Comprehensive Marble Identification & Price Guide - Collectible Glass Marbles for Kids, Games & Home Decor

Very informative as to what rare versus vintage contains. Could use more examples of old versus new.A gift for a friend with a new marble collector. We is learning and said the book has helped him a lot.I've resold and collected marbles for just over half a year now, so I'm a novice, and while using auction sites, marble identification sites, and collector forums helped me with some of the very basic knowledge, I quickly realized what a hollow online resources are. The marble forums, in particular, where you think you could get advice for the finer details of marble identification, end up being a collection of know-it-alls who don't qualify or source their information at all, and are quickly offended if you question their advice at all, no matter how friendly you are. I've learned to steer clear, or not post my own threads and just try to do very thorough background research in the forums on my own.In reading this book, I've discovered that, indeed, a lot of these experts online are misinformed or didn't provide enough information, or in the right context. This book is unbiased and gives very clear, concise information on marbles and their approximate prices in relation to each other. I've actually discovered now that my Ebay sales mostly mirror the prices given in this guide, more-so than other guides. This guide also gives you some identification guidance as well, but I really like how it says early on that there is no 'official' grading service for marbles, that some marbles are hard if not impossible to specifically identify to a maker or origin, and most people do use their personal experience and educated judgement to sell marbles. This book is only a guide, just like the others, and there is no definitive rule in marble collecting..The marble world is fallible and full of holes, especially to resellers who need to know specifics to maximize their profit for picky collectors. This book provided the most guidance for me that I have found as of yet, and I have purchased two other well-known marble guides now as well. You're best bet to unbiased, experienced advice and guidance is right here. I bought my copy used from a public library and it was in very nice, usable condition, so don't be afraid to buy it used if price is a bit of an issue, just make sure you're getting the most recent edition you can, so the marble prices are as accurate as they can be.And as a final note, don't be afraid to visit antique conventions, where at least a couple marble collectors usually hang out, and sometimes there may even be a marble community in your local area that has regular conventions, flea markets, and swap meets of their own. Hands-on experience is the best way to learn in this field, and when you meet marble enthusiasts face to face, they are much easier going than the online crowd, and can give you much better advice in person than through photos and text.New to the mArbleCollecting family . This is a good guide to help a collecting newbie or expertNice comprehensive book.Lots of good information.Very informative. A very good book for a novice collector or even the serious.Cover was damaged but all of the pages inside were in great condition.lots and lots of photos but it does not get down to the core these marbles all differ yet manyare very close in style some diagrams showing the different production methods how the glasswas folded etc would have helped to id the manufacturers also these manufacturers copiedeach other so say take an orange black swirl from 3 rivals show them next to each otherobviously the colours will vary but the difference in how these firms differed in their production methodscould be better explained the author write on these matters but trying to compare marbles10 pages apart doesn't work obviously every marble cant be covered like this but an attempt wouldbe nice. at a marble show a seller could place 4 marbles from different firms side by sideto point out differences also some side by side photos of genuine rare marbles and fakes would be gooda good attempt at a vast subject but not halfway thereI bought this for my wife who collects marbles. She finds them in car boot sales and auctions.This book is US based but lots of US made marbles turn up in this country so it is a useful identification and price guide although it is a little out of date and in US dollars.The book is well produced with accurate pictures and descriptions of each class of marble. It seems best to look up current values online on one of the marble collectors sites.Overall a useful if US biased book on the fascinating world of marbles.Superb book, interesting reading..I found this book to provide some interesting historical background for the various manufacturers of marbles. The price guide is helpful, but somewhat dated as prices change. I found the book was disappointing in its pictoral examples and was lacking compared to some online sites, Over-all the book is a good general reference.Robert Block is the Marble Expert! I bought this book and the suggested one "Marble Mania", great suggestion Amazon! Thank you!I am a beach comber for beach glass, the combination of these two books has been great to help me date and name the company who created the beauties I find on the beach. Thanks!