MarblesThey have probably been around for thousands of years. Now you don’t see any children playing with them. I’m talking about marbles. They were real popular back in the 1950’s. At every recess, you could find any number of circles drawn in the dirt with several boys gathered around waiting for their turn to plunk the opponent’s marble out of the ring. Some boys had a real knack of zeroing in on a desired marble and making it just fly out of the ring. I was never very good so I usually didn’t play “for keeps”.
Along the way certain marbles were declared ineligible. “Steelies” gave the shooter a distinct advantage due to the weight difference, so they were not allowed. These were actually ball bearings. “Bummies” were oversized marbles and were also not allowed. Their larger size made for a distinct advantage. Your shooter was usually slightly larger but not to be mistaken for a “bummie”. I always liked the “cat’s eye” type of marble. They remind you of some of the paper weights of the day. Very pretty.
Just about every boy had his marble bag with his treasured marbles. It was really a very simple game and the ability of a boy to knock one out of the ring and “stick” was an advantage. If you just hit one that went just short of the ring line, the next shooter could get that one real easy. The techniques used by the shooters varied. Some boys seemed to have just the right method of aiming and hitting anything they shot at, while making their marble stick in the ring.
Early marbles were made out of clay. Some clay marbles have been found that are 2-3,000 years old. Like I said, it is a simple game and can be played by any boy with any degree of skill. Of course, like me, if they played for keeps, they quickly lost all their marbles.
The old marbles can be quite beautiful. Several placed in any type of clear glass container make for a nice and colorful display. They can be found at flea markets, antique shops and any number of venues for a variety of prices. They don’t have to be expensive to be very attractive.
The game of marbles is all but forgotten by the youth of today. Electronic games have taken over their interests. Of course, if I want my computer straightened out, I have to ask a young person. Maybe they are smarter, but I’ll bet they don’t have as much fun.
12 comments:
my son (almost 5) asked for marbles for christmas! i was shocked that he even knew what they were. LOL
there'll be a little pack of marbles in his stocking...
i still have my marbles from when i was a little girl
9:29-I did not even realize that one could still buy marbles.Wow!That makes 2 weeks in a row that we've been taken back in time.Marbles we're a huge part of the youth culture when I was a kid in the late 50's and 60's.Until I really studied this photo I had forgotten just how many types there were.
Somewhere along the line, I've lost all of my marbles :O
marbles can choke children. No child under the age of eighteen should have them with out suppervision of a parent.
anonymous 10:39, I truly cannot believe you just said that. I know, take ALL of the coins away from any one under 18 too. This is exactly why our country is in the shape its now in. ALL children shouldn't be allowed out of the house, God Forbid a CAR is driving down your street.
joe
our street has speed bumps
I played marbles a lot when I was a kid in the early 40's in my neighborhood and at Pinehurst Elementary. I thought I was pretty good but I would always lose to Bill Trader, the best shooter at school. Great fun! EL
Marbles don't have warnings stamped on them. Children don't know there dangerous and stuff their mouths full.
Where does a child go next, from shooting marbles to shooting dice?
All I can say is there are some seriously warped people on the Blog today.
I don't know how we ALL survived!
well my son doesn't put things in his mouth because I TAUGHT HIM NOT TO. and even though he knows better, he'll be supervised with them. i guess i should withhold the legos i got him for christmas till he's 18 too?
9:55 - i picked up a little bag of them at michaels. they were like a dollar. and they aren't as pretty as when i was little LOL
my word verification is "swinfart" I'm taking the liberty of adding an "e" between the n & f so that it more appropriately describes some people commenting today. :)
To anon 10:39 I can't believe you are that stupid. You wouldn't give your 17 year old a bag of marbles but you will give him a car to kill himself in. Also I played marbles in elementary school and I can't remember anybody stupid enough to swallow a marble. Guess
what kids choke of food too. So I guess we shouldn't feed our kids until they are eighteen unless we supervies every meal. I guess your seventeen year old must still be sucking on the breast wouldn't want him to choke on food.
Marbles were fun to play and a big part of my childhood. We would draw a ring on the ground pretty much anywhere and begin play. Some were more treasured than others, particularly the pures. My brother was the best shot and always won most of my marbles.
What great memories! Thank you George.
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