Herman Rambow Cue Restoration ?

[CPhilipRoss]

I started playing pool & 3 cushion billiards when attending the University of Illinois in 1961. My first cue was a Brunswick "Willie Hoppe". In 1964 I met Herman Rambow in his shop on Walbash Ave. in Chicago, and he repaired one of the shafts on my Hoppe cue. In 1966 I had graduated, and finally purchased my Rambow cue. I believe he died a few years later. I played with it until ~ 1985, when I purchased my first of two Burton Spain cues (which I still use today).

Last month I had my second Spain cue refinished / refurbished by a restorer in Bridgeton, NJ. (he did a great job) This cue meant a lot to me because when I visited Burton in his home shop on Division Street in Chicago, I described the second cue I wanted him build for me. He replied that I had described his personal cue. He was also a 3-cusion player and we shared similar high run of 10. When he offered to sell me his personal cue at the time I immediately bought it (actually discounted from his list price at the time of only $675 !).

This week I took my Rambow cue back to New Jersey, I expecting have a similar restoration done on this cue. He refused because it's potential value might be diminished. It still has the original wrap, as well as my name & initials on the cue.

My questions for this forum, are whether I should have anything done to the cue before I offer it for sale? and how should I proceed with selling it? Any comments or advice would be appreciated. I can send photo's if this would help. Thanks.

 

[tsp&b]

Leave it be!

Leave it be, Don't do anything to it. Document as much of the history as possible. Post it in the wanted/forsale forum here. There are a lot of collectors who check in here on a regular basis.

 

[runingman]

PLEASE DO NOT REFINISH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rambows are getting harder and harder to find in original condition. It would look nice refinished but why mess with what a master created. I would like to see some pics of your Rambow if you would post some. As far as a price goes shoot me a pm.

 

[olsonsview]

let it be!

I agree with other posters to keep alterations to a minimum. I repaired a Rambow this past summer for a customer. I kept the repair as simple and structurally sound as possible. I also advised him not to refinish it, it is all original from what i can see. My customer plays with his every day for many hours a day at a local pool hall. He had an internal buzz that he insisted I repair. I had suggested he let it be, put it away, and buy a new cue for a player. But he liked playing with the Rambow, and did not care that it was a collector item nowadays. I am allowed to play with it when I like as well. Herman might smile about this fuss, he built his cues to play pool, not to adorn a cabinet.