|
M.F. Christensen is the oldest manufacturer of glass marbles in the United States and the first to incorporate the use of machines in their production. While the process greatly increased the speed at which marbles could be produced, the final output still depended on a worker spinning the glob of molted glass on the end of a punty. This spinning caused the "9" and tail pattern on the marble by which we can now recognize the maker.
As with the rest of the population, the great majority of the workers were right handed and the way they spun the marble created the "9" at one pole. This example, as shown in the first image, shows that the "9" shape is reversed and was clearly made by a left-handed worker. The result is that it is exceptionally unusual to find one of his examples. In addition to the left-hand twist, and the age of the marble, there is also the size to consider: MFC marbles of one inch or larger are seldom seen and most of those are made of amber colored glass. This example is only 13/1,000" less than a full inch and a beautiful deep forest green color. In addition to all that, marbles of this size would clearly be a prized shooter for the youngsters to carry around. How this very rare marble has survived for well over 100 years and still be in the condition that it left the factory is a mystery indeed. CONDITION: MINT 9.4 Wet Shiny surface with just the slightest whisper of very faint wear. There are a few, again very small, melted as-mades and a couple of cold roll lines. The enlarged images show the condition quite accurately. You may click here to view the grading system I use. Size 24.87mm or 0.987" at the equator. | |||||
|
 Bargains $2-$25 |
 Agate |
 Christensen Agate |
 Peltier Glass Co. |
 M.F. Christensen |
 West Virginia |
 Home Page |
 Machine Made |
 Antique Handmade |
 Contemporary Handmade |
 All Marbles |
 Ebay Auctions |