Need Help Identifying Ivory Balls

B

bwk123

Registered
Hi, I'm sorry if I have posted this in the wrong section, I will gladly move it if so. I am writing because I am trying to identify and find some more information out on a set what I believe to be Brunswick Ivory Billiards balls, but I have been unable to find much if any information on them. They were purchased by my grandmother in an estate sale in a lot of various items. Neither of us have any prior expertise in this area. I'm not sure if they are actually for another game or what exactly they were used for. Also, there is a unique color combination that I have not found on other sets I have found on eBay and various other internet sources. There are 3 balls, a white, red, and brown. These balls are in brand new condition, they are beautiful, and I haven't seen another set in such condition. They come in a wooden box. If anyone has information on these balls such as value or just help identify or point me in the right direction I would gladly appreciate it. I will include pictures with the post, thank you very much! Also, feel free to email me at bwk123@aol.com with any info.


 
Try pm'ing a member here mr hoppe

He would prolly be able to help you.
 
bwk123 said:
Hi, I'm sorry if I have posted this in the wrong section, I will gladly move it if so. I am writing because I am trying to identify and find some more information out on a set what I believe to be Brunswick Ivory Billiards balls, but I have been unable to find much if any information on them. They were purchased by my grandmother in an estate sale in a lot of various items. Neither of us have any prior expertise in this area. I'm not sure if they are actually for another game or what exactly they were used for. Also, there is a unique color combination that I have not found on other sets I have found on eBay and various other internet sources. There are 3 balls, a white, red, and brown. These balls are in brand new condition, they are beautiful, and I haven't seen another set in such condition. They come in a wooden box. If anyone has information on these balls such as value or just help identify or point me in the right direction I would gladly appreciate it. I will include pictures with the post, thank you very much! Also, feel free to email me at bwk123@aol.com with any info.


Can you post better photo's, close-up photo's if possible.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
The most common test for Ivory is to stick a hot needle in it. If Ivory, it'll smell like burning hair.

Dunno if the seller would agree to such a test...
 
pwd72s said:
The most common test for Ivory is to stick a hot needle in it. If Ivory, it'll smell like burning hair.

Dunno if the seller would agree to such a test...
Click to expand...

Has anyone ever actually done this to anything ivory that they own?
I have seen this test mentioned more than once and cannot believe anyone
would give the OK to try it.
It was brought up to a well known knife appraiser a while back on
another forum and he advised sticking the hot needle in the persons eye
who brought it up.
 
bwk123 said:
Thanks, I will definitely do that!


Hi, I took some additional photos and posted them in a photobucket, they can all be seen at this link; http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/bwk123/Billiard%20balls/
Click to expand...



Thanks for the Photo's, two of the balls are original to the set, the White Ball and the Red, the Brown Ball is not Ivory it is a Mud or Clay Ball. The White Ball is certainly Ivory, and it is very very high quality, the Red Ball also appears to be high quality Ivory.

High quality Ivory balls were known as matched sets, these sets consisted of three perfectly round balls that were turned from a single Tusk. Years ago when Ivory balls very sold they were sold with the following grading standards.

1. Hard Ivory or Soft Ivory, the hard Ivory Balls were worth more than the soft, the difference between them was what part of Africa they came from North or South.

2. Barky, these balls could be hard or soft Ivory and they came from a part of Tusk that was near the outside portion, they were not center cut or they were cut and turned from a Small Tusk.

3. White, this was the preferred type of Ivory for billiard balls, and it was cut from the center of a Tusk. These balls in Hard or Soft Ivory were more expensive than Barky Billiards Balls.

4. Matched set, these were the most expensive Ivory Billiards Balls you could buy. These balls consisted of three balls that were pure White, exactly the same weight and diameter. They were also cut from a single Tusk, which gave them the same Hit and elasticity.

Whether the balls you have were part of a matched set you will know for certain because you are missing a ball. But the two balls that are Ivory that you photographed, the Red and White are very very High Quality and they are also both Hard Ivory, not Soft.

Hope this helps.
 
manwon said:
Thanks for the Photo's, two of the balls are original to the set, the White Ball and the Red, the Brown Ball is not Ivory it is a Mud or Clay Ball. The White Ball is certainly Ivory, and it is very very high quality, the Red Ball also appears to be high quality Ivory.

High quality Ivory balls were known as matched sets, these sets consisted of three perfectly round balls that were turned from a single Tusk. Years ago when Ivory balls very sold they were sold with the following grading standards.

