Back before recorded time.. (for collectors and old timers) King Kustom Cases

classiccues

classiccues

Morgan set complete...
Silver Member
There was a case company out of Memphis called "King Kustom cases" Does anyone remember them, have one, know of one, remember the company?

These might be the oldest known "leather western style cases". They had heavy stitching (lacing) and had sheepskin interiors.


JV
 
Here is a pic, I believe of their envelope case.

envelope_front_hi.jpg


The hard cases also had the same clasp...



JV
 

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That is a good find, I wonder if Bill has any other pics of the case, and / or label...

JV
 
classiccues said:
There was a case company out of Memphis called "King Kustom cases" Does anyone remember them, have one, know of one, remember the company?

These might be the oldest known "leather western style cases". They had heavy stitching (lacing) and had sheepskin interiors.


JV
Click to expand...

I restored one for an AZB'er. I also made him a replica of his case for his collection. The one I did was the envelope style done with one piece of leather, folded and laced.
 
classiccues said:
Here is a pic, I believe of their envelope case.

envelope_front_hi.jpg


The hard cases also had the same clasp...



JV
Click to expand...

I have never seen that one as a King Kase. The one I had was the same as the one Cornerstone has listed. It was done without sewing. The name and phone number was stamped just below the lip on the front under the flap. The stamp was the rubber stamp type and not embedded in the leather.

This clasp is common in leather working.

Does yours have a stamp on it?
 
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classiccues said:
Well looks like this may be the rarest of all the handmade cases.

JV
Click to expand...

Why would you say that? Ever heard of a Curtis case? That one is rarer I would say. I have only seen one example. As well there have been many unidentified leather cases that have shown up throughout the years.

Rare yes, but rarest probably not. But then again I am not a collector so I don't really know or care much about how rare something is unless I am trying to sell it. Seems to me that obscure brand cases such as the King Kustom Kases don't really get anyone as excited as interesting Fellini's do.

I suppose that if one were to compare it to ceramics it would be like comparing Hummels to some unknown maker that only did a few pieces. The unknown maker's pieces are certainly much more rare but also at the same not worth anything.
 
I live here in Memphis and I will ask around the pool hall and try to get the story.

Ken
 
JB Cases said:
I restored one for an AZB'er. I also made him a replica of his case for his collection. The one I did was the envelope style done with one piece of leather, folded and laced.
Click to expand...

Of course a case thread where JB needs to invoke his "Look at me" I made a copy clause... its not like any of us are surprised you made yet another copy of a case designed by someone else.

JV
 
JB Cases said:
Why would you say that? Ever heard of a Curtis case? That one is rarer I would say. I have only seen one example. As well there have been many unidentified leather cases that have shown up throughout the years.

Rare yes, but rarest probably not. But then again I am not a collector so I don't really know or care much about how rare something is unless I am trying to sell it. Seems to me that obscure brand cases such as the King Kustom Kases don't really get anyone as excited as interesting Fellini's do..
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Actually John, the case made by me when I was 12 is rarer, but I was going off of known producers of cases. But yet even rarer than the JV case is the JB case. This we know.

But nice coming into a thread where we are trying to gather information for the written record and turning into a me, me me thread. Of course I am sure you'll insist that since I started a case thread that subliminally this thread MUST be about you or China.

Well genius, this thread is to do exactly as it says, and that is gather information on an extinct case company. Nice bringing the thread to your level, you petty little man.

JB Cases said:
I suppose that if one were to compare it to ceramics it would be like comparing Hummels to some unknown maker that only did a few pieces. The unknown maker's pieces are certainly much more rare but also at the same not worth anything.
Click to expand...

Sometimes even the known makers work isn't worth anything....

JV
 
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classiccues said:
Here is a pic, I believe of their envelope case.

envelope_front_hi.jpg


The hard cases also had the same clasp...



JV
Click to expand...
My old road partner Gary Spaeth had and used one like in the lower smaller picture in your Post #2 . He carried it for many years.For some reason my post only shows the top pic.
 
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cuesmith said:
My old road partner Gary Spaeth had and used one like in the lower smaller picture in your Post #2 . He carried it for many years.For some reason my post only shows the top pic.
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Thanks Sherm... there is a great pic of one owned by Mosconi in the Billiard Encyclopedias under Rambow. My case, the one pictured, I BELIEVE could be a King. It is a straight envelope case with NO sheepskin. Could be a totally different model, could not even be one, who knows.

JV
 
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classiccues said:
Of course a case thread where JB needs to invoke his "Look at me" I made a copy clause... its not like any of us are surprised you made yet another copy of a case designed by someone else.

JV
Click to expand...

Well if you knew anything about case making in general you would know that the pattern to make this case is common and the King Kustom was only using the same pattern in a longer version. Actually a very inefficient way to make cue cases because of the length of leather needed.

