The most recent word from Michael Johnson: In the Sept. 2016 WVMCC Newsletter he writes about Akro marbles being found at the Alley site in Sistersville, WV.
Concluding this article Michael writes, “Now, getting back to the Akro Agate marbles and scraps found at the Alley Sistersville site. Lawrence Alley III, author of the book, L. E. Alley ‘Father of West Virginia Swirls’ etc… gives a wonderful accounting on page 12 of how all that came pass. It is excellent reading and the pictures are brilliant. This book is to Alley ... what Roger Hardy did for Akro Agate. I highly recommend both, the best items in a marble book collection.”
Preface
In compiling a tremendous amount of information for his new book, Lawrence E. Alley III has provided a window through which the reader may view and experience the rise of an American family. While the main focus of this book details the life and work in the glass and toy marble industry of his grandfather, Lawrence E. Alley, a clear picture is painted of the Alley family up to the present day.
This book is unique in that for the first time a book on the companies of a major toy marble maker has been written by a member of that family. Using known family history as primary sources through memories, diaries, and company records plus many secondary sources, the reader becomes intimately involved with the activities of the Alley companies. Many of the pictures and details included in this volume are published and exposed to the public for the first time. L. E. Alley was best known for his marbles. But, the collector of toy dishes will find an extensive coverage of his children’s glassware that was sold by J. Pressman and Company for many years.
Traditionally, books about glass and toy marbles are written by dealers and collectors and other outsiders who have an economic interest to satisfy. Mr. Alley's book, however, is a labor of love.
Michael Johnson
Co-author “American Machine-made Marbles”
.If you prefer to pay by check, my address is:
Larry Alley, 136 Millham St., Marlborough, MA 01752
What other collectors are saying about the book
Newest Photo Book BOOK 5 Rev 3 (Replaces the other 3 books below)
Marble Photo Book 5 rev 3
I found another printer with
more pages at a better price.
Now 111 Pages
12 Entirely New Pages of Marbles
and
Other Improvements
Available May 1, 2018
Marble Photo Book 3 - Useful to ID Alley marbles. Similar to the earlier one on Shutterfly Share Site but with some improvements. Detailed descriptions of 81 marbles are now included. Only Alley marbles in this one. For sale ($45) if you really want it. But, you can access the entire book for free by following a link at the Alley Agate Collector link below the book picture.
Hardcover - 43 pages - Coffee Table QualityMarble Photo Book 5 (rev 2) **SAVE $20**
A 100 page combination of Books 3 & 4 with additions and
minor deletions.
Only one page removed from Book 4
(Page showing remains of Pennsboro building)
Book 3 - Pages removed:
2 pages - Lawrence Glass Marbles
2 pages* - Pennsboro Marbles dug in May 2013
1 page* - Alley Agate Marbles dug at Pennsboro
1 page* - Alley Agate - Pennsboro (red tray)
Hardcover - 100 pages - Coffee Table Quality
NOTICE: My printer for this book has closed his doors.
I found another printer with more pages at a better price. See revised BOOK 5 above.
* These pages were left out by mistake and are in the new printing. A few old copies are available for $30. Prints of these 4 pages will be included. (Email for price correction: [email protected])
New Pages not in books 3 & 4 (numbered):
5 Ravenswood - Alley Agate compared
18,19 Dug Pennsboro clear base shooters
20,21 Dug Pennsboro 5/8 size
32 Small childs Chinese Checkers set
43,44,45 My new Shooters and 5/8 size
72-75 Pennsboro Marbles dug by Sammy Hogue
95-99 Pressed Glass: Insulators, Rare children's dishes, Animals (differences between Alley & L. E. Smith)
You probably do not want this book if you have Book 3 or 4.