I am going to give you guys some background information on this all original 1971 Balabushka because this is a once in a lifetime cue.
In 1971 Mr. Murphy walks into George's shop to pick up his new cue. He is handed a Balabushka that was built from a Spain blank, 5/16 x 14 SS joint, Cortland 9 ply wrap, 4 windows of BEM and 8 ivory arches above and below each window. The nose of the cue is straight grained maple and the point wood is ebony as well as the butt sleeve. You also notice the famous "Bushka" ring just above the wrap.
Even thought the cue weighs in @ 21.0 oz. depending on which 12.4 mm shaft was used, you notice the cue has just about a perfect balance and feels much lighter. The ivory ferrules look great and match the rest of the cue. The length of the butt and shafts are 28 5/8th inches for a perfect split.
Fast forward to 2000-2009, Mr. Murphy passes away and the cue was purchased from his estate by three partners. In 2009 the Balabushka, still all original, was sent to PA Tascarella Sr. for papers. The first sentence on the letter reads as follows:
"After an in-depth inspection, the cue described below is determined to be an original George Balabushka cue built in the late 60's early 70's."
Last sentence as follows:
"Cue is straight and sound and in excellent original condition."
The current owner, one of the three partners that bought out the other two parteners, is sending the Balabushka to Pete Tascarella Sr. for another set of paperwork for the cue and the 3 non-original shafts (Szambotti) and present date with current owners information on the letter.
Start doing the math on how rare this cue is-
How many ORIGINAL Balabushka's, meaning no re-finish or re-wraps, have you seen?
How many of those had a Burton Spain blank?
How many of those were 2-3 owner cues with papers from Tascarella
How many of those had ivory used in the construction?
The air is mighty thin up here...
Now listed on the Cornerstone Custom Cues web page......
In 1971 Mr. Murphy walks into George's shop to pick up his new cue. He is handed a Balabushka that was built from a Spain blank, 5/16 x 14 SS joint, Cortland 9 ply wrap, 4 windows of BEM and 8 ivory arches above and below each window. The nose of the cue is straight grained maple and the point wood is ebony as well as the butt sleeve. You also notice the famous "Bushka" ring just above the wrap.
Even thought the cue weighs in @ 21.0 oz. depending on which 12.4 mm shaft was used, you notice the cue has just about a perfect balance and feels much lighter. The ivory ferrules look great and match the rest of the cue. The length of the butt and shafts are 28 5/8th inches for a perfect split.
Fast forward to 2000-2009, Mr. Murphy passes away and the cue was purchased from his estate by three partners. In 2009 the Balabushka, still all original, was sent to PA Tascarella Sr. for papers. The first sentence on the letter reads as follows:
"After an in-depth inspection, the cue described below is determined to be an original George Balabushka cue built in the late 60's early 70's."
Last sentence as follows:
"Cue is straight and sound and in excellent original condition."
The current owner, one of the three partners that bought out the other two parteners, is sending the Balabushka to Pete Tascarella Sr. for another set of paperwork for the cue and the 3 non-original shafts (Szambotti) and present date with current owners information on the letter.
Start doing the math on how rare this cue is-
How many ORIGINAL Balabushka's, meaning no re-finish or re-wraps, have you seen?
How many of those had a Burton Spain blank?
How many of those were 2-3 owner cues with papers from Tascarella
How many of those had ivory used in the construction?
The air is mighty thin up here...
Now listed on the Cornerstone Custom Cues web page......
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