I don't know why you have to act like a jerk all the time. I made this replica because I wanted to do one for Alan as a gift. Not because I intend to make or sell them but if I did then I suppose it wouldn't be any different than Ron Thomas copying It's George and Centennial would it?
 
JB Cases said:
I don't know why you have to act like a jerk all the time. I made this replica because I wanted to do one for Alan as a gift. Not because I intend to make or sell them but if I did then I suppose it wouldn't be any different than Ron Thomas copying It's George and Centennial would it?
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You come into a thread, that is asking for information on a very specific case company, try to say look at me, look at me, I made this, I did that, and I am acting like the jerk.

John you are such a loser, its not even funny at this point. This thread was started for a very specific reason, and you set out to derail it and you'll get your wish somewhat.. nice going. A thread gets started for the good of collecting and to have information and YOU destroy it.

Guess that is why you've been invited to Atlanta right? That's your value in a microcosm. Why don't you just drop it and leave the thread for its intended purpose, you self centered nit. Just back off and let the people who can help, help. Just sit back, steal the pics that are posted and make some more copies. If you cannot help with the initial request STFU.

JV
 
classiccues said:
Actually John, the case made by me when I was 12 is rarer, but I was going off of known producers of cases. But yet even rarer than the JV case is the JB case. This we know.
Click to expand...

Always the nicest guy in the world huh? You can't be civil for even 3 seconds. Well, that's your burden to carry.



But nice coming into a thread where we are trying to gather information for the written record and turning into a me, me me thread. Of course I am sure you'll insist that since I started a case thread that subliminally this thread MUST be about you or China.
Click to expand...

I guess my information was not relevant to the thread? Seems to me that you are trying to connect your unknown case to King Kustoms and TRYING to make it into a "rare" thing. Presumably so that you can justify asking a lot for it. This is ONLY my guess since you have been trying to sell it for a while.

Well genius, this thread is to do exactly as it says, and that is gather information on an extinct case company. Nice bringing the thread to your level, you petty little man.
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Huh? I provided information as to the company in question. With a picture.



Sometimes even the known makers work isn't worth anything....

JV
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And sometimes they aren't "worth" even half of what's being asked for. What are you asking for this simple leather case you are trying to establish a provenance for?

What should a case that is made of two pieces of leather sewn up with simple sewing and a common latch sell for?

Would it be worth more if it were done by King Kustoms from Memphis?

I admit that I am very ignorant of what old cues and cases should be worth. I don't deal in them nor do I deal in telling people that anything I make will be ever be collectible. I will leave all that up to dealers like you who participate in and influence the collectible market. Seems to me that there is definitely some voodoo magic involved when you can take a product that was originally $60 and now it's $2400 40 years later. Then again a ming dynasty vase sold for 54 million a few years ago at auction. Maybe you should put this amazing leather sleeve up for auction on Ebay and see what it fetches.
 
classiccues said:
You come into a thread, that is asking for information on a very specific case company, try to say look at me, look at me, I made this, I did that, and I am acting like the jerk.

John you are such a loser, its not even funny at this point. This thread was started for a very specific reason, and you set out to derail it and you'll get your wish somewhat.. nice going. A thread gets started for the good of collecting and to have information and YOU destroy it.

Guess that is why you've been invited to Atlanta right? That's your value in a microcosm. Why don't you just drop it and leave the thread for its intended purpose, you self centered nit. Just back off and let the people who can help, help. Just sit back, steal the pics that are posted and make some more copies. If you cannot help with the initial request STFU.

JV
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I was invited to the International Cue Collectors Show in Atlanta for the inaugural case makers participation. Because of the ongoing feud between Jack Justis and myself some folks have asked that either Jack or me be invited to display but not both. After a vote of whatever committee was set up by Will Prout the decision was made to invite Jack this year and rescind my invitiation.

Which is fine with me and fully understandable considering the public display of animosity I have demonstrated since March towards Jack's statements about our products. The last thing anyone wants is any sort of disruption at that show and while I certainly would not have been the instigator there are other parties who most likely would have caused issues with me being there.

Are you happy now? If you would like to start a thread to discuss this since you have been hinting at it for weeks feel free. My cases will be there however and it's the work that counts and not whether I am physically there or not. Will you be there? I have not seen you there during any of the ones I have attended?

As for the topic I posted several statements that were on topic. I am not even sure if you have ever held an actual King Kustom Kase. Not only did I hold one I restored it. Personally.
 
classiccues said:
Thanks Sherm... there is a great pic of one owned by Mosconi in the Billiard Encyclopedias under Rambow. My case, the one pictured, I BELIEVE could be a King. It is a straight envelope case with NO sheepskin. Could be a totally different model, could not even be one, who knows.

JV
Click to expand...

Based on my study of cases I would say that the case you have is most likely NOT a King Kase.

The only examples of King Kases that I have seen did not use any sewing and were done using a very old leather case pattern for making small cases without the use of sewing.

The latch is common to case making across the board.
 
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