weekend 2010 Where to stay If your even thinking of going, make reservations at the Country Inn NOW!!! (They can be canceled for no charge... I think the time limit has changed from 24 before arrival, to 72 hours before arrival... Double check on that...) If you plan to sleep, request a room at the back of the building... The front porch gets loud until wee hours!!!

I'm in for a third!!! Jack, try this link If it doesn't work, you may need to do something like unblock pop-ups...

Ordinarily, I'd lean towards the red one too.... But, the green one is REALLY sparkly!!!! Awesome as always, mike!!!