Auction Details
Marble CyberAuction #1104 is the beginning of the Joe Rocco collection. This collection will take 3 or 4 auctions to get through.
Joe owned Strider Records in Greenwich Village and began collecting in the 1960s. (Go to http://jazzcollector.com/guest-columns/guest-column-more-tales-of-the-hunt/#more-3520 to see a great story about a record deal Joe was involved in. All the marbles in this auction came out of the basement described at the end of the story). He was known in The Village (and throughout the metropolitan area) to be a marble collector. Customers would often bring marbles into the store in the 70s and 80s and trade them for records. He also frequented the Manhattan flea markets. Can you imagine what it must have been like to go to flea markets back in the 1970s and 1980s? I can still remember Joe and his wife, Marie, coming to the marble shows that my dad held in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Joe passed away in 1993 and Marie packed the entire collection into boxes and put them in the basement of their house. Nothing was touched in the intervening 19 years. I found the boxes still stacked the way they were back in 1993. When I started unpacking boxes I found a number of marbles that we had auctioned back in the late 1980s and early 1990s in Block’s Box Absentee Marble Auctions 1 through 9.
This collection offers a unique window into marble collecting habits prior to the explosion of interest in marbles in the 1990s. Back in the 70s and 80s, marble collecting was still in its infancy as a hobby. Many antique dealers considered them a novelty and didn't take the hobby seriously. This stage of the hobby was prior to the point where the really colorful and Mint handmades were coming over from Europe, and before the Berlin Wall came down. It was very difficult to find quality handmade marbles at that time. Large Mint handmades were especially rare, and many collectors bought damaged handmades and had them polished. In addition, virtually no one was collecting machine made marbles. The Larry Castle/Marlow Peterson book did not come out until 1989 and knowledge of machine made companies and product lines was very limited.
Joe was a true collector. He bought what he liked and what appealed to him. He wasn't in the hobby as an investment, he reveled in the sheer joy of having beautiful marbles to look at. Many of the large handmades, as is typical of this period, are polished so that you can see the internal design. There are a lot of handmade rarities in this collection, although all are not Mint. On the machine made side, Joe liked colors and patterns, so there is an interesting predominance of Christensen Agates and very early Alleys. There are also the more typical Akros and Peltiers. Joe also bought contemporaries that he liked. Since his collection froze at 1993, there are not many contemporaries, and only very early artists are represented. In addition, most of the contemporaries are not signed, as this did not become the norm until later in the 1990s.
Everything is offered as it came out of the boxes. In a number of instances there are still price tags and inventory tags on the marbles that he bought at marble shows.
Choose Your Layout >
1Marbles: Lot #1. Sulphide, Fox. 2-1/8". Polished.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
SULPHIDE. Figure is a fox in a defensive crouch. Excellent detail to the figure. Slightly off center. Air bubble on the back of the figure. The marble
Estimate : 125.00 - 250.00
Sold to mjsoileau for 80.00
2Marbles: Lot #2. Sulphide. Rooster. 2-1/16". Polished.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
SULPHIDE. Figure is a rooster. Excellent detail to the figure. Well-centered. The marble has been buffed. A couple of tiny chips and some pitting rema
Estimate : 110.00 - 225.00
Sold to mjsoileau for 70.00
3Marbles: Lot #3. Sulphide. Cow. 1-11/16". Polished.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
SULPHIDE. Figure is a cow, laying down chewing its cud. Above average detail to the figure. Slightly off-center. Figure has silvering air layer on it.
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to marblehag for 55.00
5Marbles: Lot #5. Sulphide. Sheep. 1-9/16". Buffed.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
SULPHIDE. Figure is a sheep. Excellent detail to the figure. Well-centered. No air bubbles on the figure. Surface has been buffed. A small subsurface
Estimate : 110.00 - 225.00
Sold to mjsoileau for 70.00
6Marbles: Lot #6. Sulphide. Lion. 1-1/2". Polished.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
SULPHIDE. Figure is a standing lion. Above average detail to the figure. Well-centered. Small air bubble on the figure. Marble has been polished, ther
Estimate : 80.00 - 175.00
Sold to mjsoileau for 48.00
7Marbles: Lot #7. Swirl, Divided Core. 2-1/8". Polished.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
SWIRL, Divided Core. Divided Core Swirl. Polished surface, several subsurface moons remain. Germany, circa 1870-1920. 2-1/8". Polished Provenan...
