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Collecting Handmade Marbles

By Wheeler | May 2, 2008

Some time ago I watched a program on T.V. about how glass marbles are made. This particular manufacturer has been making marbles for over a century. They make them partially by hand and partially by machine.

As with many things that are collectible, handmade usually fetches a better return on investment. Think of the handmade quilts, beds, dressers, etc that are handmade by the Amish every year. They are immediately more expensive to buy outright, and their value does not decline with age. My bed, the moment that I took it off the showroom floor, was worth substantially less than I paid for it.

Handmade marbles are no different. Collectors of marbles search far and wide to find the most unique and most often beautiful handmade or even machine made marbles. It is amazing how these marbles have stood the test of time, many games under their belts and are still striking!

Marbles are a great treasure to find in those random places such as thrift store, antique stores, and garage sales. I’ve taken a second to find a few eBay listings just to give you an idea of the collectible nature of marbles.

antique-lot-hand-made-victorian-1870-s-marbles- ANTIQUE LOT HAND MADE VICTORIAN 1870'S MARBLES
US $40.01 (3 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 16:04:12 PST
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marbles-two-mint-small-handmade-latticinos MARBLES: TWO MINT SMALL HANDMADE LATTICINOS
US $9.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 16:50:07 PST
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marbles-two-mint-small-handmade-latticinos MARBLES: TWO MINT SMALL HANDMADE LATTICINOS
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 16:58:06 PST
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25-late-1800-s-hand-made-clay-marbles-various-shades 25 Late 1800's Hand Made Clay Marbles-Various Shades
US $2.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 17:22:51 PST
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marbles-antique-handmade-transparent-banded-lutz-marble Marbles-Antique Handmade Transparent Banded Lutz Marble
US $75.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:01:54 PST
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marbles-beautiful-antique-german-handmade-indian-swirl Marbles-Beautiful Antique German Handmade Indian Swirl
US $35.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:03:32 PST
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marbles-beautiful-antique-german-handmade-indian-swirl Marbles-Beautiful Antique German Handmade Indian Swirl
US $48.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:05:51 PST
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marbles-antique-german-handmade-pee-wee-submarine Marbles-Antique German Handmade Pee Wee Submarine
US $99.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:06:56 PST
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marbles-antique-german-handmade-latticinio-white-core Marbles-Antique German Handmade Latticinio White Core
US $14.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:07:16 PST
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marbles-beautiful-antique-german-handmade-indian-maglit Marbles-Beautiful Antique German Handmade Indian Maglit
US $75.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:09:43 PST
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Topics: Collectible Pricing, Collecting, collectibles, vintage stuff |

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