Lot 240. MISCELLANEOUS. This is a collection of marbles that won the blue ribbon for "Home Activities" at the 1969 Minnesota State Fair. The display of marbles was put together by a 13-year old boy named William Taufic. Bill's mother was an antique dealer and he started going to flea markets, estate sales and auctions with her when he was 7 years old. He bought marbles on those excursions, beginning in 1962. By 1969 he had amassed the collection that he included in the display. This lot includes all the marbles in the display (sadly the black spray painted piece of styrofoam long ago disintegrated). Bill kept all of these marbles separately from his other later purchases. The lot also includes the blue ribbon that he won at the Minnesota State Fair, as well as images of the press clipping from the Austin (MN) Daily News from October 17. 1969. The marbles include: Latticinio Core Swirl, 1-13/16", Good. 6 Assorted Core Swirls, about 7/8" to 15/16", Near Mint to Good(+). 30 Assorted Core Swirls, 1/2" to 3/4", Mint to Good. 7 Micas, 5/8" to 1-1/4", Near Mint to Good. 4 cobalt blue machine made clearies, 5/8", Mint. 4 handcut Agates, 1/2" to 3/4", Mint to Near Mint. 42 Blue Benningtons, 1/2" to 1-1/4", Mint. Sheep Sulphide, 1-7/8", Good. Horse Sulphide, 1-1/2", Mint (best marble in the group). Walking bear Sulphide, 1-1/2", Good (+). Running Rabbit Sulphide, 1-9/16", Near MInt(+). 8 Handpainted Glazed Chinas, 3/4", Mint. 47 Brown Bennington, 1/2" to 1-3/8", Mint. 10 Fancy Benningtons, 5/8" to 7/8", Mint. 6 Benningtons, dark brown on light brown, I think these are the ones referred to as vasa murrinha in the article, 5/8" to 15/16", Mint. Interesting piece of marble history, a collection put together by a pre-teen with the pennies and nickels that his mother gave him. He didn't have much to spend so most of the items in this display are fairly mundane by today's standards. Still, a fascinating piece of Americana. Estimate: $800-$1600. Provenance: ex-Collection of William Taufic.

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