................................

I was working at a beseball card shop back in the 80's and 90's. Some of the folks in the industry scoffed at the idea of a post-war issue Topps card selling for tens of thousands of dollars.

Heck, I could have picked up a 52 Mantle in great shape about 500 dollars.

Nowdays, not so much.

This might the the golden time to pick up a Gus for 10 grand.
 
runout1961 said:
We all know Gus' cues will always apreciate in value. But, how much more can they possible go up in value? I know what price I bought my Gus at, and I feel I got a decent deal. It's not a plain four pointer either. I was just thinking about the future and what my cue will be worth in 5 or ten years....or 15 or 20 years for that matter?

But then again, I guess folks were saying the same thing 5 or 10 years ago. What? A Gus costs that much? That's rediculous....at the time. But I am certain any of us would buy one today at 5 years ago prices ten times over. I feel extremely fortunate to own one of Gus' cues and am personally going to hold on to mine for as long as possible. And, hopefully get another in the future.

So what's your take on whether they go up or not? Do ya'll think they will continue to climb in value over the future years? Obviously yes....but how much further can they possibly go up in value?
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Most likely the value of your cue will increase. However, like any collectable item, the value is determined by the market and the market is not predictable. The value of any collectable is based on how much one person is willing to pay for it.
 
Rich R. said:
Most likely the value of your cue will increase. However, like any collectable item, the value is determined by the market and the market is not predictable. The value of any collectable is based on how much one person is willing to pay for it.
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perfect post.

only thing i can add is there are only x amount of gus's. some/most will go into collections and wont see the light of day until the estate sale. i think they can increase just bc they are less and less everday
 
I feel Gus cues will continue to depreciate, so as a personal favor to you, if you would like to get out of it now before your loss becomes to great let me know. I will give you half of what you paid for it before it is unmarketable.:grin:
 
I was told by a collector and dealer that as long as Barry is making cues and they continue to appreciate in value, the value of Gus' cues will also continue to rise- it seems logical.
 
Gus-1 - Strad-1

Szamboti and Stradivari must have had the same ancestors
 
runout1961 said:
Very true. What makes one even more special is when it's in GREAT condition.

I know everyone always says they were meant to be played with and I couldn't agree with that more. But then again, how strong is it to see a Gus cue that looks like it was delivered last week?
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IMHO, that is sad. To see a Gus cue in perfect condition means that the cue was never used as Gus intended and it was a waste of his craftsmanship.
 
runout1961 said:
I agree. All cues were made to be played with. As a player he will have the most beat up, dinged, dirty worn Gus cue.....but some folks thinks it's just as great to see one in pristine condition. It's all personal preferance I guess. It wouldn't matter to me either way.
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The folks that like the pristine cues are some of the collectors who want to preserve them for ever or those who think of the cues as investments. To me, that is just wrong. I have played with every cue I own. I think all cue makers want the cues to be used. They put so much time and hard work into developing the right balance and feel it is a shame not to use the cues.
 
I play with all my cues except the one I just got refinished, but before that I used to play with that one quite a bit. I believe Ernie said that the cues need to breath once in a while, so please take them out and hit a few balls.
 
Szamboti

The Szamboti name is very well known to the pool cue industry of custom cues. Being a high end and very valuable cue. To me the value depends on how many people want the cue and what they are willing to pay for it that determines value.
 
Antique Duck Decoys

I remember talking about this very subject with John Wright before he passed (I'm sure most of you know John), he felt the real appreciation hadn't started as yet. John believed it as analogous to the collectable guitar or wood duck decoy market, here is a snippet from the web you might find interesting:

"Steven O’Brien Arts, a Boston gallery that specializes in antique duck decoys. In 2007 he brokered a record-breaking sale of two famous birds. They fetched a jaw-dropping price. O’BRIEN: $1.13 million a piece. One was a preening Canada Goose and one was a Preening Pintail"

Why wouldn't Gus or Balabushka's works someday be as valued as a duck decoy?

Interesting food for thought.
 
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