Need Help with Value of a Paul Mottey Pool Cue

G-in-Arizona

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This is an original Paul Mottey custom cue. It was made in 1985. It was handed down to me and I need to know the value of the stick. If anyone knows anything about Paul Mottey cues, would you please send me in the right direction so I can sell this and give it a good home.

Now, about the stick. It comes with 4 shafts, all made by Mottey. Here are some of the specs:

16.2 oz butt

1st shaft is 3.5 oz with a 12.85 mm tip

2nd shaft is 3.5 oz with a 12.65 mm tip

3rd shaft is 3.9 oz with a 12.50 mm tip

4th shaft is 3.7 oz with a 12.33 mm tip

Overall length of the stick is 59 inches

5/16x14 stainless steel piloted joint

Multiple mother of pearl diamonds

I believe 2 shafts have ivory ferrules

Irish linen wrap
 

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IMO, the case will be the easiest sell. Original Its George cases are always in high demand. If you price it at $300, you'll sell it in a few days. If you price it at $400, it might take a couple months. Most of the Its George cases were 2x4 and much simpler.

The cue I'd put at $1600, and you will probably have to sit on it a while. $1600 buys a lot of brand new cue today from the many cue makers. If you price it at $1300, I think you will sell it in a week or two.

The high end cue market is not like it was in the 1990s.

Respectfully, and IMO.
 
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I don’t know why you’ve been taking so much heat for this cue.

I think it’s an important Mottey.

The design looks somewhere between what Frank Coster was doing and what Joss would be doing for the next decade and beyond, especially in the Varner and Sigel Professional lines.

The more I look at it, the more I like it.

There’s a Mottey Cues Facebook group. It may be better appreciated there.
 
The advice you are getting about separating the cue and case is sound imo. You will do better doing individual sales with the case in the 400 obo range.

The cue value is less straight forward in that it isn’t a typical mottey design, in fact, it’s a rather odd design but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. All you need is one person who really likes the look and appreciates the quality of pauls work. The cons are that the shafts are all on the slender side thus decreasing the potential buyer pool. The cue also looks to have been well played and may benefit from a refinish whether you do it or the buyer may want to, this is something that factors into the valuation. Perhaps the biggest consideration that could affect value is whether all pieces roll straight together and apart.

Assuming all is straight and condition is good enough to get by without a refinish, l would start off at $3700 obo and see what kind of response you get. If this were my cue to sell l would figure $2700 as my bottom line. I believe that from what l'm seeing in your pics I would spend the few hundred bucks to get the cue refinished prior to formally listing it fs. The linen wrap appears to be a bit worn, too, so I’d include that to be changed, as well.

Someone will want this cue especially when it's all shined up like a new penny.

All above is, of course, imho.

Good luck.
 
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I don’t know why you’ve been taking so much heat for this cue.

I think it’s an important Mottey.

The design looks somewhere between what Frank Coster was doing and what Joss would be doing for the next decade and beyond, especially in the Varner and Sigel Professional lines.

The more I look at it, the more I like it.

There’s a Mottey Cues Facebook group. It may be better appreciated there.
imo
good advice
 
The advice you are getting about separating the cue and case is sound imo. You will do better doing individual sales with the case in the 400 obo range.

The cue value is less straight forward in that it isn’t a typical mottey design, in fact, it’s a rather odd design but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. All you need is one person who reslly likes the look and appreciates the quality of pauls work. The cons are that the shafts are all on the slender Side thus decreasing the potential buyer pool. The cue also looks to have been played and may benefit from a refinish whether you do it or the buyer may want to, this is something that factors into the valuation. Perhaps the biggest consideration that could effect value is whether all pieces roll straight together and apart.

Assuming all is straight and condition is good enough to get by without a refinish, l would start off at $3700 obo and see what kind of response you get. If this were my cue to sell l would figure $2700 as my bottom line. I believe what l am seeing in your pics would have me spending the few hundred bucks to get the cue refinished prior to formally listing it. The linen wrap appears to be a bit worn too so I’d include that being changed as well.

Someone will want this cue especially when shined up like a new penny.

All above is, of course, imho.

Good luck.
imo
good advice from a respected source
 
eBay is good if you want it out of your hair fast...

People always say that a cue is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, but a person isn’t willing to pay anything for something that they don’t know exists…

In my opinion, a lot of serious buyers for your cue don’t go near ebay.

Another, maybe better, option is to get it refinished and list in on consignment with one of the well-known dealers.

Good luck.
 

I sold this it’s George for $175 a year ago in a day or two. I’d put your case a higher value. But not a super high:) I already have my price opinion above.

The It’s George in particular there are tons of them, so “completed sales” on eBay is probably a good idea of sell-through price.

For the Mottey, you could also check “completed sales” on eBay for similar complexity models. Your cue does need a refinish, as others mentioned, so that would knock about $300 off the price imo.
 
The advice you are getting about separating the cue and case is sound imo. You will do better doing individual sales with the case in the 400 obo range.

The cue value is less straight forward in that it isn’t a typical mottey design, in fact, it’s a rather odd design but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. All you need is one person who really likes the look and appreciates the quality of pauls work. The cons are that the shafts are all on the slender side thus decreasing the potential buyer pool. The cue also looks to have been well played and may benefit from a refinish whether you do it or the buyer may want to, this is something that factors into the valuation. Perhaps the biggest consideration that could affect value is whether all pieces roll straight together and apart.

Assuming all is straight and condition is good enough to get by without a refinish, l would start off at $3700 obo and see what kind of response you get. If this were my cue to sell l would figure $2700 as my bottom line. I believe that from what l'm seeing in your pics I would spend the few hundred bucks to get the cue refinished prior to formally listing it fs. The linen wrap appears to be a bit worn, too, so I’d include that to be changed, as well.

Someone will want this cue especially when it's all shined up like a new penny.

All above is, of course, imho.

Good luck.
Sound advice!
 
Here is the ebay for "completed" and "sold" for Its George Case. They range from about 150 to 500 for the hard styles. There is a 3x6 like yours, but in tan, that sold for the highest at 500.


I could not find any completed listings for Paul Motley. There are two cues there now in current auctions. I'd bet the house neither would sell at the prices being asked.

6900 BIN

2750 BIN
 
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I just made arrangements for the stick to be refinished as iusedtoberich and others had mentioned. It should be ready and back to me by June 10th. You guys are great with all the information you're giving me. Thanks again.
 
I just made arrangements for the stick to be refinished as iusedtoberich and others had mentioned. It should be ready and back to me by June 10th. You guys are great with all the information you're giving me. Thanks again.
Who is doing it.
 
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