Organization - Keeping Your Marbles

“Organization is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.”
― A.A. Milne

Marbles are typically found in either jars, bowls, or boxes of varying sizes and shapes. These containers may seem proper for bulk collection of mibs, but are not always conducive for the sorting habits of devoted collectors. It’s not an uncommon question that I see pop up on marble forums, “How do I sort, store, and display my marbles?”. As one may expect, the answers are as diverse as the collectors themselves, however there are a few methods that seem tried-and-true, each serving slightly different purposes.

Glass Jars

Probably the most common method for storing machine-made marbles, glass jars present a unique aesthetic - especially when set near a window with ample sunlight! For the most part, a fully packed jar will prevent rattling and the subsequent scratching/chipping; however, many collectors are only keen on keeping common/low-value mibs cased in these glass prisons (such as clearies or game mibs). A major hindrance to storing in jars is the inability to pull a specific marble from the group without pouring out the entire jar, which can be quite frustrating when trying to find “that one, I know I left in one of these jars”.

Many marble collectors are lovers of other glass objects, including antique jars. Some of these jars were manufactured within the same Appalachian region of America as many machine-made marbles, each jar producer containing their own rich history.

Cigar Boxes

Cigar boxes are another common storage option for vintage marbles, and can typically be found empty at antique stores for just a few dollars. These boxes provide a unique aesthetic for marble collections, surrounding the mibs in a visually striking package that dates to a similar time. Many of the vintage cigar boxes contain similar advertising fonts and colors as marble manufacturers, and thus marbles seem “at home” within these boxes. Another bonus of the cigar box is the way the lid lifts, unveiling the mibs similar to a treasure chest.

Plastic Dividers

Arguably the most organized of the methods listed in this post, plastic dividers allow for granular sorting with ample visibility and the opportunity to easily label. These containers vary in both overall size and inner compartment count, allowing a collector to select a near perfect fit for their needs. Restricting each container to a specific manufacturer, and then labeling the individual compartments will surely keep a collector from ever having to search too long for a specific mib within their collection. I prefer to use the circular stickers commonly used for garage sales to label the compartments, similar to a box of chocolates.

Some collectors will cut out pieces of foam to place in the compartments, or a piece of tissue; doing this will help reduce rattle and thus unintended scratching.

Hard Cases

This category could probably be split into two, but I felt they are similar enough and highlight a parallel between the high-end collectors of both contemporary and machine-made collectors.

Modern contemporary marble collectors commonly store and transport their collection via hard-shell gun cases, most commonly the “Pelican” brand. These cases provide the most protection of all storage methods, while also providing a locking method for further security. These cases are immediately identifiable and provide their own aesthetic when stacked or ordered on a shelf, exuding a sense of significant mystery.

Vintage collectors may also use hard-shell gun cases, but the more common hard case for premier mibs are custom hand-made wooden display boxes. These are created from two hinged sections with a varying amount of specifically sized slots for marbles, typically holding 10-24 game-sized marbles or fewer shooters. These boxes are typically designed with the intended marbles already selected, allowing for perfect measurements to prevent any rattle. The individual slots are also lined with a soft fabric to prevent any scratches from minute movements. These display boxes being handmade are commonly decorated with pertinent details, sometimes engraved or stained with the title of the manufacturing company or marble type.

Grant Boards

Many collectors that wish to display or interact with their collection may choose to exhibit a solitaire board, also known as a “Grant Board”. These typically round game boards are used to play solitaire, a solo game with the end goal of leaving just a single marble by jumping pieces over each other to remove them. The colloquial name came from Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant’s love for the game, he was known to carry a board and marbles in his saddlebag as a favorite pastime to enjoy with a glass of whiskey and a cigar. It is suggested that the general stayed up all night playing solitaire prior to the final battle during the Siege of Vicksburg, a major campaign won by the Union.

These boards provide a unique method to interact with one’s marbles, and an opportunity for non marble collectors to inspect and engage with the pieces we admire.

Individual Stands

Typically reserved for the most premier specimens, individual stands vary as much as the marbles they hold:

• 3-D Printed
• Glass
• Nuts/Washers
• Rubber O-Rings
• Carved Wood
• And Much More!

The type of stand a collector uses is typically determined by the number of mibs they are displaying. A collector of larger, contemporary marbles may choose to utilize high-quality plastic or glass stands to create a mini-art gallery; vintage machine-made collectors frequently hit up the hardware store for washers and rubber o-rings, for the marbles are typically smaller and more plentiful.

Whatever is used for stands, it is sure that the myriad of mibs is sure to grab the attention of onlookers.