Marbles Identification and Price Guide

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.

Lots of information along with many color pictures. Happy with my purchase.

This is probably the best book available for those who intend to collect or trade in marbles. Not sure about the pricing looks a bit outdated but... until somethimg better comes along... this'll do.

Loved this

Excellent book for identifying my marbles. Thanks

This is a very nice book from Amazon. It is well planned, very comprehensive & nicely illustrated with many quality photographs. One feature that I especially appreciated is that every photo has a caption directly below it. As I am a beginner to the hobby, at least in regard to what the many varied marbles are called, and to who manufactured what and when, this book really helped me to acquire a good over-view of just those facts. One of the very few ways in which the book might've been improved, is if a few more examples of each company's marbles could've been shown. I do realize that many of these marbles are scarce & that space was limited. Another feature that I liked is that most of the photos were extra-large, likely larger than actual size. The book featured a large typeface as well. This wasn't the first book that I purchased as an introduction to the hobby, but it certainly is the best yet.

this book is a pretty good reference for newer marbles even though it does tell some about the older marbles. in my opinion, it does not go into enough of current value and I was really interested in older marbles. the book puts too much emphasis on mint condition, not what most people's marbles condition is. don't know whose fault it was, but it took forever to get to me and sent very confusing tracking info. to me while in transit.

This was very helpful when we started identifying our marbles.

Superb book, interesting reading..

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!

Lots of great pics.

Helped I'd some old marbles that I bought

Very nice book, unfortunately for somebody living in the UK, it is not very helpful as it is almost totally geared to the US market, featuring mostly American-produced marbles with values quoted in US dollars and only a very small section devoted to UK and European marbles. This is not made apparent in the description of the book.