Estimate : 60.00 - 125.00
Sold to marblehag for 18.00
8Marbles: Lot #8. Swirl, Solid Core. 1-15/16". NM 8.6.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
SWIRL, Solid Core. Solid Core Swirl. Nice candle core. Outer layer is a cage of white strands. Original surface. Some pits and scratches. Germany, cir
Estimate : 125.00 - 250.00
Sold to mjsoileau for 130.00
11Marbles: Lot #11. End of Day, Onionskin. 2-1/2". NM- 8.2.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Onionskin. Huge Onionskin. White core with pink skin. Some blue flecks. Surface has some small chips and subsurface moons. Overall wear,
Estimate : 225.00 - 450.00
Sold to marblehag for 60.00
13Marbles: Lot #13. End of Day, Cloud. 1-11/16". Good 7.6.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Cloud. Interesting single-pontil Cloud. Core is splotches of white, pink and blue. Two lobe crimps on the marble on opposite sides. Two fl
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to kimmiemoo for 50.00
15Marbles: Lot #15. Mica. Yellow. 1-13/16". Good+ 7.9.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Mica. Very rare Yellow Mica. This is amongst the largest I have ever seen. Darker shade of yellow, but it is not amber. There is a cor
Estimate : 250.00 - 500.00
Sold to marblemikey for 170.00
16Marbles: Lot #16. Mica. Green. 1-11/16". Good+ 7.7.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Mica. Large Green Mica. Nice emerald green. Nice subsurface layer of mica. A number of small and tiny chips. Germany, circa 1870-1920.
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to tdushan for 48.00
17Marbles: Lot #17. Clambroth. Black. 1-1/2". Good 7.6.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Clambroth. Black Clambroth with white stripes. Two small chips, overall pitting. Germany, circa 1870-1920. 1-1/2". Good (7.6). ...
Estimate : 125.00 - 250.00
Sold to marblehag for 46.00
19Marbles: Lot #19. Swirl, Banded. 25/32". Mint- 9.2.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
SWIRL, Banded. Banded Swirl. Light green base with white bands on the surface. Two melt spots. Germany, circa 1870-1920. 25/32". Mint(-) (9.2)....
Estimate : 20.00 - 40.00
Sold to rtmarble609b for 10.00
20Marbles: Lot #20. Swirl, Divided Core. 25/32". Mint- 9.2.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
SWIRL, Divided Core. This is an end of cane Divided Core Swirl, not a Coreless. Two bands of color in the core. One pit. Germany, circa 1870-1920. 25/
Estimate : 15.00 - 30.00
Sold to marblemikey for 15.00
21Marbles: Lot #21. Mist. 1-1/16". Good 7.6.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Mist. Interesting large marble. Transparent clear base. Core is a ghost core of seed air bubbles. Middle layer is a Mist of transparen
Estimate : 40.00 - 80.00
Sold to marblehag for 17.00
23Marbles: Lot #23. Swirl, Joseph Coat. 7/8". NM+ 8.9.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
SWIRL, Joseph Coat. Clear base. Subsurface layer of variously colored strands. One tiny chip, one melt chip. Germany, circa 1870-1920. 7/8". Ne...
