Joss- 1968-1979- Post your Pictures Please!!!

[WildWing]

Here's a couple I've recently acquired
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Very nice. The Hoppe style on the left, I would place in 1978 or so. The one on the right with dots in the buttsleeve, much earlier, as that was their joint collar pattern in the late 60s to about 1970 or so. Close?

 

[krbsailing]

Very nice. The Hoppe style on the left, I would place in 1978 or so. The one on the right with dots in the buttsleeve, much earlier, as that was their joint collar pattern in the late 60s to about 1970 or so. Close?

Not exactly sure to be honest, guessing early 70's. The Hoppe is a 5/16-18 pin -- it hits really nice

 

[WildWing]

Not exactly sure to be honest, guessing early 70's. The Hoppe is a 5/16-18 pin -- it hits really nice

If it has a 5/16 X 18 pin, that will put it more in the early 70s, you are correct.

 

[Chopdoc]

Both really nice cues. Glad this thread is still going. I just bought a Gandy HC-150 and an 18 pin Joss came up for sale. I can't sneak another one past the wife so soon. I need a surrogate buyer. LOL!

I think when I complete the Gandy catalog, I might sell and just buy Joss. Should have started out that way. It was just easier to find Gandy/National cues for $100 because of no label/name.

Anyway, I will offer this. An ad from 1973.

 

[WildWing]

Both really nice cues. Glad this thread is still going. I just bought a Gandy HC-150 and an 18 pin Joss came up for sale. I can't sneak another one past the wife so soon. I need a surrogate buyer. LOL!

I think when I complete the Gandy catalog, I might sell and just buy Joss. Should have started out that way. It was just easier to find Gandy/National cues for $100 because of no label/name.

Anyway, I will offer this. An ad from 1973.

View attachment 811783

That would be a pretty rare business card. Believe that was their first Baltimore shop before they moved to Mylander Lane. Over time, they had two addresses on Mylander Lane. The date sounds correct, as Bill Stroud would have gone west by then.

 

[Chopdoc]

That would be a pretty rare business card. Believe that was their first Baltimore shop before they moved to Mylander Lane. Over time, they had two addresses on Mylander Lane. The date sounds correct, as Bill Stroud would have gone west by then.

Well, it's an ad clipping from the 1973 National Billiard News, not his actual business card, so it's definitely the correct date.

 

[WildWing]

Well, it's an ad clipping from the 1973 National Billiard News, not his actual business card, so it's definitely the correct date.

That's a nostalgic pool year for me. Freshman Fall year of college, and my roommate was into pool. So, I started playing too. First cue bought was a Palmer that Christmas, and then a Joss in 1976. Something like 20 cues later, one thing is obvious. I acquire more than I get rid of.

 

[bbb]

my friend who I play 3-6 days a week has been using the same Joss he bought brand new in 74 for $240?.


The butt cap isnt origonal or the shafts, but the finish is and the wrap are origonal,



he has won and lost countless $$$ over the years with that cue-he only took maybe 6 months off pool the whole time, he is giving that cue a voice soon with a new book thats gonna be released very soon. I will release more information on the book soon, we got pushed back on press time for 2-3 weeks or we would be ready now. GRRRR. I say we, but Its not me, He is just a close friend-I didnt have anything to do with writing the book. Its gonna be a dandy though. Please if you know who I'm talking about-Lets keep it private so when presss time comes he can have his moment, ok? thanks.

Fatboy

did that book ever get published?
if so whats the title and author

 

[Fatboy]

did that book ever get published?
if so whats the title and author

Amazon.com

I took a pic of his cue. It’s in the book

 

[bbb]

Amazon.com

I took a pic of his cue. It’s in the book

Great book
I bought it a while ago and enjoyed the read
I have heard Cotton do commentary and it was very educational and he had a ton of road stories

 

[Fatboy]

Great book
I bought it a while ago and enjoyed the read
Ihave heard Cotton do commentary and it was very educational and he had a ton of road stories

Cotton is great!

I played him more hours than anyone else in my life. He said the same of me. 10/6 was how we played, he had a hair the best of it.

