En: Masonic Marbles
Masonic Marbles
Source: Phoenixmasonry
Here is a cute collectible that is in big demand. This marble has the Square and Compasses with the Letter "G" formed right into the glass. It is one inch in diameter and sits on its own clear glass stand.
When marble collecting became really popular in the 1980s, all kinds of people rushed to produce marbles with "pictures" on them. These pictures typically were corporate symbols or logos for beverages, cars and the like, (Coke collecting was also popular at the time.) plus any other image that might potentially prove marketable.
One reason new "picture marbles" were introduced was in an effort to capitalize on the fact that genuine, older picture marbles existed (shown above), and were quite rare. A series of cartoon characters was produced in the 1930s, and there are a few old advertiser types from that era as well. On the older picture marbles, the illustrations are a dark brownish black, and look almost like they have been branded into the surface of an otherwise normal, multi-colored, opaque, standard-sized, machine made marble.
New "picture marbles" are typically large, opaque white machine made marbles an inch or more in diameter. Designs are applied by a transfer-like technique to their exterior surface. Unless the logo being represented uses only one color in addition to white, the designs applied to the surfaces of the marbles typically involve multiple colors, whatever seems appropriate to the subject.
A special "Thanks" to Brother Steve Kapp (kalbo on Ebay) for submitting the pictures of his wonderful Marble Collection. Steve is a Master Mason and a Masonic Collector who is affiliated with the below listed Masonic bodies:
- Leonard Wood Lodge No. 105, Angeles City, Philippines
- Cavite York Rite, Cavite, Philippines
- Okinawa Scottish Rite, Okinawa, Japan (Valley of Okinawa and Guam) Aloha Temple, Honolulu, Hawaii
