Hoppe Rambow cues on ebay

[runscott]

I've seen a number of Hoppe's described as original "Rambow"s lately. My understanding was that the only way to distinguish a Hoppe from a Rambow Hoppe is that the percentage chance of it being Rambow-made increases if the points were made from an exotic wood such as ebony. Here's a recent ebay example that seems to go to extra lengths to convince us that it's a Rambow. Does it have merit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7202926657

 

[Bamacues]

If the documentation is authentic and Hercek did the work, this one is way out in front of a pile of others who make those wild claims, at least. $1200 for a cue in this condition isn't too bad, if you are into these cues. I would rather have a nice Titlist conversion cue, personally.

 

[Jeff]

I bought a beautiful Skip Weston from the gentleman selling that cue. I have nothing but good things to say about him.

I would have NO doubts about buying anything from him.

 

[TATE]

I believe it's a Rambow because it is so well documented.

I would put Deno's evaluation on the front page of that ad and I would believe him as it being a Rambow because he knows and doesn't guess at these sort of things. Can Deno be fooled? Sure he can be, but I would have to believe that if it was so good to have tricked Deno, it is NOW a Rambow!

I do not like the fact that this cue has no inscription and no provenance (history).

With that being said, I am skeptical of any expensive, famous, historic cue that doesn't come with history and/or documentation (testament letters from credible resources, shipping boxes, receipts, logo's).

I am somewhat skeptical of any cue that can be copied for profit. I am collecting a few Rambows but only models, preferably with an inscription which can be documented.

Chris

 

[Jeff]

That's a nice Richard Black he's got for sale too.

 

[cuenut]

I would also like to know how to tell the difference between a Rambow and a generic Titlist cue of the same era. I have a Titlist cue that appears never to have been refinished. The weight is stamped on the forearm, but there is not "Willie Hoppe" stamped on the forearm. What give a cue away as being a possible Rambow, or, more specifically, give you a sure indication that it is not? Thanks for any feedback.

I'm sure there are many Titlist cues out there that are passed off as normal Titlist cues, but are actually Rambows.

 

[cueaddicts]

....I'm sure there are many Titlist cues out there that are passed off as normal Titlist cues, but are actually Rambows.

And furthermore, some of these old Titlist based cues could even be early Petersens, Schragers, Horns, etc.....any of several cuemakers who were also making cues in the 60's era. That's what makes a lot of these vintage cues very tough to properly identify.

Sean

 

[runscott]

I beleive it's a Rambow because it is so well documented.

I would put Deno's evaluation on the front page of that ad and I would believe him as it being a Rambow because he knows and doesn't guess at these sort of things. Can Deno be fooled? Sure he can be, but I would have to believe that if it was so good to have tricked Deno, it is NOW a Rambow!

Yes, that makes sense - but what is it about the cue that makes him certain it is a Rambow? A true Rambow would sell for a lot more than $2-4K. The quotes from the documentation make it sound like Deno was certain he was looking at a Rambow restored by Hercek.

 

[icon]

if someones interested in buying the cue i'm sure deno or joel either one would be more than happy to tell what they know about the cue. why question it before even checking with the references?

 

[runscott]

if someones interested in buying the cue i'm sure deno or joel either one would be more than happy to tell what they know about the cue. why question it before even checking with the references?

I thought it more appropriate to ask the seller, rather than Deno and Joel who don't know me from Adam, and who aren't trying to sell the cue. I think the seller is going to provide a few key points from Deno's provenance that would explain why it is a Rambow, and this should boost his price.

I'm extremely curious - since Deno did his assessment after Hercek's restoration, and the cue points are made of the more common rosewood, there must be something in the craftsmanship that was left untouched by Hercek, which reveals that Rambow made it. Should be interesting to find out what that is.

 

[Deno J. Andrews]

I thought it more appropriate to ask the seller, rather than Deno and Joel who don't know me from Adam, and who aren't trying to sell the cue. I think the seller is going to provide a few key points from Deno's provenance that would explain why it is a Rambow, and this should boost his price.

I'm extremely curious - since Deno did his assessment after Hercek's restoration, and the cue points are made of the more common rosewood, there must be something in the craftsmanship that was left untouched by Hercek, which reveals that Rambow made it. Should be interesting to find out what that is.

For what it's worth, Rambow made cues for over 50 years. He made them from every sort of wood available in those days. What wood is in the points is meaningless when trying to figure out if a cue is a Rambow. If you have a Titlist, there is a greater chance it was made by Rambow if it had exotic wood in the points, but those cues are still just Hoppe Titlists in the end. When Rambow was on his own he made points from ebony, oak, rosewood, amaranth, and a number of other woods including very simple and plain woods. What makes Rambow cues so obvious to someone who knows Rambow cues is the taper of the butt and the joint construction as well as some other subtle factors.

The cue in question is without a doubt a Rambow. It had very solid provenance (cue history) that is traceable and credible, with no ownership gaps. The taper and joint construction is consistent with Rambow's work and not consistent with the standards of the Hoppe Titlist by Brunswick. Joel's work on the cue is outstanding and the new owner will read all about it in my report about how much Joel had to go through on this cue to restore its original specs.

Deno

 

[cueball1950]

For what it's worth, Rambow made cues for over 50 years. He made them from every sort of wood available in those days. What wood is in the points is meaningless when trying to figure out if a cue is a Rambow. If you have a Titlist, there is a greater chance it was made by Rambow if it had exotic wood in the points, but those cues are still just Hoppe Titlists in the end. When Rambow was on his own he made points from ebony, oak, rosewood, amaranth, and a number of other woods including very simple and plain woods. What makes Rambow cues so obvious to someone who knows Rambow cues is the taper of the butt and the joint construction as well as some other subtle factors.

