Pinx

Wow, Roger. That was an incredible tutorial! Thanks for taking the time. Elizabeth

Wish I could take credit for Squid Ink, but I think it was Roningeorgia who coined that term. Elizabeth

I've seen lots of foreign cat's eyes with that "squid ink" effect. I think I heard an explanation once, but can't recall it now. Also, there are some Marble Kings that have a "shadow" patch and ribbon style superimposed over the cat's eye. I've only seen the ribbons in a very light black. However, yours doesn't look like the MK (which would be much rarer), so I'd go with foreign. Elizabeth

Good info. Thanks! (And adorable pup, too!) Elizabeth

Hope there's a disclaimer on that tequila bottle, "Risk of choking. Not to be used by children under three" Elizabeth

Here's one I purchased from David Chamberlain prior to obtaining the box. He identified it as a Master Cat, but those found in the box solidified the identification for me. Elizabeth

Here's a group of Master cats that I purchased in the NO. 5 box. I believe them to be original to the box. Here's a link to a discussion on Master Glass/Master Marble on Marble Mental that fits in with this discussion: MMM vs. MG On this thread, you can see that Don (Poplarhead) posted a pic of a box and marbles very similar to mine. Just goes to show you that Master made colorful, eye pleasing cats at some point in their history Elizabeth

I have several like that also. I've always considered them to be Vitro Whities. With the rarity of the Kokomos, it doesn't make sense that I would end up with several of them. Elizabeth

Great document, Roger. Thanks for sharing! Elizabeth

I want to say that the 1920's - 30's were when the Czech beads were used in the African trade. I almost said that in my earlier post, but didn't want to rely solely on my memory. Since Ken shared info on the same time period, I feel more confident with my memory! Elizabeth P.S. Just found this to verify the 1920's as the time period these bullet mold beads were made. Also info on Czech glassmaking on this site: Czech Glass

Here are some Czech-made beads that are made in the bullet mold style: These were used as trade beads in Africa in a very specific location/tribe. I used to know all the history of African trade beads, but now I can't even remember the time frame these were made in. These teardrop shaped beads were used in a wedding ritual for a specific tribe. I have it all written down somewhere, if I could only remember where! Elizabeth

The first pic contains some of the most common banana colors, with the exception of the "pumpkin" one (second from left top). I put it in this pic so the contrast with the orange and red would be apparent. Here's some double ingots: And here's some oddballs, hybrids, weird colors, oxblood lines, etc: Elizabeth

Sent you a friend request. I've looked for other marble collectors on MySpace before with no luck. Elizabeth

John, at the mileage I get, the value of those marbles might get me to the mall and back. Let's see the purples!!!!! Elizabeth

Here's a pair of one inchers from my collection: Elizabeth

There's a wealth of information here too: Marble Mental Record-Breaking Cat's Eye Thread I just realized that this thread is almost a year old and people are still adding to it. Unfortunately, because of its age, some of the pictures may have been removed from the picture host by the author. Still, there are lots of incredibly rare cats that you won't see in any of the books. Elizabeth

Wow! Thanks, Dani. I asked the same question on MM a few months back (slag vs. transparent swirl) and got several answers. They were all along the lines of "Heck if I know" . This really helps. Elizabeth

In the same article by Chuck Brandstetter, he closes by saying, "Other Vitro marble designs such as Blackies, Black Line All Reds, Yellow Jackets, and probably All Reds appear to have been manufactured in the same pattern and construction as Tiger Eyes. (You decide)" BTW, Chuck wrote a follow up article on Tiger Eyes for the December 2006 issue. In this article, he uses charts and color graphs to illustrrate the frequency counts for the various color combinations in the Tiger Eyes. He came up with 57 different varieties. Elizabeth

Half and half means there's a seam on each side. The ribbon, even when it's the same color, appears to have two halves. According to the article, the white half and half ribbons were veneered onto white base glass. Chuck et al broke open some of the type 4s to verify. I agree with the comment that everyone should join the WVMCC. Their newsletters are worth the membership fees alone. I have them all in a ring binder for easy reference. The digitized version on CD is a wonderful idea. Elizabeth

Vacor is not the only Mexican marble manufacturer, they are just the only one that we've heard of because of their success in aggressively marketing their products internationally. Living a two hour drive from Mexico, I've been able buy marbles there from several different manufacturers. I think I've read somewhere that Mexico has several hundred marble factories, so it's not safe to assume that just because a marble is made in Mexico, that it was made by Vacor. Actually, Vacor is starting to buy marbles from China. For those of you who may not have seen this, it is a list of text corrections for the "American Machine-Made Marbles" book by Six, Metzler, and Johnson. Read the section on Vacor: Text Corrections Elizabeth

Interesting information, Roger! Maybe one day you'll be able to write the definitive book on Canadian marble production! Elizabeth

David Chamberlain provided me with a list of corrections, some of which were sent to the publisher of American Machine-Made Marbles by Six, Metzler, and Johnson. Unfortunately, the publisher did not make the corrections before the book went to press. I have received permission to publish these on Marble Mental. Here's the link: Text Corrections Elizabeth

What a cutie! Elizabeth

Here's one I have listed on eBay that closes tonight. It has the Liquid Paper-like white base that CACs are known for: CAC White Base Elizabeth

Still waiting on mine. I e-mailed Schiffer and they said it shipped on the 10th. Maybe tomorrow... Elizabeth