circa 1980 Palmer Custom
- Thread starter bob_bushka
- Start date
In 1980 cues from Gus Szamboti with similar to more work were going for around $1000. Maybe a few $ more. That said this cue is, IMHO, no where's near $7500... It's been damaged and repaired #1, it's made by as we know now at the time a more "production" maker #2, it is being refinished by someone other than the maker #3.... As I've stated, IMHO, NO WHERE'S NEAR $7500... In a BEST case scenario, if the blank was made by Gus, it'd be more like 2 to $3000 TOPS, less if not, OR whatever someone wants to pay...
My $.02
Wholesale cost on a Model 20 during that time period was $550, so an additional 50% for a custom but significantly less ambitious cue (Model 20s had almost 3 times the number of inlays plus sleeved shafts) would have been a significant upcharge.
I'll borrow your $0.02.......well stated
Agreed...the model 20 was a far more complicated build. I don't see the original retail on this cue being anywhere near 1600$ or even half that. Without documentation that is inflated hearsay.....like the 150lb striped bass I caught
Sounds like I am getting strong opinions on the value of this cue. I appreciate that. I am sure if Palmer was still in business it would be the place to have it repaired and refinished. George Balabushka was basically a production style maker and as I understand he farmed out his forearms to Gus and Burton. I think the main point that has been made, it is worth whatever someone is willing to pay just like anything else. It is extremely unique and can't wait to see it done.
Way understated, buddy... George pioneered way more than you know.
All the best,
WW
$750 is more correct than $7500
Take any offer you get north of $2500 after restoration
As is, take $2000
Take any offer you get north of $2500 after restoration
As is, take $2000
As-is...perhaps 1000-1200. I struggle even saying this because it's not even a functional cue now, broken with no joint.
Properly restored, maybe 2500....maybe. And then it would never be original.
If it were original and in tact, excellent to near mint...maybe 3000-4000 tops to the right collector.
All my opinion, of course.
Those numbers from 1980 cannot be correct.
As-is...perhaps 1000-1200. I struggle even saying this because it's not even a functional cue now, broken with no joint.
Properly restored, maybe 2500....maybe. And then it would never be original.
If it were original and in tact, excellent to near mint...maybe 3000-4000 tops to the right collector.
All my opinion, of course.
Those numbers from 1980 cannot be correct.
I think you are being very generous......
Ken
I think you are being very generous......
Ken
I don't think Sean is being anymore generous than anyone else.
Easy to do when you have no intention to buy it.
However the points in the picture appear to be drawn in at the tips. They are wide at the base and very thin and long at the tops. Maybe the resolution, who knows. I wouldn't even guess at the blank maker because the resolution is so bad.
Being restored, with extensive joint rework, even if you donate a third catalog Palmer for the joint it won't be original. Value? I know what I would pay, and I know what my customers would consider.
The owner can price it at what he wants and the market will tell him if he is anywhere in the ball park.
Its an interesting cue and I don't put it past Palmer to do the design.
JV
Apparently not.
IMHO, the pictures and accompanying info raise a number of questions. I wish the original poster would provide some more information and clear pictures of the unrepaired cue.
I accept that at least part of this cue was made in the Palmer shop.
I don't know how anyone can ascertain or even begin to guess the maker of the forearm from the one out of focus picture, let alone determine the veneer colors.
I strongly agree that a donor cue from the Third Catalog is necessary to do a proper repair. Assuming this IS a one-off Palmer, using modern parts will devalue the cue.
Szam bicentennial blank indeed????
A beautiful cue and amazing repair nevertheless but I love how people were making deductions from such blurry pictures.
http://www.proficientbilliards.com/cuerepair/picture.php?/63/category/15
A beautiful cue and amazing repair nevertheless but I love how people were making deductions from such blurry pictures.
http://www.proficientbilliards.com/cuerepair/picture.php?/63/category/15
Last edited:
Not a Gus blank, sheared off joint tenon (pluged and repaired), restore not buy Palmer (but probably much better by Scott) , ...... No wheres near $8k imho
Last edited: