ann Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 Well, I finally managed to get a couple of those crazy Bulgarian "circus target-shooting" marbles for a price I was willing to pay. Not Leighton, transitional, or ground-pontil prices. Will report when they come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeroen Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 I am almost sure they are not old, but very new. But most of these Bulgarian marbles look nice, and if they only cost a few $$ why not buy them. Jeroen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aleecee Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 I bought one too, as a curiosity...will post a pic when I can.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 Cool "Bulgarian Curiosities" That's a great way to describe them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ann Posted June 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 I'm sure they are new, too. I just don't know how new. So far I'm inclined towards the 1950s, maybe the 60s or 70s. Could be later of course. But I can just hear some shifty guy saying to a small-time glassworker: "Hey, I need a bunch of colorful marbles for a circus / carnival target game, Can you make me a bunch?" Whatcha mean by a bunch? "Well, like a bucket full?" Or maybe it's just because my gentleman friend's maternal grandfather was a Gypsy animal trainer with a traveling circus during the 1950s, in Austria, so I'm partial to stories like that. Anyhow, they're bound for my Cabinet of Curiosities . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 I bought some. Received them.They look brand new to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ann Posted June 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 Are they interesting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 They look nice Ann,i'm also thinking they are new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Funky seedy glass and roughly finished. The 8.00 was just a tad high for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Where do people get funky seed glass? Serious question. Is funky glass readily available? Would someone have to stir up a batch on their own? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 I think melting varieties of scrap glass would easily make what I am calling Funky seedy glass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggie Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Thanx, i know for sure that they are not so old. And a new name is born : "Bulgarian Curiosities" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spara50 Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 If you go look at this post: http://marbleconnection.com/topic/17127-marbles-from-bulgaria/?hl=bulgaria I posted pictures of an email I received asking if I wanted to buy marbles from Bulgaria in 2012. It was the first time I had heard of them. I wish now I had bought the lot pictured in my earlier post. I think at first starting in 2012 or so some of the marbles really were older. But after selling what they had, the light bulb of greed went off and they started making new ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Thanks for that reminder, Craig. I remain fascinated. I have moved that thread to the archives, but I'll move it back out if someone bumps it for more conversation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ann Posted June 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 I remain fascinated. Me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aleecee Posted June 8, 2014 Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 Here is my "Bulgarian Curiosity"..it is kind of pretty in a strange sort of way. The glass is certainly very funky with a poor finish on the marble. I bought one with the weird "outie" type pontil. Has lots of bubbles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumblebee Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I have to say that the existence of "outie" pontils is interesting. First off, whether these were made in the 1950s for carnivals or recently for ripping off eBayers, the persons responsible for them clearly messed up in quality control because "outie" pontils render these useless as marbles, fake or otherwise. Since the seller claims they were purchased in bulk for carnivals, then it seems like the buyer got ripped off, or did the buyer intend on grinding these down before giving them as carnival prizes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumblebee Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 A marble seller in the USA is selling some Bulgies as Leightons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBlock Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 IMHO the carnival story is just another ruse thought up for Ebay buyers because their prior stories were getting old. This one will run its course and then they'll think up something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 I asked nicely how they got the Leighton ID. No answer yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 The answer: a friend thats been collecting 30 years problem here is if you go to his feedback you can see he has been buying the marbles from supermarbles, the seller in Bulgaria. Sad how a few bucks can turn so many folks dishonest. Of course they often have a lame excuse to make it OK to themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnome Punter Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 The answer: a friend thats been collecting 30 years problem here is if you go to his feedback you can see he has been buying the marbles from supermarbles, the seller in Bulgaria. Sad how a few bucks can turn so many folks dishonest. Of course they often have a lame excuse to make it OK to themselves. THE UP SIDE!!!! The look a HELL of a lot better than Jabos I would love to have some of these...for about 1.00 a pop.....beyond that BRRTTT nope It is sad that people are so hard up and so INEPT that they will deceive people to make a buck. For the sake of all that is moral, go give Plasma, go mow a damn yard,sell your shoes...do not lie and steal....our society is doomed ! DOOMED I TELL YOU!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronmarbles Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 These look exactly like marbles I have made before out of scrap glass. It is easy to get the bubbles..... His auction photos show a unique glow...I have captured a glow like this many times while photographing glass in my studio.... Not all of his picks show the glow.... Here's the auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-HAND-MADE-LEIGHTON-TRANSITIONAL-MARBLE-15-16-GROUND-PONTIL-/221460637652?pt=Marbles&hash=item33901527d4 Here is another pic that shows it nicely: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstmmrbls Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 Now that is some dog gone good detective work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Brian, very easy to see the furnace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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