The cue in question is without a doubt a Rambow. It had very solid provenance (cue history) that is traceable and credible, with no ownership gaps. The taper and joint construction is consistent with Rambow's work and not consistent with the standards of the Hoppe Titlist by Brunswick. Joel's work on the cue is outstanding and the new owner will read all about it in my report about how much Joel had to go through on this cue to restore its original specs.

Deno

deno....didn't most of his cues also have that white ring near the butt end. i know the 3 i had owned had it................................mike

 

[cueman]

For what it's worth, Rambow made cues for over 50 years. He made them from every sort of wood available in those days. What wood is in the points is meaningless when trying to figure out if a cue is a Rambow. If you have a Titlist, there is a greater chance it was made by Rambow if it had exotic wood in the points, but those cues are still just Hoppe Titlists in the end. When Rambow was on his own he made points from ebony, oak, rosewood, amaranth, and a number of other woods including very simple and plain woods. What makes Rambow cues so obvious to someone who knows Rambow cues is the taper of the butt and the joint construction as well as some other subtle factors.

The cue in question is without a doubt a Rambow. It had very solid provenance (cue history) that is traceable and credible, with no ownership gaps. The taper and joint construction is consistent with Rambow's work and not consistent with the standards of the Hoppe Titlist by Brunswick. Joel's work on the cue is outstanding and the new owner will read all about it in my report about how much Joel had to go through on this cue to restore its original specs.

Deno

Hi Deno,
I have only owned a couple of Rambows so I am not expert. I was told Rambow did not use blanks with the weight number stamped into them. Was that false information I received? Does that cue have the weight number stamped on it?

 

[cueman]

Yes, that makes sense - but what is it about the cue that makes him certain it is a Rambow? A true Rambow would sell for a lot more than $2-4K. The quotes from the documentation make it sound like Deno was certain he was looking at a Rambow restored by Hercek.

Rambows usually bring under $2000 on ebay unless it is something special. More often than not under $1500.

 

[TATE]

Rambows usually bring under $2000 on ebay unless it is something special. More often than not under $1500.

On e-Bay, the seller's are not necessarily presenting the historic cue in the proper manner. The Rambow's I've seen for sale on e-bay in the last year or so (except this one) have been advertised incompetently.

There was a generic Hoppe one with an inscription (just "Made by Rambow") no provenance and very uneven points that went for $2,000 a short while ago, and I even thought that one was poorly advertised.

Then again, I would not be overly interested in this cue for my own reasons, but that doesn't change the fact it's a Rambow and it's been restored and authenticated by pro's. I think it's worth more than the bid so I put in the first one. I am on a roll lately of getting outbid by all my friends so feel free to drill me some more.

But if I do see one properly advertised in original shape with history and an inscription, just stand aside suckers!

Chris

 

[titlistsucker]

.............
I am on a roll lately of getting outbid by all my friends so feel free to drill me some more.

But if I do see one properly advertised in original shape with history and an inscription, just stand aside suckers!

Chris

Oh chris... Dont make me feel Bad..

 

[runscott]

For what it's worth, Rambow made cues for over 50 years. He made them from every sort of wood available in those days. What wood is in the points is meaningless when trying to figure out if a cue is a Rambow. If you have a Titlist, there is a greater chance it was made by Rambow if it had exotic wood in the points, but those cues are still just Hoppe Titlists in the end. When Rambow was on his own he made points from ebony, oak, rosewood, amaranth, and a number of other woods including very simple and plain woods. What makes Rambow cues so obvious to someone who knows Rambow cues is the taper of the butt and the joint construction as well as some other subtle factors.

The cue in question is without a doubt a Rambow. It had very solid provenance (cue history) that is traceable and credible, with no ownership gaps. The taper and joint construction is consistent with Rambow's work and not consistent with the standards of the Hoppe Titlist by Brunswick. Joel's work on the cue is outstanding and the new owner will read all about it in my report about how much Joel had to go through on this cue to restore its original specs.

Deno

Thanks Deno. Late last night, I went back and re-read the Blue Book description for "Rambow", which didn't give any clues but said to contact you with questions regarding Rambow cues. So we've done all we can, and hopefully the seller will be glad that we brought this up.

 

[Jeff]

It can all be so confusing. 98% of the people looking at these cues (Rambos) don't have the knowledge to say these cues being advertised are "true" Rambos or not.

Here are two examples on e-bay right now. The price differences are staggering. Are both of these "true" Rambos?

http://cgi.ebay.com/OLD-RAMBOW-POOL-CUE-brunswick-titlist_W0QQitemZ7202022762QQ

http://cgi.ebay.com/Herman-Rambow-Pool-Billiard-s-Cue-Brunswick-Balke_W0QQitemZ7203293261QQ

 

[bogey54311]

rambow made cues for so many years, and there a so many different examples of them. if you have the 2nd editon of the bluebook, look at the table of cues with busted linen wraps. 26 1/2's, hoppes, titlists, no veneered brunswicks, etc......
they were ALL worked on and customized and made by rambow.
they were not all just the cookie cutter, titlist conversion looking cues.

chris

 

[TATE]

rambow made cues for so many years, and there a so many different examples of them. if you have the 2nd editon of the bluebook, look at the table of cues with busted linen wraps. 26 1/2's, hoppes, titlists, no veneered brunswicks, etc......
they were ALL worked on and customized and made by rambow.
they were not all just the cookie cutter, titlist conversion looking cues.

chris

Chris,

Are you selling the other one with the larger writing on e-bay? I liked it but I didn't like the gamble. Why didn't get it authenticated by Deno?

Chris