ManofKent

Might be useful for some of you?

Yes clays seem to have long lived popularity in France, and they're still made in Italy too.

Yes - it's easy to dismiss clearies and cats eyes but they were very popular with buyers. ...and on the subject of Cats Eyes: I'll keep these in the packet. Early cage type with varying numbers of filaments, some coloured on white and some solid coloured. On the next shot you can just make out in the centre of the pack a single thread yellow one - could be confused with a deliberate 'banana':

These are 'Foreign made' and packaged for the English market. I'm guessing early 60's from the packaging, and I'm guessing they're European made but can't narrow it down:

Nice Ed. It's a shame the Peltier names site seems to have vanished into the ether.

I'm fairly confident that a large proportion of the 50's and 60's Solitaire sets with wooden bases are Veiligglas too (relatively common over here). The later Codeg ones with the plastic bases seem to be Asian marbles.

A nice selection. I particularly like those pink and blue ones.

Codeg - 50's/60's - shown as Foreign made but I think they belong in this thread... Interesting that they're Wire Pulls (well and one clear one) but the box art say's Dazzlers. Seller assured me they're original to the box and I've no reason to doubt them.

Aqua Jewels - no point opening this pack. 'The Pride of Young Americans' and middle-aged Englishmen

We wouldn't have complained

I'm more of a Doris Day fan than a car fan, but from the bonnet (hood?) I'd guess a Dodge Challenger (don't ask me which year!)

Heaton Big Shot Cat Eye's I probably won't open the bag as I'm not convinced they're distinguishable from other four vane cat eyes of the period:

Beautiful.

Nice acquisition.

Yes well done! It does look worth a visit.

I've seen a few blister packs of marbles and miniature cyclists on ebay,fr - presumably for this game. I'm guessing that players have multiple rolls or flicks to navigate the circuit. More like crazy golf than a sand run. It's not a game I've seen this side of the channel.

Odd I'm only getting a header page now. Try this one: http://roule-ta-bille.over-blog.com/

Looks like it's a non-gravity game with flicking: http://usineabilles.over-blog.com/pages/Fabriquer_un_circuit_de_billes_1_le_circuit_en_sable-3951189.html

Thanks

A site for the preservation of a clay ball making factory: http://usineabilles.over-blog.com/pages/Fabriquer_un_circuit_de_billes_1_le_circuit_en_sable-3951189.html I may be getting somewhere!

I worked in a college library many years back I must try old contacts I've found a bit on clay and stone marble production: From Wikipedia.fr "Created in 1876 in the Drôme by Alexandre Barral, the family company began making stone balls, before embarking in 1928 in the production of ball clay. It ceases in 1935 and during the Second World War , fuel shortages leading to abandon cooking. The balls are now made with a mixture of lime and cement artificial, but we continue to call "ground balls." Faced with competition balls in Asian or American origin glass, Barral are forced to close the plant in 1984 . From 1985 to 1998 , the ball remains present in the region through the museum dedicated to him, operated by the Guilhot family building owner. In 1998 , Mr Desbois revival production of ground balls by creating society balls and Traditions, but economic difficulties forced him to close late February 2009 . The plant was acquired (machinery and know-how) by Yves Renou and settled near Limoges toSaint-Maurice-les-Brousses , in Haute-Vienne , since March 2009 . in the original building in Mirabel-et-Blacons , the museum of the ball is now managed by the association "L'Usine Ball", which aims its rehabilitation and renovation of the building. It traces the history of drômoises factories ( Saoû , Cobonne and Mirabel-et-Blacons) were the main French plants ball play. "

My schoolboy French and google hasn't worked yet

Those are a beautiful group Winnie.

Possibly one for Winnie's view, but I think these are probably French too (bought in the UK, all 18mm diameter):