Akro or Vitro?

[Marbleized]

I think this marble is either an Akro or a Vitro. Akro because of the seams and colors. Vitro because of the marks that look like lines where the machine didn't evenly spread the colored glass onto the base. I seem to see that a lot in Vitros. The size is .73". Sticking to those two even if there are a couple of other options. I would appreciate any help. Thank you!!

[Fire1981]

My gut says Vitro FWIW

[wvrons]

I agree with Vitro. No part of the marble machine spreads any glass onto the base glass. The marble machine is just a set of grooved rollers which make the hot glass glob round. The base glass and colors come together upstream, well before the hot glass glob hits the marble machine rollers.  The colors can be added to the base glass inside the main furnace from the front top or at the front end sides of the main furnace.  Or just before the glass stream exits the furnace outlet orfice feeding the hot glass to the shear. Then the elongated orange hot glass glob falls from the shear down into a cup with a hole in the bottom or tube to the marble machine rollers. Where it is rounded into a marble. The marble machines only job is to make the hot glass glob round. It takes a different marble machine with different size rollers for each size marble made.  Making 7/8 inch marbles and switch to 5/8 inch. Roll out or remove the 7/8 machine and roll in the 5/8 size roller machine under the furnace outlet. All the time while the 1800 degree F glass is constantly flowing. While a marble machine is out from under the furnace, the hot glass is puddled on the floor or into a metal catch can. The hot glass puddle is pulled out of the way and the different size marble machine is moved in under the furnace outlet. The hot glass puddle may be 50lbs. or 300lbs. depending on time. That is moved outside to cool or water added at a distance to fracture it for disposal later.  Marble machines are moved in and out under the furnace outlet often. When some problems happen, the machine has to be moved out of the way to correct the problem.  A marble machine operator  is a very hot dangerous job, with the lowest pay. Marbles were and are very very cheap kids toys. Much less than a penny each.  Millions made by many companies per week. 

[Marbleized]

14 hours ago, wvrons said:

I agree with Vitro. No part of the marble machine spreads any glass onto the base glass. The marble machine is just a set of grooved rollers which make the hot glass glob round. The base glass and colors come together upstream, well before the hot glass glob hits the marble machine rollers.  The colors can be added to the base glass inside the main furnace from the front top or at the front end sides of the main furnace.  Or just before the glass stream exits the furnace outlet orfice feeding the hot glass to the shear. Then the elongated orange hot glass glob falls from the shear down into a cup with a hole in the bottom or tube to the marble machine rollers. Where it is rounded into a marble. The marble machines only job is to make the hot glass glob round. It takes a different marble machine with different size rollers for each size marble made.  Making 7/8 inch marbles and switch to 5/8 inch. Roll out or remove the 7/8 machine and roll in the 5/8 size roller machine under the furnace outlet. All the time while the 1800 degree F glass is constantly flowing. While a marble machine is out from under the furnace, the hot glass is puddled on the floor or into a metal catch can. The hot glass puddle is pulled out of the way and the different size marble machine is moved in under the furnace outlet. The hot glass puddle may be 50lbs. or 300lbs. depending on time. That is moved outside to cool or water added at a distance to fracture it for disposal later.  Marble machines are moved in and out under the furnace outlet often. When some problems happen, the machine has to be moved out of the way to correct the problem.  A marble machine operator  is a very hot dangerous job, with the lowest pay. Marbles were and are very very cheap kids toys. Much less than a penny each.  Millions made by many companies per week. 

WVRons, you've just created such a vivid picture in my mind about what went into making marbles in a factory. Certainly dangerous work to be appreciated. My marbles are even more precious to me than they were a minute ago. Just so much to learn historically, while learning about marble history. And, yes, now that you point it out, it makes sense that this would be a Vitro. You are a walking encyclopedia (and I mean that in a very respectful way)! Thank you so much for sharing!

[Marbleized]

16 hours ago, Fire1981 said:

My gut says Vitro FWIW

Vitro it is! Thanks Fire1981!