Marble Collecting Appraisal

Blue and Black Swirl Glass Marble

The item is a machine-made glass marble, likely a 'Cat's Eye' or a variation thereof, characterized by its distinctive blue and black coloration with internal swirling patterns. Its physical characteristics include a perfectly spherical shape and a smooth, polished glass surface. The diameter appears to be between 1 and 1.5 cm based on its proportion in the hand, placing it in the common 'shooter' or 'player' size range. The primary body of the marble is a deep, translucent black or very dark blue, through which vibrant streaks of electric blue and lighter gray or black glass are visible, creating a dynamic, almost iridescent effect. These internal structures are typical of vintage machine-made marbles, where different colors of molten glass were swirled together during production. There are no immediately visible chips, cracks, or significant abrasions on its surface, suggesting it is in good to very good condition for a vintage plaything. Minimal surface wear, such as light scuffing or tiny pinprick nicks, might be present upon closer inspection, which is common for marbles that have been played with. There are no discernible maker's marks or signatures, which is typical for mass-produced glass marbles of this era. Given the context of 'vintage marbles' and the visible manufacturing style, it likely dates from the mid-20th century, possibly from the 1950s to 1970s. The craftsmanship is indicative of standard industrial glass marble production, focusing on uniformity and visual appeal for play, rather than artisanal uniqueness. The swirling blue and black patterns make it visually appealing and somewhat unique among a collection of marbles.