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World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

Jul 11, 2023
World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

York, Nebraska, United States--The Marble Museum, also known as the Lee’s Legendary Marbles and Collectables in York, Nebraska, (owner Lee Batterton) has over 700,000 marbles in his collection, making the Museum the World’s Largest Collection of Marbles, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

"Lee Batterton's collection of over one million marbles, which he started in 1954, and says is the largest on earth. Keep the kids busy by asking them to count them all", the Roadside America says.


"Meet Lee and let him show you his marble collection. Make sure to ask him lots of questions -- he will get out his favorites.


"The museum has a neat sports marble collection and a cute vending machine."

World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

"Entering Lee’s Marble Museum, the first thing visitors will notice is hundreds of marble-filled jars lining the walls. All around the museum, display cases show off specific marbles, methodically organized by category,"the Atlas Obscura says.


"Owner Lee Batterton is always willing to show visitors around what began as a personal collection. Batterton first began sharing his collection with the public in 2001. 


"While Batterton has plenty of what he calls “cheaper baubles” for anyone seeking a souvenir, he also sells rare and antique marbles to serious collectors. Some even date to the early 19th-century. A few of his most unique marbles were crafted prior to World War I and actually contain uranium."

World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

"Inside, you'll find the largest collection of collectible marbles on the planet. They're everywhere - packed into display cases and poured into jars and buckets, adorning every corner of the main building,"the Only In Your State says.


"You can not only admire the itty-bitty masterpieces; you can also learn plenty about the history of marbles. Your questions will be answered with enthusiasm, as the whole goal of this unique place is to share the love of marbles.


"If you're interested in starting or expanding your own collection, you'll be in absolute heaven here. There are marbles to match all budgets, whether you're looking for the valuable collectors' favorites or inexpensive marbles you can play with daily."

World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

"Lee’s Legendary Marbles in York is filled with 1,300 quart-sized Mason jars of marbles. The rows of jars line the top shelf near the ceiling, but only represent a fraction of Lee Batterton’s eclectic collection", the Nebraska Traveler says.


His nondescript steel building just off U.S. Highway 81 houses one of the world’s largest collections of marbles and includes spherical sulphides, European swirls, lobed onionskins, lightning strikes, uraniums and a one-of-a-kind guinea estimated to be worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000."

World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

"During a recent visit to Lee’s Legendary Marbles and Collectables in York, Nebraska, we learned that the market had been flooded with cat’s eye marbles, thus rendering them just another marble. While they are still special looking marbles, there are too many of them now to consider any one a cut above the others," The Walking Tourists says.


"Lee’s Marbles is an amazing place. They have marbles from all over the world. They have almost every type of marble produced on display and available for viewing. The owner – Lee – has 700,000-1 million marbles in his collection. That makes the museum one of the largest marble collections in the world.


"Many of the marbles are in mason jars, ringing the main floor on top of shelves. Some of them are sorted by color and style. I cannot imagine the effort that went into that work."

World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

"The Marble Museum, reported to be the largest marble collection in the world, was started with the personal collection of Lee J. Butterfield. Opened in 2000 the museum is free and displays over one million dollars worth of marbles.


"Having no idea what to expect, we entered the museum and saw containers of marbles from the floor to the ceiling. On the upper shelf were fifteen hundred one quart mason jars, all filled with marbles. Custom shelves were filled with labeled examples of the multitude of different size marbles made from just about every glass, rock, and pottery material available. The floor even had display of the cheaper more common marbles for sale," the http://mandrbrackin.blogspot.com says.


"Lee's son Chuck, also addicted to marble collecting, showed us stunning marbles called the vortex. He also showed us a display of large marbles made entirely from minerals and we identified many of them, which of course led to us buying several for our collection."

World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

"Lee’s Legendary Marbles & Collectables features thousands of marbles to marvel at. He began his collection in 1954, and it has grown to be the world’s largest collection of collectible marbles," the Silly America says.


"The marble museum features handmade ones, machine made ones, carpet balls, sulphide, Lutz’s, European swirls, onionskins, agates, and more.


You can also find marble-related games, paperweights, and an assortment of other antiques and collectibles."

World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

Reviews from TripAdvisor

"Millions of marbles (& other collectibles) in a small building. I have never seen so many marbles. Really quite interesting. The owner was very nice, told me some facts about the marbles. A really cool place to see.


"I enjoy this kind of place. The owner is there to talk with and he has amassed an amazing collection of marbles! It’s a cross between a marble museum, a marble and coin store, and a flea market. They were pretty busy when we stopped or I could have spent more time visiting."

"This was a fun place to visit. There are more marbles than you have ever seen. They also have a variety of other memorabilia available to view and purchase."


"The most awsome marble collection I have ever seen. It tops most marble shows I have attended. Everything is well sorted and nicely displayed."
 

"All I can say is, this is a bunch of marbles. It is a fun touristy spot. It will not take too long to get through, so plan on some other activities. Worth a stop to see this amazing collection."

World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: world record in York, Nebraska

World’s Largest Collection of Marbles: York, Nebraska


Marble Museum

Address: 3120 S. Lincoln Ave., York, NE

Coordinates: 40.8330, -97.5984

Directions: I-80 exit 353. Drive north around a half-mile. On the left (west) side; look for the sign, "Antique Mall and Flea Market." Hours: Daily 10-6 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.

Phone: 402-362-3320

Admission: Free, donations accepted

eBay store: Lee's Legendary Marbles

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