We also played a lot of 9B banks, I always played even but I had the worst of it. I learned how to play banks from him. Wow.

He’s going good we had lunch in December. I’m gonna go see him in a couple weeks next time I’m in Vegas.

Too bad he didn’t write another book, he has enough for a series of books. He a hell of a guy and player. One of my best friends ever.

Best
Fatboy

 

[pt109]

Amazon.com

I took a pic of his cue. It’s in the book

Got the book

 

[kingwang]

Just picked up this block letter joss with a 5/16x18 pin. Someone installed a leather wrap, but they did an absolutely incredible job and it took me a minute to find the seam.

I'm surprised at how uneven the points are. Is that common for this era?

Also, the maple color is a beautiful dark golden hue. Did they use stained maple at the time or is this color just from the age? I've never seen a block letter Joss with stained wood.

 

[Chopdoc]

Saw that for sale and considered buying it myself. I doubt there is stain, that's just age. Early Joss point were commonly uneven AFAIK.

Cool cue.

 

[Chopdoc]

Just picked up this block letter joss with a 5/16x18 pin. Someone installed a leather wrap, but they did an absolutely incredible job and it took me a minute to find the seam.

I'm surprised at how uneven the points are. Is that common for this era?

Also, the maple color is a beautiful dark golden hue. Did they use stained maple at the time or is this color just from the age? I've never seen a block letter Joss with stained wood.

I am surprised there are no more comments or questions on this cue. As I said I considered picking this one up. It's a bit of a gem as an 18 pin Cue.

Seller said there were condition issues. What are your findings?

Personally I would love to know what Dan Janes says about it.

I would personally look to have a second shaft made by Joss with their "reserve" wood, or maybe look for an original with matching rings. I always feel such a cue should have two proper shafts.

The leather wrap? Tough to "undo". I would leave it as part of the history of the cue rather than try to source Courtland for it.

That's just me.

 

[WildWing]

I am surprised there are no more comments or questions on this cue. As I said I considered picking this one up. It's a bit of a gem as an 18 pin Cue.

Seller said there were condition issues. What are your findings?

Personally I would love to know what Dan Janes says about it.

I would personally look to have a second shaft made by Joss with their "reserve" wood, or maybe look for an original with matching rings. I always feel such a cue should have two proper shafts.

The leather wrap? Tough to "undo". I would leave it as part of the history of the cue rather than try to source Courtland for it.

That's just me.

Dan Janes has been dead for a while. Believe his son Steve is still running things.

 

[Chopdoc]

Dan Janes has been dead for a while. Believe his son Steve is still running things.

Oops. Yes I meant his son. I'm just so used to typing Dan. It's been a couple years since he passed.

 

[kingwang]

I am surprised there are no more comments or questions on this cue. As I said I considered picking this one up. It's a bit of a gem as an 18 pin Cue.

Seller said there were condition issues. What are your findings?

Personally I would love to know what Dan Janes says about it.

I would personally look to have a second shaft made by Joss with their "reserve" wood, or maybe look for an original with matching rings. I always feel such a cue should have two proper shafts.

The leather wrap? Tough to "undo". I would leave it as part of the history of the cue rather than try to source Courtland for it.

That's just me.

It's in better condition than I expected. The shaft has an ivory ferrule and is less warped than expected, but still unplayable as described. The butt has a tiny roll in forearm that doesn't affect play. Other than four tiny dings (1mm or less) that go through the finish, the rest of the cue is in good condition. And finally, I'm very happy with the quality of the leather wrap. Overall not bad for a cue that's 53+ years old.

 

[WildWing]

Oops. Yes I meant his son. I'm just so used to typing Dan. It's been a couple years since he passed.

Ond of the great pioneers of cue making.

 

[PickPocket]

Ok after looking at all of these cues (beautiful by the way) I need to ask the following question:

I know the owner of (2) Block Letter Joss Cues.

(1) has the 3/8-10pin. Veneered points/No Inlay.
Both are in pretty rough shape guessing all original condition.

Would there be any reasons to NOT have them Refinished?!