Ivory Cue Ball

cuesterpat

cuesterpat

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am thinking about thinning my collection. One of the items I am thinking about selling in an absolutely pristine 2 1/4" ivory cue ball. It has no cracks or chips and has a nice color and checking. It looks like it has never been used. What do you think is a fair price to ask for it based on how rare an ivory cue ball in this condition probably is?
Thanks,
Pat
 
In my experience, somewhere about $100 to $200. In some states it is illegal to sell ivory except in very limited situations.

There have been multiple threads about the legality of selling/buying. Here is one of them:

Legal Ivory States

Does anyone know of a map that shows the current legal status of ivory by state? I am curious how far someone who lived in a state that it cannot be sold or traded, would have to go to get a ferrule replaced or purchase a cue. Thx, Shooter08
forums.azbilliards.com

Or, you could ask a lawyer but that could cost you $300. Sorry, BB.
 
From the dealers I know, $175 is the going rate for non-set singles in perfect condition with nice graining from the finishing process.

I can get salvage balls for $60 a pop right now.
 
I'd be more worried about the legality of selling the ivory. They really buttoned things up the last round. It's almost impossible shipping it over state lines now.
 
Bob Jewett said:
In my experience, somewhere about $100 to $200. In some states it is illegal to sell ivory except in very limited situations.

There have been multiple threads about the legality of selling/buying. Here is one of them:

Legal Ivory States

Does anyone know of a map that shows the current legal status of ivory by state? I am curious how far someone who lived in a state that it cannot be sold or traded, would have to go to get a ferrule replaced or purchase a cue. Thx, Shooter08
forums.azbilliards.com

Or, you could ask a lawyer but that could cost you $300. Sorry, BB.
Click to expand...
$300?!

I want a good lawyer!!
 
Black-Balled said:
$300?!

I want a good lawyer!!
Click to expand...
Oxymoron. My data may be a little out of date, like 20 years old. A brief question about membership voting in a non-profit was half an hour and cost $150. The lawyer provided no useful information. And of course the opinion came with no guarantee of utility or accuracy.
 
yea lawyers charge in general 200 to 400 plus an hour for simple things. better lawyers charge a lot
more of course.

many will give you a quick few minutes consultation of what they can do for you in your case for free, but not much advice.
 
cuesterpat said:
I am thinking about thinning my collection. One of the items I am thinking about selling in an absolutely pristine 2 1/4" ivory cue ball. It has no cracks or chips and has a nice color and checking. It looks like it has never been used. What do you think is a fair price to ask for it based on how rare an ivory cue ball in this condition probably is?
Thanks,
Pat
Click to expand...
Please message me your number, I will reach out to get photos. I sold a new old stock ball for quite a bit

I am also a buyer depending on the condition
 
Bob Jewett said:
Oxymoron. My data may be a little out of date, like 20 years old. A brief question about membership voting in a non-profit was half an hour and cost $150. The lawyer provided no useful information. And of course the opinion came with no guarantee of utility or accuracy.
Click to expand...
As f'd up as all that is...when ya need em, ya need need um.
 
measureman said:
The law firm I use is Layback & Whackit they are very good.
Click to expand...
1723316690596.png
 
jimmyco said:
What does this mean?
Click to expand...
Do you know how an ivory ball was trued up before being sold, or after several years of play?

The machine could leave a very faint pattern on the ball that would disappear after playing with it a while.

you can faintly see it in the pic
ivory-billiard-ball-fs-2.jpg
 
maha said:
yea lawyers charge in general 200 to 400 plus an hour for simple things. better lawyers charge a lot
more of course.

many will give you a quick few minutes consultation of what they can do for you in your case for free, but not much advice.
Click to expand...
Lol, the attorneys in Dallas charge a minimum of $500+/hr and the patent trial attorneys I work with charge $1500+/hr. It's insane what attorneys charge, lol. #notanattorney
 
Benelli said:
Do you know how an ivory ball was trued up before being sold, or after several years of play?

The machine could leave a very faint pattern on the ball that would disappear after playing with it a while.

you can faintly see it in the pic
View attachment 772404
Click to expand...
ivory-billiard-ball-fs-2.jpg


you can cut that ball in half and probably still see those lines.
They have zero to do with how it's machined and finished.
 
If the ivory is over 100 years old, there is really nothing to worry about. It is exempt from selling issues. Most ivory balls are prior to 1924 and relatively easy to claim. As far as value, it looks clean so I think it would be worth a bit more than the norm.
As far as selling the ivory, if it meets all the federal qualifications, there is no issue, interstate. However, if you are in a lockdown state, then your local laws apply buying and selling. The ivory regulations are pretty cut and dry, as long as people stop trying to make them sound like something they aren't.
What would make this ball illegal? Besides the age if not met? The minute you cut this into a ferrule or joint. The Fed law is very clear, no working ivory, at all, period. There is no state law that is above this and no grandfather clause. I have read the dumbest shit imaginable when people talk ivory.

JV
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top