Mojo! Thank you SOOOO much for opening up a whole new world of marbles for me. I'm now watching the Stephen Bahr interviews with the founders of El Aguila and Vacor, and I'm finding other marbles that were in the same bag with this boulder. So you solved multiple mysteries because I found these tiny cats eyes and brushed patch marbles that didn't look American, Asian, or like anything I've seen so far (I'm still a learner though!). And, I hadn't thought to shine a blacklight on them but I did and found they do contain cadmium glass!
You have really opened up the world of Mexican marbles -- they are incredibly beautiful. One of the graphics in the video mentions the "frilled" pattern in the core of the marble, and that's part of what blew my mind and made me leap to the idea that this must be hand made. They look like Sparklers, but with more vivid colors. Incredible.
I was just wondering - can you confirm about the size - at 35mm (about 1.4") is beyond typical for American marbles during the earlier period when El Aguila was producing marbles, I thought, but like I say I'm learning! I can't find as much info as you find about the American machine mades.
Also, El Aguila has the orange peel texture (at least sometimes)? If you have any references you'd recommend, I'm eager to learn more!
Anyway, I just want to thank you for solving this for me!
You're THE BEST!