Beyond the fact that a pool cue is an obvious necessity in the game of billiards, collectible pool cues are outselling some of the most beautifully painted pieces, sculptures, and other highly regarded works of art from around the world.
The two most collectible names are cues created by George Balabushka and his protege Gus Szamboti. Balabushka, considered the best cue maker of his day, created cues for professional pool players, and after his time had come to an end, Szamboti stepped in as the predominant cue maker of his day. Szamboti’s son Barry still makes cues today, and has a waiting list for those interested.
Other than the cue being required to have utility, the cue’s "curb appeal" if you will, the difficulty of its construction, and the cue’s credentials all factor into its collectibility and price range. “Some collectors only collect on principle of history,” says Windham. “They want the cue to have a story.” Windham doesn’t limit his collection to cues of history, but one cue of his does have a story of its own.
"Jimmy Mataya [an American professional pool player] owned it, but George Balabushka made the cue,” says Paul Windham. The cue he speaks of has an emerald colored base which he tells me is made of #9 Courtland, a linen fishing line wrapped finely around the handle. #9 Courtland line is no longer made, making the cue a bit rarer. “This cue was used in The Color of Money. You can see it for a moment in the film.”
If you’re interested in learning more about collectible cues, check out CBC’s Cue and Case Show Oct. 27th through 30th. Free to the public, this event will display cues of all kinds for those interested to admire as well as a billiards tournament.
Read more here -- Exploring, Enjoying the Art of Cues [Retrieved 11 August 2016]
Thank you, Dana Bufalo, for sharing this great pool read!
The two most collectible names are cues created by George Balabushka and his protege Gus Szamboti. Balabushka, considered the best cue maker of his day, created cues for professional pool players, and after his time had come to an end, Szamboti stepped in as the predominant cue maker of his day. Szamboti’s son Barry still makes cues today, and has a waiting list for those interested.
Other than the cue being required to have utility, the cue’s "curb appeal" if you will, the difficulty of its construction, and the cue’s credentials all factor into its collectibility and price range. “Some collectors only collect on principle of history,” says Windham. “They want the cue to have a story.” Windham doesn’t limit his collection to cues of history, but one cue of his does have a story of its own.
"Jimmy Mataya [an American professional pool player] owned it, but George Balabushka made the cue,” says Paul Windham. The cue he speaks of has an emerald colored base which he tells me is made of #9 Courtland, a linen fishing line wrapped finely around the handle. #9 Courtland line is no longer made, making the cue a bit rarer. “This cue was used in The Color of Money. You can see it for a moment in the film.”
If you’re interested in learning more about collectible cues, check out CBC’s Cue and Case Show Oct. 27th through 30th. Free to the public, this event will display cues of all kinds for those interested to admire as well as a billiards tournament.
Read more here -- Exploring, Enjoying the Art of Cues [Retrieved 11 August 2016]
Thank you, Dana Bufalo, for sharing this great pool read!
