*** boys clothing playing with marbles: country trends








Boys Clothing Worn while Playing with Marbles: Country Trends

boys marbles countries
Figure 1.--These French boys are watching a marble shooting match. It must be right after scgool as the boys are wearing their berets, school smocks, and book bags. Notice the triangle formation for the marble shooting.

We have noted that the game appears to have been popular throughout Europe and America as well as European colonies overseas. Some information is available on playing marbles in various countries. A HBC reader tells us that marbles werevery popular in Austria during the 1950s. The Austrians say "Spielen mit Murmeln ". An Australian boy reports that marbles in 2003 are still popular. We know that shooting marbles was popular in England, but we have few details at this time. We do know that the world's long running reguar marble matches are held in England. As in most of Europe, shhooting marbles was popular in France. One French account described a boy's experience in the 1900s at his lycee. We also notice German children, primarily boys, shooring marbles. As in other British dominions, shooting marbles was a popular activity in New Zealand. Shooting marbles was enormously popular in the 19th century and first half of the 20th century. HBC has llittle information on playing marbles in the first half of the century. We can confim that by mid-century it was a well established game in America. Less informarion is available earlier, in part because of the lack of photography as well as the failure of comtemporary publications to report on mundane children's games.

Austria

A HBC reader tells us that marbles werevery popular in Austria during the 1950s. The Austrians say "Spielen mit Murmeln ".

Australia

An Australian reader writes in 2003, "I like to play marbles. I like all the stylish colours including cateyes, green bottles, glassies, two tones, locat seeds, steel balls called "steelies", and lots of others too. My uncle used to play marbles at Saint Mark's Primary School which was a stones throw from my great school Pirie West Primary but that old school is closed now and has moved to a new address. Marbles are still popular today and my uncle is going to get me a big bag of marbles for 2003 christmas."

England

We know that shooting marbles was popular in England, but we have few details at this time. We do not know when marbles first became popular. We suspct that there were some social class conventions. In all the public school (meaning exclclusive private school) stories we have read, we have bot noted marbles being played. We do know that the world's long running reguar marble matches are held in England. Interestingly, marbles appear to have been used to help sell boys clothing. A HBC reader reports, "I found a clear glass marble approximately 1.25 inches in diameter. A metalic tab in the center reads as following: 'Samuel Brothers 50 Ludgate hill London boys suits size 16-45 Pattent'. If you could give me an idea of its age it would appreciated." Hopefully some HBC readers will be able to date this marble and advertising appraoch. HBC would guess the early 20th century, but we do not have any information to confirm this.

France

As in most of Europe, shhooting marbles was popular in France. One French account described a boy's experience in the 1900s at his lycee. Details on the boy's experiences at the Lycee, including his clothes and long hair are available: Paul. He also describes his interest in marbles both shooting and collecting them. We notice French boys during the 1930s shooting within a triangle. American boys always shot within a circle.

Germany

We also notice German children, primarily boys, shooring mables in the 1950s, but we believe that marbles were played in Germany well before this. One scholar writes in 1903, " Boys used to play marbles made out of earth (called for example L�per, Knicker, Klicker, Picker or Schutter) and before that they used round small stones. There�re marbles around made of stone called Murmeln or Marbeln (the same word as in English!). Recently there�ve been marbles around made of pottery and glass. They�re also called Marbeln, Murmeln, Steinerte etc. It describes the production at one of these marmor mills at Untersberge near Salzburg. E.G. In 12 hours a mill produces with 12 rings each about 250 marbles, making 500 (working at night, too). All 50 mills produce during the summer 20,000 marbles per day." A German reader reports, "I for instance about 1985 had two sets of marbles when I was about 6 or 8 years old. One made of stone, the other of glass. I mostly just looked at them or played with them now and again. I don�t think many children do have marbles these days, but they won�t die out I�m sure."

New Zealand

As in other British dominions, shooting marbles was a popular activity in New Zealand (figure 1). Here the popularity of the game in England appears to have been transported to the overseas Dominions as was English fashion. We have few details yet concerning marble shooting in New Zealand. The image we have show boys shooting within a ver large circle, much larger tha boys used in America. It also shows boys shooting marbles wearing a great variety of outfits, although all wearing kneepants or knickers.

United States

Shooting marbles was enormously popular in the 19th century and first half of the 20th century. HBC has llittle information on playing marbles in the first half of the century. We can confim that by mid-century it was a well established game in America. Less informarion is available earlier, in part because of the lack of photography as well as the failure of comtemporary publications to report on mundane children's games. I played marbles as a boy and rember being fascinated by all the colorful different types, but dont's rember actually shhoting them. I do remember using them for Chinese checkers. A HBC reader recalls more. "In the late 1930's I played marbles all the time at school. All the boys played and our school yard was plain dirt and we drew the circles and played marbles. There were two major games, first game was we played was "for keeps" and the second game we played was called "agates."

Sources

Wagner, Hermann. Illustriertes Spielbuch f�r Knaben (1903, 20th edition).








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Created: September 6, 1998
Last updated: 3:26 PM 10/25/2008