Estimate : 20.00 - 40.00
Sold to taunya for 20.00
26Marbles: Lot #26. End of Day, Cloud. 29/32". NM 8.6.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Cloud. Single pontil Cloud. White core with blue splotches. The splotches rise off the top of the white into the clear. Chip at the top an
Estimate : 35.00 - 75.00
Sold to rjcook865 for 11.00
27Marbles: Lot #27. 4-Panel Onionskin. 15/16". NM+ 8.7.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Paneled Onionskin. Four-Panel Onionskin. White core. Two pink and two blue panels. One small chip, two tiny ones. Germany, circa 1870-1920
Estimate : 35.00 - 75.00
Sold to floor for 21.00
28Marbles: Lot #28. Onionskin. 25/32". NM+ 8.9Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Onionskin. Opaque white core. Pink skin, with a little blue and yellow. Some light wear to the surface in one area. Germany, circa 1870-19
Estimate : 40.00 - 80.00
Sold to lornorm for 20.00
29Marbles: Lot #29. 4-Panel Onionskin. 29/32". NM+ 8.9.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Paneled Onionskin. Four-Panel Onionskin. Yellow core. Two pink and two green panels. One very tiny chip. Germany, circa 1870-1920. 23/32...
Estimate : 30.00 - 76.00
Sold to floor for 80.00
30Marbles: Lot #30. 8-Panel Onionskin. 29/32". Mint 9.6.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Paneled Onionskin. Very rare Eight-Panel Onionskin. Two panels each of yellow, pink, blue on white, pink on white. One tiny manufacturing
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to marblemikey for 85.00
31Marbles: Lot #31. Onionskin with Mica. 11/16". Mint 9.7.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Onionskin. Superb Onionskin with mica. Pink skin on white base. Super layer of mica flakes on the core. One very tiny pit. Gorgeous. Groun
Estimate : 125.00 - 250.00
Sold to tdushan for 100.00
32Marbles: Lot #32. Onionskin. 11/16". NM+ 8.9.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Onionskin. Opaque bright white core. A couple of blue and a couple of orange bands on it. One melt spot, two tiny chips. Germany, circa 18
Estimate : 30.00 - 60.00
Sold to floor for 22.00
33Marbles: Lot #33. 6-Panel Onionskin. 7/16". Mint 9.9.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Paneled Onionskin. Six-panel Onionskin. Peewee. Core is white with pink skin on it. Three equadistant blue bands on the core. Germany, cir
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to cemib for 26.00
34Marbles: Lot #34. 4-Panel Onionskin. 5/8". NM+ 8.9.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Paneled Onionskin. Four-Panel Onionskin. White core. Two blue and two turquoise panels. One very tiny subsurface moon, one tiny pinprick.
Estimate : 20.00 - 40.00
Sold to lornorm for 18.00
35Marbles: Lot #35. Onionskin. 5/8". Mint- 9.2.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
END OF DAY, Onionskin. Nice Onionskin, some might call it a Cloud. White core. Blue, pink and turquoise splotches. One tiny manufacturing pit. Germany
Estimate : 35.00 - 70.00
Sold to marblemikey for 34.00
36Marbles: Lot #36. Submarine. 21/32". Mint 9.9.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Submarine. Odd Submarine, from near an end of the cane. Transparent blue base. Panels of stretched white and stretched yellow. In grea
Estimate : 80.00 - 175.00
Sold to tdushan for 90.00
37Marbles: Lot #37. Banded Opaque. 23/32". NM 8.6.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Banded Opaque. Nice Banded Opaque. Semi-opaque white base. Two panels of stretched translucent pink. A couple of tiny chips, tiny subs
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to marblehag for 21.00
38Marbles: Lot #38. Clambroth. 25/32". NM- 8.1.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Clambroth. Shooter Clambroth. Semi-opaque white base. Thirteen pink strands. Tiny subsurface moons, tiny chips and pits. Germany, circ
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to marblehag for 26.00
39Marbles: Lot #39. Indian. 5/8". Mint 9.5.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Indian. Gorgeous Indian. Opaque black base. Two bands on the surface. One is blue on white, other is pink on white. A couple of tiny p
Estimate : 60.00 - 125.00
Sold to hillfrost2.. for 55.00
40Marbles: Lot #40. Indian. 21/32". NM 8.6.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Indian. Nice Indian. Almost a 360. Opaque black base. Surface is about ninety percent covered with white stretched bands. One panel of
Estimate : 35.00 - 70.00
Sold to jamespatch.. for 30.00
41Marbles: Lot #41. Transparent Indian. 21/32". NM+ 8.7.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Indian. Rare transparent Indian. This is a transparent, not a maglite. The base is transparent smokey gray. Two bands of blue on white
Estimate : 40.00 - 80.00
Sold to floor for 19.00
42Marbles: Lot #42. Indian. 9/16". Mint 9.5.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Indian. Small Indian. Opaque black base. Two bands of green on stretched white. A number of manufacturing air holes on the surface. No
Estimate : 60.00 - 125.00
Sold to marblehag for 26.00
43Marbles: Lot #43. Indian. 9/16". Mint 9.8.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Indian. Nice Indian. Opaque black base. One wide band of stretched white with a little blue on it. Other band is a narrow band of yell
Estimate : 60.00 - 125.00
Sold to taunya for 42.00
44Marbles: Lot #44. Handmade Opaque. 21/32". NM+ 8.7.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Opaque. Handmade Opaque. Light rose pink. Small subsurface moon. Germany, circa 1870-1920. 21/32". Near Mint(+) (8.7). Provenan...
