metalshelf Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hi: If anyone can help me properly identify this marble, it would be greatly appreciated. It measures 11/16" with transparent green base glass and both oxblood and creamy off-white swirling, mostly on or just below the surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucks_mibs Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 pic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hi: Pics added. Just learning how to do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Gorgeous. Wow. Could we see some shots without the underlighting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hi: Pics without underlighting. Taken in ordinary daylight without flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hi: Pics of same marble taken without underlighting or flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Pictures of marble without backlighting didn't turn out very well in most instances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'llhavethat1 Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Is there a Macro setting on your camera? (the symbol looks like a flower). Might help with the focus. Nice oxblood on that marble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeroen Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hi, does it has a ground pontil? Jeroen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hi: Yes, I use a super macro setting for all pictures of marbles. What is the "flower" symbol that you ( I'llhavethat1) mention. I use a very high end camera, but, find it difficult to get good, clear, close-up pictures with natural daytime lighting inside the house. Any suggestions ? And, in response to Jeroen's question, the answer is yes, the pontil is hand ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romanoak Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hi Bob, If it has a nice faceted pontil in all likelyhood it is German and what we used to refer to as Leighton transitionals and thought they were american. There has been some use of the name Greiner to describe these referring to an early German glass house that they are thought to come from. If in good condition it is a very desirable marble.Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Hi Bill: Thank you for your thoughts, truly appreciated. My thinking is along the same line as yours. Thought I would ask and get the benefit of the experience and knowledge of collectors such as yourself. The single pontil is hand-ground/faceted. In terms of condition, there is a thin cold roll line at the end opposite the pontil ( viewable in the pictures ), as well as, a rippling effect in the glass at the bottom of the marble which you would expect to see in an old marble that has not been buffed or polished. There is also one very, very small and shallow ( what I believe to be ) tear drop shaped air bubble pop. Otherwise, the marble has no other anomolies. The surface is almost perfect. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage-28 Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Definitely a hand gathered, ground pontil. I love the deep, thick layers of ox....great marble! I really like these in the blue and green glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manylittle Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Unless you use a light box, it is hard, even with a great camera. I read a really good tutorial once that said to use a tripod and a remote to actually take the pictures, then open up the camera to the smallest number after you have put it on manual and focus it to look as sharp as you can, and set the timer to be on for at least a minute, this guy set his for three. By that, I mean that the aperature that lets the light in would be open for that long...I wish I knew the language, the proper wording for this, but I don't...Just think of the opposite of action shots where you would want the fastest shot to stop the motion. In this one you would do the same thing you would if you were taking a picture of rapids in the water and you wanted everything to look flowing rather than capturing tiny instant of time. I have not tried it yet as I don't have a remote, but I've got one on order and I am going to try it. Right now, I just use a tripod and I use a flashlight and train it on the marble from different angles especially if I am taking pictures inside at night. I use a lot of trial and error to get the best picture that I can and I still mess things up. After a while my eyes get tired and I have trouble making sure that my pictures are a sharp as they can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Would you try a flash pic with the marble on a cloth background. Grey works the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Hi: I'll try a flash pic using a tripod and place the marble on a grey cloth background and post it in the morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadely1212 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 http://morphyauctions.auctionflex.com/showlot.ap?co=31120&weid=14644&weiid=5206478&archive=n&keyword=oxblood&lso=lotnumasc&pagenum=1〈=En check this link out i think this is the same marble... i had this marble once... sold it to a guy in maryland he then sold it to someone in Canada i think... