It was you, Mr. K, in a post or a PM that said your collection is meant to be played. I have adapted that same strategy. I enjoy having some historical sets. I like my Burt Clay and my old Brunswick. I'm also going to keep my eye out for a couple more such as the Zig Zag and the Direct but the others I intend to use. If they are playable I'm going to play them.
I’ve always found there is a story, purpose or passion behind the “why” of everything (most) people do - especially “collectors” and “fun fanatics” as I’ll call them. (us ;-)
This became even more apparent when a friend and fellow player at the house was looking over my ball collection one day and asked the typical questions like “How old are they?/Are they for a special game?/What does a ball set like that cost?/Do you actually play with them or are you only preserving them for future generations?” and so on. But then he fires off the interesting question I don’t get too often: “I wonder what they used to SOUND like when people USED TO play them?”
What was that?
USED TO play them?
Au contraire, my friend!
We shall play them now and find out
That is how it started. IF there was a ball set deemed too rare or valuable or fragile for any reason, well, I’d seek out another identical sister set and play one of those, preserving the “perfect” set to be ogled, as I poked fun of doing earlier
They ALL get played. Without hesitation or reservation. Regularly. Share them and pass along the stories and the sounds of the glorious clays and the Bakelites. Even back to the early nitrocellulose creations from the late 1800’s. From the Crystallite and the polyesters to the cheap resins and the pricey phenolics . First generation Centennials versus the Hyatts.
And then there are the unique Raschigs. You’d recognize that unique “crack!” of an opening break shot anywhere as well as the sharp “clack!” during normal play. Those of you that have them know exactly what I’m talking about.
It was, and still is the uniqueness in SOUND that I appreciate along with every unique nuance in design - and of course the stories of how they all came to be.
And the only way to experience all of THAT, my friends, is to play them. On the shelf, they are only objects and stories. But playing them on the table and in your hands, well, now we have experienced them!
Even the Romaniques
Anyone for a game of Roman Empire?
~ K.