Marble Society Begins Drive

TRUMBULL — The Marble Collectors’ Society of America (MCSA) announces the start of its 28th annual drive for contributors and subscribers. The society was founded in 1975 and is a nonprofit organization established for charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes. Objectives are to gather and disseminate information, and to perform services to further the hobby of marbles, marble collecting and the preservation of the history of marbles and marble making.

Some of the MCSA’s major accomplishments to date are the uninterrupted publication of the society’s quarterly newsletter, Marble Mania™; various surveys; photographing and publishing color sheets; and gathering and placing museum collections, in addition to those currently included in The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, N.Y., and the American Museum of Glass, Wheaton Village, Millville, N.J.

The society also continues to publish price guides with periodic updates; work towards establishing a library of articles and marble related materials; preparation of slide presentations; preparation and publication of contributor listings; research and issue of articles concerning marble factories and contemporary marble makers; prepare videotapes on marbles, including the first two-hour videotape on collecting marbles; offer classification and appraisal services; and produce a series of table top books about the hobby of marbles and marble collecting.

Society books are available from the MCSA to the public. Society contributors received discounted prices. Books currently available include Marble Mania, Contemporary Marbles and Related Art Glass, Antique Glass Sulphide Marbles, and Antique Glass Swirl Marbles.

During 2002, the last of the antique glass books, Antique Glass End of Day, was issued, as well as a revised Marbles: Identification and Price Guide-4th Edition. The society’s books project continues in 2003 with upcoming books on machine-made marbles.

Society goals are to continue publication of its quarterly newsletter, publish comprehensive marble books containing photographs as well as text, and continue to issue additional color plates.

In addition, the society will continue its research and development for the MCSA library, and the continued development of a collection of marbles for the society library that will be made available on loan to libraries and museums.

Contributions are needed for the society to continue to meet its goals and publications. The largest portion of contributions received is used to print and mail information generated by the society. None of the contributions received are used for compensation. All of the hours spent researching, writing, typing and preparing mailings are done so at no expense to the MCSA.

Contributions may be tax deductible, and $12 will add a donor’s name to the society contributor mailing list for 2003, $21 covers two years, $30 three years, and $100 or more adds a donor’s name to the Life Contributors List. Life contributors also receive a framed certificate. All new contributors receive and extensive package of information and all of the color plates issued to date.

For information contact the society directly at MCSA, PO Box 222, Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 203-261-3223.