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Hi: This is the exact same marble that was sold by Morphy's a number of years ago. I bought it from a dealer at the Brimfield Show last September and he is from Maryland. I have dealt with him often in the past. I live in Canada ( quite cold and lots of snow right now ) and have been buying and selling marbles on eBay and at certain U.S. Marble Shows since 2004. Pictures on the Morphy site are much better than mine, in fact, you can see the asmade mark that I refer to in their 3rd picture. Undoubtedly, wadely1212 was the person who contacted me last year when I had this marble up for sale on eBay ( not sold ). He said that he purchased this marble from Morphy's and later sold it to a dealer from Maryland. Nice to see the Morphy link because I couldn't find it. Would still like to know if experienced collectors of these type marbles agree with romanoak and I, or, do you think American made "Leighton Transitionals" are a reality ? Appreciate your comments. Bob (Metalshelf) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeroen Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Hi Bob, you might find your answer here: http://marbleconnection.com/topic/17673-transitionals-marbles-or-handmade-single-gather-marbles/?hl=%2Btransitional+%2Bmarbles Jeroen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Hi Jeroen: Extremely interesting research and exchange of dialogue on this type glass marble. I was certainly not aware that there was this much information available on these early German hand-mades. Has significantly added to my knowledge base and I truly appreciate you sending it to me. Best regards, Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTAndrea Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Didn't I see this marble on ebay recently? Kept watching it but it was so unfamiliar to me, I didn't dare bid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 You saw correctly. I did have this marble on eBay last Fall, but, it didn't sell. Probably had it priced too high, although Morphy's Auction put a $500.00 to $800.00 pre-auction estimate on it ( also probably too high ). Marble sold at auction for $431.00 in 2010. Also, these type German marbles, that probably date to somewhere between 1820 and 1850, are seldom seen on eBay and there are lots of collectors who are uncertain as to their identity and origins, so, like yourself, they do not bid ( better safe than sorry ). That is why I posted this marble in this forum........to get the benefit of the experience and knowledge of the seasoned collectors and dealers who use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdesousa Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 You saw correctly. I did have this marble on eBay last Fall, but, it didn't sell. Probably had it priced too high, although Morphy's Auction put a $500.00 to $800.00 pre-auction estimate on it ( also probably too high ). Marble sold at auction for $431.00 in 2010. Also, these type German marbles, that probably date to somewhere between 1820 and 1850, are seldom seen on eBay and there are lots of collectors who are uncertain as to their identity and origins, so, like yourself, they do not bid ( better safe than sorry ). That is why I posted this marble in this forum........to get the benefit of the experience and knowledge of the seasoned collectors and dealers who use it. Bob, Thanks for posting this marble; it's a beauty. However, it's not true that they are seldom seen on eBay. A cursory search shows 7 up right now: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=leighton+marbles+-tile&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xleighton+marbles+rare&_nkw=leighton+marbles+rare&_sacat=0 and there have been many more listed in the past. Those under an inch are found on solitaire boards in the UK, mixed in with regular (and usually nicer) handmade swirls. That's why I'm surprised you date them as early as 1820. Where did you get that date from? regards, Hansel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTAndrea Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Hansel, this discussion points up the fact that there is so much conflicting information in the hobby. I used to urge Les Jones to write a book based on what he'd learned in his many years of collecting but alas, he had that unfortunate accident years ago. Then I started bugging Alan Basinet to write a book.....guess he's up in Marble Heaven with Great Marbles Jones. How about YOU? Is there a book in you? And PS, I still love the Greiner/Leighton marble I got at a marble show quite a few years ago that was actually yours. Can't remember who was selling it for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalshelf Posted January 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Hi Hansel: Hope you didn't think I pulled the 1820 date out of thin air. May I refer you to link #19 above provided by Jeroen. Also, I used the word "probably" when referring to the dates 1820 to 1850. If you have documented information that disputes or proves otherwise, I, for one, would be very interested in adding to my knowledge base, even if it is theoretical with a lot of assumptions. I am told you are a wealth of information on the subject of marbles. You should write a book as suggested by VTAndrea. Also, I am fully aware that there are 7 "Leighton Transitional" Marbles listed currently on eBay. All of which were listed by the same seller that we are both familiar with. 6 of these were listed about 3 days ago, and, the 7th was listed about 2 days ago. Out of curiosity, when was the last time you saw this type of marble listed on eBay with either a green or cobalt blue transparent glass base ? Have a pleasant evening, Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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