Alan

People want what is "hot right now". That is a constantly changing target.

$1800 plus.

Its an odd looker. Without it in hand - I'd guess EOC single ribbon.

A lot of those came out of Mexico. I think by the ton.

Are you referring to vintage handmades?

That could well be. If so - that would make the process a little simpler. I guessed they would be made in the same shop because it is so simple and cheap to do - and the resulting figure so fragile. But thats just a guess on my part.

To the OP's question (and I'llHaveThat1's point) about provenance - I was mulling over what makes provenance (other than claimed word-of-mouth). Then I remembered two original, unmolested handmade boxes that were sold years ago by Danny Turner. One was an original Salesman's Sample Box (circa 1890-1910). Note that (at least) the top row has labels that look like postage stamps - but with writing on them. I expect that these describe the specific type for placing orders. I don't recall if the box was labeled by the manufacturer - perhaps someone who has the pamphlet for #45 could look that up. The second was inspired by I'llHaveThat1's point about sulphides. An original sulphide box that sold in 1997. The front cover does not list the manufacture: " 1 doz. Glass Marbles - Figured. Made in Germany". I'm not sure this sheds new specific light - its rare that we see original handmade boxes - so I thought I would add them. Alan

The basic resources for Sulphides would be the same - and actually far simpler. They just needs to batch mold some kaolin clay figures in wood molds and then fire them and then leave them in the hot kiln. Then a very small gather on a punty for half of the marble, cut the piece and drop into a half sphere cherrywood mold, the heatedt figure is dropped and then pressed in, and then another snip of glass from the punty - and then it is puntied and rounded in the same cherrywood mold. No need for colored glass, cane pick-ups, cane pulling, frit rolls (onionskins). Its actually a very easy process.

Keep in mind that a commercial glass shop would not produce a single item at once. The economies of scale (just as true in those days) and typical layout of a glass shop meant that they could easily and more cheaply produce several lines at once. The basic resources (a pot of glass and a glory hole) can be used by multiple gatherers, finishers and helper boys at once. A good shop has a ballet-like timing where they are doing their tasks among shared shop resources without getting into each other's way. Cane construction is probably the most time-consuming task that requires 3-4 people for a bit. There isn't anything in a small hot glass shop that would suggest that specialization offers a benefit. In the end - shops are filling orders from wholesalers.

Cane-cut handmades were made by a simple and universal technique. I'm not aware of a type or style that could in any way be attributed to a specific manufacturer. Even if one manufacturer came up with a new design (which I'm sure they did) - it could be easily and quickly copied by others because the construction technique was always going to be fairly simple.

Wow - lots going on inside that marble.

Marbles are generally not "certified". At least not in the way that vintage coins have been. There are (at least) two people who have done formal appraisals of a large collection for an insurance claim, followed by a lawsuit that went to court. It can be done. Its a lot of work and documentation.

Cold roll:

Doug Sweet - Karuna Glass.

A couple comtemps:

So I think the question is..... Is it a regular tranny - or a flaming tranny?

Tranny thread. <Not that there is anything wrong with that>

They are fried marbles. We fried more than a few in my youth....

Cornhusk. I like 'em!

Thats one heck of a Lightning Bolt.

Contemporary