Al Oregon

There are some out there - maybe not in large quantities. You know that. Maybe experienced collectors who have seen all the Jabos can tell that they are Jabos but 90% of the collectors can't - even ones that collect the 'real' types of marbles. I have seen some that mimic the red, white & blue Alleys (or Champion) and other WV swirls (colors & patterns). Here are a few pics where the colors are close - would fool many a collector. These are Kevins from eBay.

Not a really easy topic although parts of it seem to be. I agree that the in-room trading is an important part of the overall "show". It'd be interesting to see if some shows advertise the "in-room" part to the public or just advertise the show itself. Actually, the least favorite part, to me, is the actual show. While there are a few table people that have not been a part of the in-room trading, usually it is just the same people that you have seen the last couple of days. From a buying standpoint, there is not a lot of new stuff to see. From a selling standpoint, there does not seem to be a lot of the general public coming to the actual shows. Maybe that is just out west but...? One question, which appears to be important in my eyes, is how to make sure the people putting on the show get enough income to at least break even. Sure, they can charge for the tables to cover the room and other actual show costs but what about other expenses incurred - like a hospitality room(s) and any other activities? Should the table people shoulder all of the costs? The people that come to the in-room trading and don't get a table at the show, do not pay anything towards the overall cost (unless they donate). If those people get a room and come to sell at the in-room trading (and I am talking about the regulars, not a guy coming off the street with a jar full), they should pay something. They are benefitting from the show but pay nothing (unless they pay admission to the show itself - which is usually minimal). I think it is nice to have an appraisal table for people bringing in marbles (gotta figure out to man it so everyone gets an even shot at buying); an actual game of marbles at the show; an exhibit at the show (some shows have one); silent auction at the show to raise funds for the people putting the show on (or for a specific purpose); someone showing how to make marbles; maybe a "lecture" for beginning collectors on various topics about collecting. Of course, that all takes volunteer time to do. Just my thoughts...

Let's try and look at this from a new collector that is thinking about collecting marbles. And, let's say they are looking to collect machine-made marbles - older ones like Peltier, Christensen and up to WV swirls. I remember when I started collecting about 15 years ago. My wife and I sat down with Landon Daniel. We knew nothing about marbles. He shows us a variety of his marbles - high end stuff. Then he shows us a few of the newer marbles, like the Mega (Vacor) Serpent, and a couple of contemporary or re-worked or cullet-made marbles that looked like the older machine mades. He explained the difference but, to my eye, they looked the same. While I decided to collect marbles, I also decided to collect lower value ones so I could learn about marbles. I collected packaging to see what companies made what marbles. Of course, I learned along the way to recognize most of the "replica" marbles. This took time and going to shows, etc. If I started collectin marbles now and sat down with a knowledgable collector who would also show me the replicas that are out there, from Vacors to Scott's to Wilganowski to some Jabos and some recent Sammy's, I would have a hard time wanting to collect marbles because of ll the one that may be 'replicas'. New collectors are probably not going to take the time to learn the fine details to tell the difference and when they get burned, they will walk away. Beside the electronic age taking away kids playing marbles (and subsequently being a collector when they get older), these 'replica' marbles, as they proliferate, will be a detriment to the continued growth of the hobby. Just my thoughts trying to look at it from a new collector viewpoint.

Yup, it was a fun time. Eddie & Madeline's first time at the Crab Pot - ordered, 'Crab, Crab & Crab' (3 different types). It's always fun to see friends periodically and even some nice marbles and a bag or two, for me.

Good list - thanks for letting us know about it.

Steph - were you 'modularforms' on one of the boards? Here was a picture posted back in December 2007.

Nice pic!

Here is a picture that Galen (I think) used several years ago to describe the diaper fold.

I am sorry to hear that. I did not know George but my prayers go out to his family.

Hey, it is paper that is over 100 years old. Mind blowing for US... Of course in Europe, that is only the equivalent of a week or so... However, it is still amazing to have marble related items that are that old (besdies the marbles themselves).

I have a couple bags like that. I'm not sure if they are fantasy bags or 'real'. They have a variety of marbles. I would think they are from the 70's or 80's. Here's a couple pics.

I am sorry to read that. Paul was a true gentleman and a fine marble maker. He and Dee were always a pleasure to talk to at shows. My prayers to the family!

Neat pictures! Thanks for sharing those. The 'model' making the marbles does look like a French version of Sammy Hogue...!

That's fine - all my pics can be used by anybody (as long as they are not saying that they are selling that specific bag...).

I looked through pictures of my Vitro All Red bags (with the name All Red in the header) and the Gladding-Vitro All Red bags and did not see any that had the metallic sheen look. That would be late 50's to 1969 as Vitro and then 1969-82 as G-V(and a couple years into the Paris Manufacturing era after G-V). I did find a couple of Paris bags that appeared to have marbles with a metallic sheen. Also, a couple other bags without Paris on it had some of the Vitro blue metallic marbles in it along with some All Reds that appear to have sheen. I added the pics below. I did not find anything resembling the All Reds in the Anarcortes packaging so it was probably before then (even though some Anacortes marbles had a metallic sheen). So, in guessing, I'd say 1980's.

Again, great pictures, Edna! And that is neat that Lawrence Alley III was there. I'm looking forward to his book. Did he mention any time frame for completion?

Cool earrings! Maybe Griff can wear them with his dress and hat from the Ladies Run... (payback for the gutta percha pun)

That's too bad but glad no one was hurt. He has a nice workshop.

Looks like one of the best runs to me also.

Yup, a good deal...

One option - since marble collectors now know how important it is to keep records (we know the companies really didn't) would be to contact the people that ran the Amana Show back in 1996 and see if they still have their "records" of who attended. That might help narrow it down.

Neat one!

Good reference

Here is the reply I received from Brian Estepp: I had Morphys send marble to me to take another look. It is Christensen green guinea with two curved pinch lines.I am having them reshoot the photos to show the spotting of the colors that are not seen and state the as made stretched surface blowout I did not see the first time looking at it.

Did anyone email Brian E. to get his take on that marble and why he thought it was a guinea?