Transparent Marble Show Off Trays

If you want a safe and snug place to store and show off your marbles at the same time, I recommend these transparent marble show off trays.

When I get a new batch of marbles, I spread out several of these to use for the initial sorting. I also use them for long-term storage.

Each has 35 pockets to safely store 5/8" - 3/4" marbles, and each has a slide-on see-through cover to hold them in place snugly. You can squeeze 7/8" marbles in these too.

Besides being small and light, these trays are transparent which allows the light come in from all angles. Marbles look better in these trays and you can safely "rattle" them around, allowing the marbles to roll side-to-side for better viewing angles.

You can pick them up over at Land of Marbles. I wish they were cheaper, but if you buy in larger quantities the price drops.

Another Big Marble Auction May 21st

Morphy Auctions will be holding yet another impressive marble auction May 21st.  396 lots will be available to bidders online and in-person. As always, their online catalog images are top notch and should not to be missed by anyone interested in marbles.

The bulk of the marbles are vintage handmades, such as this Navarre Horizontal Swirl and this Green Glass Rearing Horse Sulphide which is estimated to bring $5,000 or more. Machine made marble collectors will find plenty of temptation from lots such as this original box of Christensen World's Best Guinea Marbles (if you have around $10,000 or more to spare) and a delicious looking Christensen Red Devil marble.

Besides these gems are quite a few contemporary handmade marbles as well as vintage marble packaging and memorabilia.

If you can't be in Denver, PA to bid on these, don't forget that you can bid online. Good luck!

Huge Marble Auction on April 30th

There will be a public auction of an impressive marble collection at The Wyndham Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday, April 30th.

Up for grabs are dozens of impressive handmade and sulphide marbles, many original boxes, marble tournament medals and assorted marble games and memorabilia. There are several nice looking machine made marble lots too, as well as some cute pee wees.

If you can make it, you will stand a great chance at getting a deal with an auction this size. If anything, go early just to preview the collection with your own eyes.

Check out the full marble auction gallery over at AuctionZip.

Song from 1751 about Playing Marbles

Here is a cute song about playing marbles from 1751, the same year the Liberty Bell was commissioned. It's from a book of songs for children titled Puerilia by John Marchant and published in London.

The songs were intended to entertain children while teaching them a moral lesson, in this case that time spent reading books is more valuable than time spent playing marbles.

These days I fear I am spending more time with my marble collection than my books. Perhaps I will find a happy medium and read my marble books more.

Brother Tommy, come on,
Your Marbles lay down;
Don't spare me,
Nor fear me,
So long as I've one.

They are smooth, neat and round,
How they fly, frisk and bound!
I'll thump 'em
And plump 'em
While a Marble is found.

But before we begin,
Place 'em round in a Ring;
I'll fright 'em
And smite 'em
While my Thumb has a Spring.

How I spank 'em about!
Some are in and some out,
I'll smack 'em
And thwack 'em,
And soon put 'em to rout.

Now to finish the Game,
At your Taw I will aim;
I have it!
I brave it!
And Huzzah is my Name.

But 'tis Time to have done,
The Clock has struck one;
'Tis over,
Come Brother,
Now to School let us run.

For there I am sure
We shall learn a deal more,
Each looking
His Book in,
Than by playing an Hour.

You can read the original text here on Google Books.

2011 Orange County Marble Show This Weekend

This Saturday, March 19, is the 5th annual Orange County Marble Show.  This is the only marble show in California so don't miss this one-day opportunity to see, buy and learn about vintage and contemporary marbles!

Many talented contemporary glass artists will be selling their spherical works of art, so bring along your friends and family to this unique event. You can even bring along your marbles for a free appraisal.

The show runs from 9 - 4 PM and admission is $5. Parking is free.

2011 Orange County Marble Show

Location: Howard Johnson Hotel (formerly Anaheim Park Hotel)

Address: 222 W. Houston Ave. Fullerton, CA  92832

For further details contact Rich Shelby at 951 212 4435 or richshelby at ca.rr.com