***2013 ICCS pics***

[MediocrityNC]

First off, thank you to Will Prout for putting this great event together. It was wonderful to see some of the greatest collections from around the country and world. Also a big thanks to all of the exhibitors who attended. They were all very friendly, allowed everyone to hold and examine their cues, and had some great stories to share on their collections.

It was also great to see some of the best cuemakers and case makers in the world there. They all had some masterful work on display and for sell. I'm sure I'll forget 1 or 2, but those in attendance were:

Richard Black
Chris Nitti
Andy Gilbert
PFD
AE
Thomas Wayne
Jack Justice
Quiverz
McWorter
Zen

I had a great time and hopefully will be able to display a collection there one day as well. Once again, thank you to all the exhibitors and Mr. Prout for a great show and for sharing this with the public. It was really an incredible display of "functional art."

I also need to send a special thanks to Gian/"Drawman623" for the story he shared with my girlfriend and I about some of the history of the Szamboti's, his friendship with Barry and Art Cantando, and what makes the new project he's doing with the original templates from Gus' inlay designs so special. It made her see a completely different side to cues and what got me starting to collect more recently, and also taught me a lot about what makes some of those cues even more special.

Sorry to ramble, but it was a great experience and hope that more from AZ will get to experience the show at some point.

P.S.
My pics aren't the best, but you can still see some of the incredible work that was shown.

Thanks,
Matt Fralin

 

[MediocrityNC]

Plus..........

 

[MediocrityNC]

And.......

 

[MediocrityNC]

These too.......

 

[MediocrityNC]

Lastly....

 

[fourkingscues]

First off, thank you to Will Prout for putting this great event together. It was wonderful to see some of the greatest collections from around the country and world. Also a big thanks to all of the exhibitors who attended. They were all very friendly, allowed everyone to hold and examine their cues, and had some great stories to share on their collections.

It was also great to see some of the best cuemakers and case makers in the world there. They all had some masterful work on display and for sell. I'm sure I'll forget 1 or 2, but those in attendance were:

Richard Black
Chris Nitti
Andy Gilbert
PFD
AE
Thomas Wayne
Jack Justice
Quiverz
McWorter
Zen

I had a great time and hopefully will be able to display a collection there one day as well. Once again, thank you to all the exhibitors and Mr. Prout for a great show and for sharing this with the public. It was really an incredible display of "functional art."

I also need to send a special thanks to Gian/"Drawman623" for the story he shared with my girlfriend and I about some of the history of the Szamboti's, his friendship with Barry and Art Cantando, and what makes the new project he's doing with the original templates from Gus' inlay designs so special. It made her see a completely different side to cues and what got me starting to collect more recently, and also taught me a lot about what makes some of those cues even more special.

Sorry to ramble, but it was a great experience and hope that more from AZ will get to experience the show at some point.

P.S.
My pics aren't the best, but you can still see some of the incredible work that was shown.

Thanks,
Matt Fralin

Matt,
Very nice post about ICCS ,,John(Drawman623) is a Hell of a nice guy,,!!,,,Glad you enjoy the show,,

Take Care
Kenny

 

[Drawman623]

Matt
It was a great pleasure talking to you guys...really the reason I chose to display this year. I had hoped a collector might take interest in something I brought and ask me to explain my reason for owning that item.

When my collecting lacked focus, I was really unable to answer that question well. Spending many thousands on cues, cases and memorabilia became a point of confusion for some who I cared about and frustration for those affected by my spending. 20 years later, I have my own answers and a clear understanding of my passion for cue collecting. Your questions cut to the heart of them.

Speaking to the two of you was just what I needed because for a moment, we shared a common understanding and you guys got a glimpse of why I am passionate within this endeavor. You had the pleasure of knowing someone had reached out to you to share something deeply personal and for our talk, I felt understood in a meaningful way. That is the essence of my collecting interest and what I term 'the highest form of cue collecting: ' friendship.

I hope to see you both again soon

 

[Drawman623]

Lastly....

The last picture you posted has my ivory handled Tonkin box cue "Pandora" near the center. It is positioned to the left of two very interesting cues. This display is of the Grand Collection where cuemakers and collectors submit a favorite cue for judgment as best in show.

Pandora earned many votes, which pleased me greatly, but the cue I voted for is the curly purple heart Kersenbrock next to it. That cue's figure was breathtaking and even though DPK used the design often, the materials spoke to a unique and singularly special example of his work. To the right of that cue is the amazing Pete Tonkin cue from the Windham collection that won Best In Show. The pics don't do it justice, but that cue's silver work is a superlative in many ways. Congratulations to Mr. Windham.

 

[Worminator]

Here are my guesses at the Grand Collection makers... I think I have them all but not sure about #2. Can you confirm Gian? What a collection of cues!

1. Black
2. Miki?
3. Nitti
4. Gilbert
5. Zen
6. Drexler
7. AE
8. Chudy
9. McWorter
10. Wayne
11. Barnhart
12. Tonkin
14. Kersenbrock
15. Tonkin

Thanks for posting the pics Matt!!!

 

[MediocrityNC]

Matt
It was a great pleasure talking to you guys...really the reason I chose to display this year. I had hoped a collector might take interest in something I brought and ask me to explain my reason for owning that item.

When my collecting lacked focus, I was really unable to answer that question well. Spending many thousands on cues, cases and memorabilia became a point of confusion for some who I cared about and frustration for those affected by my spending. 20 years later, I have my own answers and a clear understanding of my passion for cue collecting. Your questions cut to the heart of them.

Speaking to the two of you was just what I needed because for a moment, we shared a common understanding and you guys got a glimpse of why I am passionate within this endeavor. You had the pleasure of knowing someone had reached out to you to share something deeply personal and for our talk, I felt understood in a meaningful way. That is the essence of my collecting interest and what I term 'the highest form of cue collecting: ' friendship.

I hope to see you both again soon

That really does mean a lot! It was completely our pleasure, and for a beginning collector like me it brought a whole other light to collecting. The story you shared with us won't be forgotten anytime soon.

Think you might have gotten me leeway on buying a couple more cues too :grin-square:. I think I'd rather have one of the Szamboti pictures first though. I'll be in touch soon to discuss that a little further though.

Thank you again for sharing!