Vocabulary questions

[SequoiaBET]

What is the generally accepted cut off date between "vintage" and "modern" marbles? I always think around 1970- is that accurate? And does this apply to foreign made marbles as well? I know it can be hard to pin down the exact date any marble was made so there is a gray zone here.

Also, what is an "Asian Pincher" marble? Does it refer to marbles where the poles are pinched together as you see in the so called "Asian Bomber" types? Or is it something else entirely?

[Al Oregon]

Pinchers are the type like these Chinese Checkers.

[Fire1981]

Here’s the definition but I consider pre ‘70’s marbles as to being vintage. Even though it’s 2026 I don’t consider Jabo Classic as being vintage marbles. 🔥

RAR

[akroorka]

Antique is over 100 years old--always has been imho.

Vintage goes back at least 30 years back to 99 years.

The term "Vintage" may also include that which was made and still made--just an older version of the same.

You can have some "Vintage" Marble Kings vs newer ones and "Vintage" Vacor marbles vs newer ones and so on.

As an example--a Vacor Atmosphere is "Vintage". They quit making them--but they are still out there as such--to be collected.

An Akro Cork is no longer made and they are pushing on being antiques--still vintage--most of them at least--they are getting pretty close to being antiques--all but a few.

German handmades are all antiques (the real ones), Clays and Chinas, most are antique (there are some fakes out there).

Benningtons are all antique. As far as I now now one had the desire to copy "Bennies"--they are still a low dollar but collectable marble imho. I just love-em

I hope that this helps to confuse you more--.

I have collected many things in my life--but this has been my standard.

Marble--On!!

[SequoiaBET]

Thanks for the input on "vintage" folks. I'd welcome others thoughts too.

I have heard the 20 years or older = vintage, but that means JABO contract runs are 2 years away from being vintage, let alone the classics that already are well over 20 years. I agree with you Fire, I personally can't call those vintage (and I love JABO's). And maybe it's just my personal taste (or age!), but the marbles being made in the 80' and 90's don't seem vintage to me either.

Are there other terms that marble collectors use specifically to denote eras of marbles? I think of things like "Antique German" to represent the old (German) handmades and "transitionals" for the hand-gathered and machine rounded marbles made in many countries. But what about after that? The quality and type of marble being made by CAC or Akro is very different from a 1990's Imperial or Marble King- yet they are all "vintage machine made" now? There are definitely different stages and qualities to marble history in the last 100 years. Maybe the answer is that broad categories aren't that helpful, while specifics about a marble are. 

Just thinking out loud and trying to better understand some of the terms I hear being used...

[SequoiaBET]

9 hours ago, Al Oregon said:

Pinchers are the type like these Chinese Checkers.

Thanks Al. So what makes these pinchers? Is it the pinched look of the glass at the poles? 

[Al Oregon]

Yes

[SequoiaBET]

Thanks Al!