History of Rich Cues

[cueman]

There have been threads about Rich Cue aka Rich Q in the past and most either talked about Sol Rich or Abe Rich who eventually went out on his own.

Here is some additional information sent to me by the last owner of Rich Cue.

RICH CUE HISTORY
By Isaac Algaze

I was born February 15 1926 and raised through the depression years. I joined the navy in 1944 and went through the invasion of Italy and France.
In the 50s I opened a company called Family Billiard Parlour and sold billiard supplies.
I am the last owner of Rich Cue and I am still around living in Boynton Beach Florida and age 89 years.
I purchased the company from Sol Rich around 1970 when the factory was in Valley Stream New York. I moved it to Freeport Long Island and in 1980 sold it to Imperial Billiard Supplies with the intent for them to handle the sales and I would run the factory. “This did not happen”
I left Imperial and opened my own factory in the Dominican Republic and produced 2 piece cues and one piece cues. Samples were sent to Brunswick and they were very pleased with the product and informed me that they would be replacing other company cues to use only mine.
It took them four years to get rid of “the junk from TaiWan” and gave me an order for 3000 one piece cues. It was too late as I was already out of business and moving back to the USA.
I have in my possession some of the samples and some are with leather wrap.
I am living now in Boynton Beach Florida.
Sincerely,
Isaac Algaze

 

[BayGene]

Rich Cues

Thank you for adding to the history which I have posted on AZ and on Wikipedia. Saul Rich's shop was indeed on Hook Creek Boulevard in Valley Stream and not in Freeport (until Ike moved it) as several sources like the Blue Book have reported over the years.

 

[Type79]

Rich Cues

Thank you for this information.

I have been looking for information on this era of RICH cues and have had zero success finding anything.

If anyone has any catalogs or can direct me to them, I would be most grateful.

 

[BayGene]

Rich Cue items

These are from Saul Rich's shop, not to be confused with Abe Rich's shops in Miami and Miami Beach.

 

[1pocketjohn]

I own a Rich cue from about 1967

 

[David Sorensen]

My mint RICH CUE , INCREDIBLY STRAIGHT & pretty much unplayed & I’m guessing it’s 50 yrs old Brazilian Rosewood with MOP inlays….The last time this cue was played with was by “ JERSEY JOE CONESSA “ r.i.p. @ RACK’S POOL HALL IN SANFORD,FLORIDA early 2023 & he loved it

 

[GoldCrown]

I own a Rich cue from about 1967

$32.00 ??

 

[David Sorensen]

$32.00 ??

What does it look like ? And is it a Abe Rich vs Sol Rich ?.

 

[Jaden]

Here's my higher end RichQ from 1974, or maybe it was a 1976 model. It originally had a black linen wrap and a clear acrylic window on the wood just below the bottom most MOP ring on the butt with a gold leaf RichQ emblem below it. Many years ago, the acrylic broke and the gold leaf wore off and several years ago after rewrapping it, I decided I liked the look of the tiger maple beneath the wrap and I converted it to wrapless.

Still one of the most solid hitting and beautiful cues I've ever hit with. Although at 57" it's a little short for my 6'1" frame.

Jaden

 

[Chopdoc]

Here's my higher end RichQ from 1974, or maybe it was a 1976 model. It originally had a black linen wrap and a clear acrylic window on the wood just below the bottom most MOP ring on the butt with a gold leaf RichQ emblem below it. Many years ago, the acrylic broke and the gold leaf wore off and several years ago after rewrapping it, I decided I liked the look of the tiger maple beneath the wrap and I converted it to wrapless.

Still one of the most solid hitting and beautiful cues I've ever hit with. Although at 57" it's a little short for my 6'1" frame.

That's a Model 76W in the 1976 Rich Q catalog.

 

[Chopdoc]

This is mine. My notes say it is a Model 5-M, but I think that is an error. I am not sure of the original model designation, but I think mine is more like 1973.

 

[Chopdoc]

December 1973 The New National Billiard News.

 

[GoldCrown]

That's a Model 76W in the 1976 Rich Q catalog.

View attachment 811974

Love that 76M..classic Rich

 

[Chopdoc]

I will toss these in this thread for posterity. There is a little age showing in the window, but they are otherwise almost perfect. 1976 Model 76E. I would love to find a Model 76F and a 76D. Of course, any of the early cues in nice condition would be a great find.

 

[GoldCrown]

I play with a person that has his father’s cue. It is in “good” condition considering it a daily player. Can we get a value ? Not for sale. It's a keeper.

 

[Chopdoc]

I play with a person that has his father’s cue. It is in “good” condition considering it a daily player. Can we get a value ? Not for sale. It's a keeper.

It's his father's cue, priceless.

Typically such cues go for between 100 and 150, sometimes less, like 75. I got the fancy higher end 8 point cue I posted in an open auction for only 132.

If you can identify the year and/or model it can attract better money sometimes.

I like the cue myself. If I were going after it in an auction I would likely go up to 125, but I consider myself a "strong" buyer in the market for such cues. I like the era and genre and am currently actively collecting the early Gandy cues. I like these too and will grab one, especially if I see a bargain. I have others.

I actually saved that picture for my records.

 

[Chopdoc]

I thought this should be posted here:

Isaac Algaze​

February 15, 1926~March 05, 2019​

Isaac Algaze, age 93, a long time resident of Davie, passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at Memorial Hospital West.
Born in 1926 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Morris and Rachel (Eskenazi) Algaze. Isaac was a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Navy. He then became a clothing salesman until retiring. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be missed terribly. Pre-deceased by his daughter, Barbara Algaze.
His memory will be forever cherished by his wife, Dorothee Algaze; his daughters, Rae Levenson and Lydia (Steven) Kruger; and grandchildren, Robert Levenson, Shelly Kruger, and Andrew Kruger.