Estimate : 15.00 - 30.00
Sold to floor for 7.00
46Marbles: Lot #46. Handmade Opaque. 5/8". NM+ 8.9.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Opaque. Handmade Opaque. Sea foam green. One pit. Germany, circa 1870-1920. 5/8". Near Mint(+) (8.9). Provenance: ex-collection...
Estimate : 25.00 - 50.00
Sold to floor for 12.00
47Marbles: Lot #47. Handmade Opaque. 25/32". Mint 9.2.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Opaque. Handmade Opaque. Jet Black. One manufacturing spot where it was laid against another marble or surface when hot. Stunning. Ger
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to taunya for 28.00
48Marbles: Lot #48. Handmade Clearie. 1-3/16". Mint 9.2.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
OTHER HANDMADE, Clearie. Hard to find marble, in great shape. Transparent clear handmade Clearie. Filled with tiny seed air bubbles. Two tiny manufact
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to marblemikey for 40.00
49Marbles: Lot #49. Bullseye China. 3/4",.Mint 9.7.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
NON-GLASS HANDMADE, China. Handpainted China. Unglazed. Six bullseyes. Unusual color sequence. The four bullseyes around the equator are red. The two
Estimate : 25.00 - 50.00
Sold to marblemikey for 9.00
50Marbles: Lot #50. Stoneware. 1-1/16". Mint 9.9.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
NON-GLASS HANDMADE, Stoneware. Salt glazed Stoneware. Gray base with blue splotches. Germany (possibly American), circa 1860-1920. 1-1/16". Mi...
Estimate : 75.00 - 150.00
Sold to marblehag for 29.00
51Marbles: Lot #51. Handcut Agate. 5/8". Mint- 9.1.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
NON-GLASS HANDMADE, Agate. Handcut Carnelian Agate. Germany, circa 1850-1920. 5/8". Mint(-) (9.1). Provenance: ex-collection Joe Rocco. Estima...
Estimate : 10.00 - 20.00
Sold to jhomer2172 for 5.00
52Marbles: Lot #52. Handcut Agate. 23/32". Mint- 9.0.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
NON-GLASS HANDMADE, Agate. Handcut Carnelian Agate. One tiny hit mark. Germany, circa 1850-1920. 23/32". Mint(-) (9.0). Provenance: ex-collecti...
Estimate : 10.00 - 20.00
Sold to jhomer2172 for 14.00
87Marbles: Lot #87. Akro Agate Company. 2 Flinties. Mint.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
AKRO AGATE COMPANY, Flintie. Lot of two marbles. Semi-opaque opalescent light brown marbles. Clarksburg WV, circa 1927-1935. 19/32" & 11/16...
Estimate : 10.00 - 20.00
Sold to taunya for 13.00
100Marbles: Lot #100. Peltier Glass. NLR. 21/32". Mint 9.6.Block's Marble CyberAuctions
PELTIER GLASS COMPANY, National Line Rainbo. National Line Rainbo. Red ribbons on green. Ottawa IL, circa 1930-1937. 21/32". Mint (9.6). Proven...
Estimate : 10.00 - 20.00
Sold to jhomer2172 for 11.00