1. Hard Ivory or Soft Ivory, the hard Ivory Balls were worth more than the soft, the difference between them was what part of Africa they came from North or South.

2. Barky, these balls could be hard or soft Ivory and they came from a part of Tusk that was near the outside portion, they were not center cut or they were cut and turned from a Small Tusk.

3. White, this was the preferred type of Ivory for billiard balls, and it was cut from the center of a Tusk. These balls in Hard or Soft Ivory were more expensive than Barky Billiards Balls.

4. Matched set, these were the most expensive Ivory Billiards Balls you could buy. These balls consisted of three balls that were pure White, exactly the same weight and diameter. They were also cut from a single Tusk, which gave them the same Hit and elasticity.

Whether the balls you have were part of a matched set you will know for certain because you are missing a ball. But the two balls that are Ivory that you photographed, the Red and White are very very High Quality and they are also both Hard Ivory, not Soft.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Wow, awesome. I was afraid the brown ball wasn't a part of the set. Thanks for all the information, I really appreciate it! Do you (or anyone else) have any insight to the value and age of these balls?

Thanks again,
Billy
 
PM sent.

bwk123 said:
Hi, I'm sorry if I have posted this in the wrong section, I will gladly move it if so. I am writing because I am trying to identify and find some more information out on a set what I believe to be Brunswick Ivory Billiards balls, but I have been unable to find much if any information on them. They were purchased by my grandmother in an estate sale in a lot of various items. Neither of us have any prior expertise in this area. I'm not sure if they are actually for another game or what exactly they were used for. Also, there is a unique color combination that I have not found on other sets I have found on eBay and various other internet sources. There are 3 balls, a white, red, and brown. These balls are in brand new condition, they are beautiful, and I haven't seen another set in such condition. They come in a wooden box. If anyone has information on these balls such as value or just help identify or point me in the right direction I would gladly appreciate it. I will include pictures with the post, thank you very much! Also, feel free to email me at bwk123@aol.com with any info.


Click to expand...

PM sent................
 
you wont miss them... check on outer grain pattern (very visible) as compared to modern/aramiths
caromballs003.jpg


caromballs001.jpg
 
linds said:
you wont miss them... check on outer grain pattern (very visible) as compared to modern/aramiths
Click to expand...

That isn't grain you are seeing.

The ivory balls in your pic are what is known as 'barky' and are MUCH
less desirable, and therfore, less valuable than the clear ones.
I assume the discoloration is due to the fact they were made from
pieces near the outside 'skin' of the tusk.

Dale
 
Last edited:
pdcue said:
That isn't grain you are seeing.

The ivory balls in your pic are what is known as 'barky' and are MUCH
less desirable, and therfore, less valuable than the clear ones.
I assume the discoloration is due to the fact they were made from
pieces near the outside 'skin' of the tusk.

Dale
Click to expand...


That is completely correct.
 
bwk123 said:
Whew! That's a lot of dough. I think I'm just gonna try to sell them we acquired them, if I get anywhere near that'd I'd be more than pleased haha!
Click to expand...

I told you I was interested in purchasing them, but never heard back from you. Obviously you don't want to sell them too bad if you didn't get back to me with a price. By the way, I don't play the bidding war game, but would make a fair offer.

Doug
 
DWBOD said:
I told you I was interested in purchasing them, but never heard back from you. Obviously you don't want to sell them too bad if you didn't get back to me with a price. By the way, I don't play the bidding war game, but would make a fair offer.

Doug
Click to expand...
Doug- Sorry I didn't get your email from this morning until now, I'm a full time student and I was at class all day and didn't think to check my email before coming on the forum earlier. I am interested in selling them but only can check my email and forums and such in my free time. PM or email me an offer to consider. And I agree with you on the bidding war thing, no such thing will occur. Thanks and I look forward to your response, sorry if it was delayed. I also sent you this in email if you want to continue a discussion there.
Bill
 
pdcue said:
That isn't grain you are seeing.

The ivory balls in your pic are what is known as 'barky' and are MUCH
less desirable, and therfore, less valuable than the clear ones.
I assume the discoloration is due to the fact they were made from
pieces near the outside 'skin' of the tusk.

Dale
Click to expand...


you are right, thanks for the info... come to think of it, most ivory carom balls here are usually "barky" perhaps due to less waste/cheaper to make than the 1's made from huge tusk even on that era 60's-below. have encountered the smooth/dense 1's but quite rare. dint know that theres such a "term" diffining such from one another till now...(not really an expert on such) just trying to help...
 
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