Originally Posted by lfigueroa
"And despite the trolls here who are running around with their torches and pitchforks, all will be well. Ivory cues will retain, if not increase in value, because they will, over time, become more scarce."
I think Lou is right.........when it comes to prices of any types of artifacts or pool cues. the two primary determining factors for determining price are rarity and scarcity. When a talented cue-maker produces a small annual volume of pool cues,the overall likelihood is that the demand for those cues will be high.....often resulting in long waiting lists. Additionally, not all of the cues a cue-maker produces will use ivory for the joint, ferrules & decorative designs so there's really a mixture of cues but the best designs generally would have used ivory...IMO as supported by all 3 editions of the Blue Book of Cues.
Rarity means how many of those cues designs did that cue-maker produce in his lifetime......and with ivory cues no longer being made by some cue-makers, that number is now capped for all perpetuity. Scarcity means how many of those same cue designs can be located and are "currently available" for sale....those cues may exist but how many are sold annually.......and the smaller the number, the higher the price based upon the market principles of rarity & scarcity which decides the supply & demand scenario.
So while I did not acquire my EP cue originally for the purposes of making a profit, I'm starting to think the current outlook sure seems to favor that outcome. The two matching shafts Ed was making for me is now dead since he can't use ivory ferrules so I am out of luck. However, the shafts on my cue are 13mm so that should work in my favor not being tooth pick size. Let's face it......the outlook right now is a total crap shoot, nonetheless, my gut tells me some cue-makers' cues are going to jump in value. I think my EP will be just such a cue and if it doesn't, no big deal since I acquired it for personal play so I can't lose no matter what. Anyway, I betcha by 2020, its value would be a lot greater & thank goodness I've got plenty of cues to use in the meantime. I'm starting to think it might be time to store the EP away just in case I am right.