When I first learned of the hobby of marble collectingI was surprised – I had no idea that a marble could be a collector’s item. How could one even tell them apart, I wondered. A passionate collector and dealer of marbles informed me, though, that there are indeed differences among marbles and the challenge of learning to recognize the different types of marbles is part of the fun of collecting them.

A form of marbles were around in ancient Rome, but it was in Venice in the 1700s that the glass marbles we are familiar with today were first developed. While it’s usually glass marbles that are collected, antique porcelain and clay marbles can be a valuable addition to a collection as well.

There are several books and online guides available to help a novice marble collector to tell the marbles apart (see the links below). Learning to identify marbles can be difficult, and it generally takes a good amount of study to be able to discern the small differences in patterns and colors between marbles. It is well worth the effort, however. Marble collecting is an area where a well-prepared, knowledgeable collector can find rare items for pennies. Quite often collectibles dealers who don’t specialize in marbles will fill a large plastic baggie with marbles and sell it for a couple of dollars, and it’s not unusual to discover a valuable marble in among the worthless ones.

Because marbles are made of glass, they are easy to damaged and should be stored carefully. Keeping collectible marbles bundled up together in a bag or jar can lead to scratches and chipping, which will significantly decrease the value of the marbles. There are special storage/display cases with a separate compartment for each marble, or simply wrapping each marble individually before storing will do the trick.

Related Links:

Land of Marbles identification guide

Alan’s Marble Collection identification guide

Here’s a list of guidelines for buying marbles online

Some delight in collecting and displaying the doorknobs, searching for elusive, rare knobs, which can run into thousands of dollars. However, many people who collect antique doorknobs intend to use them when renovating a home or giving it a new look. While today’s doorknobs tend to be utilitarian, those of yesteryear were more decorative, particular those of the Victorian era. Antique doorknobs are one of those small details that can have a big impact on the overall appearance and feel of a room. There are plenty of lower-cost antique doorknobs perfect for home decorating projects. Because it can be difficult to find enough of the exact same antique doorknob for every door in the house, many homeowners choose to use a variety of doorknobs to add a bit of quirky charm.

Antique doorknobs are often made from brass. Porcelain doorknobs were also popular at one time, but specimens in good condition can be more difficult to find. Eighty years ago glass doorknobs could be found in most new homes, and today those same antique glass and crystal doorknobs are in high demand. Fortunately they were built to last and many have survived the years in excellent condition, with few nicks and cracks. Because they’re popular they tend to sell quickly whenever they show up in flea markets and online sales. Not only are clear glass doorknobs popular, but knobs made from colorful glass like, green and blue as well.

Many antique doorknobs are accompanied by doorplates. Doorplates fit onto the door with a hole for the knob and often a keyhole for operating a locking mechanism. Ornate antique doorplates and antique doorknobs make a striking combination when used together in a home.

To learn more about antique door knobs, please visit the website of the Antique Doorknob Collectors of America.

http://www.antiquedoorknobs.org/Knob.htm

The definition of the word ‘bust’ can encompass many things. When implemented as a noun, we’re either referring to ‘a sculpture representing a person’s upper body’, or simply ‘the human chest’. In the case of DC Direct’s Women of the DC Universe sculpture line, we’ve pretty much got ample quantities of both.

Based on the artwork of Adam Hughes, the Women of the DC Universe series showcases some of the most well-known heroines in comics in miniature form, including Wonder Woman, Poison Ivy and Catwoman. Adam Hughes is known for his classy, art nouveau take on comics, but more notably, rendering more-than-respectable bosoms on his female characters. Within comic fandom, you can basically draw a wobbly stick figure with a couple of watermelons glued to it and you’ll be hailed as ‘an amazing talent!’ by at least one industry magazine. Some of us are more discerning, but some of us also have had girlfriends that weren’t imaginary Drow Elf princesses. Adam Hughes is a talented artist though, his produce-aisle women included. The busts themselves are sculpted by John G. Mathews, and while they’re not entirely true to Hughes’ original artworks, they’re still effective pieces of sculpture.

More than being an excuse to make a bunch of statues with slammin’ racks, the Women of the DCU line is another example of an artist-centric line of products by DC Direct, who are giving more respect and honor to comic artists than has ever been given before. They’ve been giving fairly consistent kudos to original ideas and interpretations of their valuable character properties, and I commend them for it. But mostly, slammin’ racks. When the identity and recognition of their characters is what can make or break their success, it’s a bold move to allow so much freedom to their artists and writers.

This series of busts is cast in porcelain, and hand-numbered in quantities of about 3000 each. Each bust measures about 6 inches tall, and that includes 2 inches of base. For being in such a miniature scale, roughly about 1/8th of actual size, the busts have consistently exceeded my expectations. It’s a rare case when the box art, which features imagery of professionally painted prototypes, pales in comparison to the actual product. The busts are cleanly painted, well-packed and lightweight. They only measure about 2 or 3 inches across also, so there’s plenty of room for them on your collectible shelf. Who doesn’t like strong, empowered women? Who doesn’t like them when they happen to be easy on the eye? I don’t hear any guys complaining about feeling emasculated by the perfect fantasy physique of Superman!

Beginning this past January, DC has been releasing a bust every two months, beginning with Wonder Woman, Poison Ivy, and just released this week, Catwoman. The rest of the year will be filled out with Hawkgirl, Harley Quinn and Supergirl, each arriving every two months. They’re all still fairly available for roughly 40 bucks each, and if you can justify them to your girlfriend or your mom, they’re really worth it. You know what? Don’t even justify them, because girls never listen about this stuff. Just tell them that you’re paying homage to a literary character, and if she can’t respect books, then you don’t need her. Catwoman will keep you safe and warm, and she’s clearly rich, with that diamond she’s smuggling into her… uh… safe deposit box.

Forget I said anything.