Help Identify This Cue!

[Benelli]

So this was for sale in the for sale thread the owner said they purchased it directly from Dorothy Wise who told him it was a Richard Black. I'm almost 92% positive that it is not an early unsigned Black.

1. The joint is a 5/16-18 that is not piloted

2. The butt cap is kind of unfinished with no bumper

3. The butt sleeve is not like any RB I've come across, honestly it looks more like a Huebler

4. There are initials stamped near the joint and on the shaft of EK you can clearly see in the photos.

Her are some pics I grabbed for folks to evaluate.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[HawaiianEye]

I had two early Black cues and neither resembled this cue.

 

[Benelli]

I have a 85 and 95 this was supposed to be mid to late 70's. I've not seen examples of his work from that period so had nothing to compare too.

 

[Chopdoc]

I've not seen examples of his work from that period so had nothing to compare too.

I have. I think I have pics on my PC. Does not look like this.

Can we see tips of points? Wonder if veneers are mitered or butted.

I'm out of town. Will look for my pics late tonight or tomorrow.

 

[JPB2]

Does look Huebleresque doesn’t it.

 

[HawaiianEye]

I have a 85 and 95 this was supposed to be mid to late 70's. I've not seen examples of his work from that period so had nothing to compare too.

Mine were made in 1978 and 1981.

 

[Benelli]

I have. I think I have pics on my PC. Does not look like this.

Can we see tips of points? Wonder if veneers are mitered or butted.

I'm out of town. Will look for my pics late tonight or tomorrow.

Here you go Doc

 

[Benelli]

One thing I will say is a Richard Black trait that this cue has is a long courtland wrap section that is 14" long. I've heard that RB early on was known for longer grip sections on his cues.

 

[Chopdoc]

View attachment 845118View attachment 845119
Here you go Doc

Those look like butted veneers, not mitered.

 

[garczar]

I had two early Black cues and neither resembled this cue.

I had three('79 thru'82) and none looked remotely like this.

 

[straightline]

I see some shrinkage/expansion. Is this normal?

 

[Benelli]

Those look like butted veneers, not mitered.

Yeah agreed clearly stacked.

 

[Benelli]

I see some shrinkage/expansion. Is this normal?

Where?

 

[straightline]

Where?

 

[Benelli]

No it's just the crappy varnish but the cue is in desperate need of a refinish

 

[triley41395]

I guess this is a pretty obvious answer, but has anyone tried contacting Richard?
Although it doesn't look like a Black to me, I've not seen many pictures of his early cues, and none in person.

 

[Benelli]

I guess this is a pretty obvious answer, but has anyone tried contacting Richard?
Although it doesn't look like a Black to me, I've not seen many pictures of his early cues, and none in person.

I have a contact who sent him the photos, but there are some pretty smart cats on this website and I value their opinions.

The owner of the cue emailed Richard some photos of the cue and he said it was his which is why I bought it. But once I got it in hand I really doubted it was one of his but would love to be wrong!

 

[triley41395]

I have a contact who sent him the photos, but there are some pretty smart cats on this website and I value their opinions.

The owner of the cue emailed Richard some photos of the cue and he said it was his which is why I bought it. But once I got it in hand I really doubted it was one of his but would love to be wrong!

I hope your wrong also, I hope it is an early black.

 

[Chopdoc]

I have a contact who sent him the photos, but there are some pretty smart cats on this website and I value their opinions.

The owner of the cue emailed Richard some photos of the cue and he said it was his which is why I bought it. But once I got it in hand I really doubted it was one of his but would love to be wrong!

Do you have those emails?

 

[straightline]

No it's just the crappy varnish but the cue is in desperate need of a refinish

So the coating levels the piece? I bet that saves many years waiting for the work to settle. Also what does the EX stand for?