Product guide

The Encyclopedia of Modern Marbles, Spheres, and Orbs

The Encyclopedia of Modern Marbles, Spheres, and Orbs is a collector's reference on contemporary studio glass marbles and orbs, with historical context, identification details, and value information. Its broad image coverage and sections on care and valuation suit readers building or researching a collection, while its 2005 publication date is worth considering for current market values.

At a glance

Features over 900 color photographs of handmade and machine-made marbles, studio glass, and other contemporary forms.
Covers the studio glass movement, manufacturing processes, artists' marks, and collecting practices.
Includes guidance on caring for a collection and valuing items, with values in captions.
Includes a glossary, bibliography, and index.

Price

$55.70Save 20%

Reference price: ~~$69.95~~

Price checked: Nov 14, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Wide visual coverage spans production types, edition categories, prototypes, limited editions, and experimental works.
Combines identification and background material with practical collection-care and valuation topics.
Historical and rare examples provide context for contemporary studio glass.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Publication
Publisher	Schiffer
Publication date	August 31, 2005
Edition	1st
Language	English
Print length	272 pages

Identification
ISBN-10	076432294X
ISBN-13	978-0764322945

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions	9.2 x 1.2 x 12 inches
Weight listed	4.55 pounds

What to know before buying

Values are presented in a book published in 2005, so use them as dated reference material rather than assuming they reflect current market prices.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Collectors researching modern studio glass marbles, spheres, and orbs.
Readers interested in marble-making processes, artists' marks, and the history of studio glass.
People seeking an illustrated reference for collection care and valuation.

Less suited to

Buyers seeking up-to-date market pricing without consulting current sources.
Readers looking for a general guide to all glass collecting rather than a marble- and orb-focused reference.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.5 / 5 · 7 ratings

5 stars68%68%
4 stars23%23%
3 stars0%0%
2 stars9%9%
1 star0%0%

The supplied aggregate ratings lean positive, with most ratings in the five-star category, but a smaller two-star share shows that experiences are not uniformly favorable. The sample is small and contains no written feedback, so it cannot establish specific strengths or explain lower ratings. Buyers should judge the book primarily by its stated illustrated coverage and keep its 2005 valuation material in context.

Frequently asked questions

What subjects does this book cover?

It covers contemporary studio glass marbles, spheres, and orbs, including their history, manufacturing processes, artists' marks, collection care, and valuation.

Does it include photographs?

The listing describes over 900 color photographs showing a range of handmade and machine-made work, editions, prototypes, and studio glass.

Are the value references current?

The book was published in 2005 and includes values in captions. Treat those as historical reference points, not guaranteed current market prices.

What reference sections are included?

The listing identifies a glossary, bibliography, and index, alongside the main text and caption values.