Shamrock Marbles

Not readily available. However, here is a link showing the larger “Mark II” in action. Mark Matthews, Hot House Glass and Shamrock Marbles Enjoy! -John

Great haul! You may not get any “valuable” marbles, but you will find gems in your catch. Enjoy what you have, while you search for more!! -John

Thank you. These were made with Hot House Glass last year at Moon marble. Brett and Larry are true artists. I’m a glass hack. Many thanks to Bruce, Linda, Brett and Larry!!

Dang!! Super keeper!

Cranberry and Green Aventurine. 1.30” diameter.

What are those?

Drew Frits in the middle?

The journey for “Genesis” began in late 2001. Design and build occurred during 2002. First marble rounding attempt was March 2003. First successful sphere was August of 2003. First public demonstration was October of 2003. Genesis was followed by the “Mark II” in 2006… It’s been a crazy trek the last 20 years! *** I designed the machine based on the MFC patent (~80%). The remaining design had ideas from other marble machine patents, plus one of my own features not claimed in any patent. Built the unit at work over a period of months. Had the “wheels” made at a friend’s machine shop. *** Bruce Breslow and Cathy Runyan-Svacina gave the initial push. Brian Graham provided me with the MFC patent number. The rest is history!

Shift knob from Craig @spara50. Marble machine “Genesis”.

Vintage or Contemporary, they are all beautiful. Mine in Contemporary also. I’ll drop a photo of the knob on the machine.

Love those knobs. Craig S. gave me a knob years ago. I installed it on my marble machine. What do your threaded inserts look like?

Great cut line!! Sweet!

My reflector is stamped: ”ANTHES TYPE-T” ”PATENT 2134566” Stamping on the back is too corroded to clearly make out “…FT MADISON IA”.

Nice marbles, but tell us about you father. There’s a story to be shared. -John

There are more than a few museums that have questionable items in their collections. Study the provenance, not the superficial “story”. After the great Chicago fire, there were “entrepreneurs” that exploited the fire to gain financially. Glass marbles are not immune to “historical distortions” or “names” to enhance market pricing. Internet postings are not proof of authenticity. Caveat emptor!!

Thank you for the grammar check!! I updated it accordingly. Yes, you are correct about working for extended periods at a torch and the physical stress it provides. Combine that, with cold winter weather and you have one terrible combination. Time for a phone call…

Ray did some great stuff. My favorites were his sulphide. A very creative and inquisitive person.

Bill became a very good marble maker later. I remember that period. Bill took a great hit from Les’ passing (along with many others). I can say that my interactions with Les at three marble shows were very educational and transformative. Time has passed, but no one has ever produced the beautiful photographs that BT created nearly 20 years ago. My favorite phrase, “Variations on a theme.” Cheers to upside down world maps!!

A pillar of a man that cannot be replaced. My heartfelt condolences to loved ones and friends. May your hearts carry his memory in witness of who he was. Blessings to those who knew him. A shame that another generation will never get the direct experience of his knowledge and friendship. Call those who are far away. Hug those who are near. Tomorrow is not promised. Godspeed, dear Ron.

Interesting difference in patina in the section engraved with “Dept of Parks”. Yours appears to be machined/ground off then engraved with gratuitous nomenclature. Explanation for the difference in surface condition?

Hmmm… Considering that this went through a fire, then the lack of carbon or char embedded on the melted surfaces is most intriguing. Had the marbles been in a cardboard box, wood box, cloth bag or leather pouch (all organic materials), then their burning would have left carbon residue on all the surfaces. Even the interior surfaces. The corrugated surface reminds me of ceramic kiln paper. Remember to buy the item, not the “story”. -John

Ric, True UV is invisible to the human eye. The purple/blue you see from your light source is of the wavelength that does not cause the elements in the glass to react. Reactive components need invisible wavelengths of 400nm or shorter to fluoresce. Uranium is not the only element to fluoresce under UV. Selenium, Cadmium and Manganese do react to UV, but not as intensely as Uranium. These three components are very common in modern glass. Selenium is found in yellow and orange glass. Cadmium in red glass. Manganese is used to make purple glass. So, it is a misnomer to say you see glass reflecting UV. -John

Merry Christmas everyone!! May you be healthy and have success in 2023!

This goes back to my original conversations with Les Jones in Hannibal 2003, KC 2004 and Amana 2004. We all are constrained by the current laws of physics. Add Occam’s razor to that mix and you have a great conversation on “how did that happen”?