i recently picked up these cues at a sale and was wondering if it was rare to find them with the decals in such good shape.
i guess my main question is that i am wondering if i should convert them (i am strongly thinking of doing the veneered one) or do these fit the collector market specs.
btw, sticks are warped.
M.C.
The two cues on the left side of the photo's that show the bottom of the cues straight up and down with rounded section on the top and bottom of the Brunswick decal are the oldest. Those two cues were some time between 1912 or 1913 and that decal was used until around 1921.
The cue with the Liberty decal was made between 1942 and 1945, the decal was modified like in the picture during World War two to show patriotic support for our Nation. I have not ever seen another one of these cues, except in some of my catalogs from that period, I do not know how uncommon cues using this decal are, but I think they are kinda rare, even in that condition.
The Brunswick 26 1/2 cue pictured appears to be made using ebony which makes it worth keeping original in my opinion. The decal on that cue dates it from around 1922 until the early 1930's. I think this is the most expensive cue in the lot, most of these cues using that wood were either converted or were made as trophy cues with a Pearl or Ivory wedge in the bottom. In my opinion this cue is worth around $500 just because of the wood used and it's condition.
The cue with the Liberty decal and the Brunswick 26 1/2 should not be converted in my opinion because they are certainly collectible as they are. The other two are not that uncommon, however, they are in nice condition with good labels so they can go either way, some collector may have interest or they can certainly be converted.
Hope this helps