Joss cue identification
Hi Bob,
This looks like an older Joss cue probably from the mid to late 1970's. The inlayed maple squares in the joint rings tend to date it from this period. I had a Joss cue custon made in 1978 by Danny Janes (owner and founder of Joss cues) when I was in school in Baltimore and I have the same joint ring inlay in my cue. Mine also has four points with various colors inlayed. The Joss logo differs from mine though. Yours in more "rounded" and placed in a white butt ring with black letters. I have seen other Joss cues from this period like this though. Mine is more "oriental" looking with disconnected lines forming the letters and is stamped on the white delriin butt cap. By the way, Danny told me at the time he was making my cue, that he changed the joint inlay to small squares because his competition was copying the same joint inlay style. I have to assume he meant Bill Stroud because some of his cues from this period have the same joint ring inlay. If you ever get a chance to look at an older Joss cue from the late 60's to early to mid 70's you'll see that the joint ring inlay is more elongated and a little more complicated. Danny has seen my cue recently and it is still in excellent condition with the original two perfectly straight shafts with ivory ferrules. He valued it at between $800.00 to $1200.00. By the way, my cue, totally custom made with my weight, balance and point inlay colors with two shafts with ivory ferrules cost $170.00 in 1978. I also bought a leather Fellini case from Danny when I picked up the cue for an additional $50.00.
Hope this helps you out.
John
