ok az police- gus?

Cuaba said:
I'm convinced those are the original shafts. The ring work at the joint is identical in design and age. That is a rare ring design that would be hard to replace or get mixed up with other shafts.
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Shafts and collars are an interesting point of dicussion, I sold a Gus Cue last year with 4 shafts very very unique maple collar design (I would have sworn that they all Gus shafts and they probably were Gus shafts since I have seen a few), I had the cue and shafts verified by Barry. After he verifing the cue, he looked at the plastic on the collars through a scope (I wasnt there) and said he could verify 2 shafts because the pattern on the plastic on both sides of the joint matched. Now he didnt say the others weren't Gus shafts but he could not verify them.
 
Cuaba said:
I'm convinced those are the original shafts. The ring work at the joint is identical in design and age. That is a rare ring design that would be hard to replace or get mixed up with other shafts.
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You are probably correct, all I said was I had a Gus (75-77) with mis matched shafts. One shaft has maple and lime green stitch (original with cue) and the other has maple and teal stitch (not original but a Gus shaft).
DSCN0163GusSzambotilimeveneercueMed.jpg
 
i havent met a Szam i didnt like. i passed on a 57" once but it still looked great.
 
Cuaba said:
My only concern after studying the pics is the length of the shafts. Every Gus I've ever had has had shafts that are equal in length to the butt. On this cue, the shafts are about 1/2" inch shorter than the butt if you study the pics.

Also, the ferrules are much whiter than the joint. If they are the same age, they should be the same color. If they are not ivory, they are almost certainly not original. If they are ivory, they may have been replaced?
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Cuaba,
Remember that all the ivory in the cue would have been sprayed with finish which in years turns colors... The only ivory that won't have finish on it would be the ferrules, which I'm sure have been sanded through the years.. Even an ivory butt cap is sprayed on a Szamboti.. So difference between ferrules and a joint, or inlay, and butt caps doesn't mean its been replaced..
Ken
highendcues
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HighEndCues said:
Cuaba said:
My only concern after studying the pics is the length of the shafts. Every Gus I've ever had has had shafts that are equal in length to the butt. On this cue, the shafts are about 1/2" inch shorter than the butt if you study the pics.

Also, the ferrules are much whiter than the joint. If they are the same age, they should be the same color. If they are not ivory, they are almost certainly not original. If they are ivory, they may have been replaced?
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Cuaba,
Remember that all the ivory in the cue would have been sprayed with finish which in years turns colors... The only ivory that won't have finish on it would be the ferrules, which I'm sure have been sanded through the years.. Even an ivory butt cap is sprayed on a Szamboti.. So difference between ferrules and a joint, or inlay, and butt caps doesn't mean its been replaced..
Ken
highendcues
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if the ferrels are from a different tusk they can be a different color, sometimes in one tusk depending how close you are to the nerve canal can affect the color/grain of the ivory-its not accurate to assume that the ferrels should match the inlays, however all the inlays in a cue like that should be the same color, but not ferrels.
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Cuaba said:
I'm impressed that this cue actually brought $55.1K on eBay. I assume that the pics sold it, and no bidder actually looked at the cue in person?

As someone who has owned many Gus Szamboti cues, I'd like to make a few comments:

The butt looks totally original, and the design is fantastic. The frosting around the inlays & veneers is typical for Gus's original finish after 20+ years. The "MADE BY GUS SZAMBOTI" inscription is a huge plus, something I've never seen on a Gus box cue. And having the original owner's name on the cue makes it easy to trace in Gus's order book (which Barry has.) I assume the final bidders checked this out?

My only concern after studying the pics is the length of the shafts. Every Gus I've ever had has had shafts that are equal in length to the butt. On this cue, the shafts are about 1/2" inch shorter than the butt if you study the pics.

Also, the ferrules are much whiter than the joint. If they are the same age, they should be the same color. If they are not ivory, they are almost certainly not original. If they are ivory, they may have been replaced?

There is the chance that the shafts were shortened, and the ferrules were replaced. I hope this isn't the case. This could be determined by a personal inspection by Barry. Or the original order book should state the original length of the cue.

I think its a $75K+ cue in a retail environment, totally original, with provenance (more if someone really wants it.) If the shafts have been alterred, its still a good buy at $55K.

Congrats to Will. This is a Gus box cue that will be hard to top. And it will certainly be worth a fortune in the future.
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Thanks for your comments. They are both thoughtful and substantive. I am very pleased with the acquisition, am eager to include it with my collection of box cues, and have no plans to sell it at all.

Will
 
ibuycues said:
Thanks for your comments. They are both thoughtful and substantive. I am very pleased with the acquisition, am eager to include it with my collection of box cues, and have no plans to sell it at all.

Will
Click to expand...

How does one take possession of a $55k cue? Not via USPS or something I'g venture. Do you get in the car and go get it? Hire a personal messanger to go take possession? What are the options for taking possession of an extremely valuable cue?

Thanks, Jim
 
Every cue that I've ever purchased over 20K has been delivered by a Russian girl with big hooters.
 
I've made my living selling items on eBay for about 7 years and in that time have had many exciting and interesting auctions but I think auctioning off this Gus cue was my premier eBay experience. I'm sure I've sold items that have caused a stir in the community that collected that item before, but I've never been able to be privy to that stir during the auction. Watching this thread, and interacting with some of the people in the thread was almost as much fun as watching the bidding. (to be honest watching the bidding was way way really a lot of fun so this thread was actually a pretty distant second, but still fun). Seeing the development, from watching all the doubts about the reality of the auction, the cue, or myself, to the over/under speculation, I spent as much time watching this thread as I did the auction. I would like to thank everyone who posted here, everyone who eMailed me, spoke on the phone with me, or placed bids in the auction, you all added to my enjoyment of this transaction.

I would especially like to thank my top 2 bidders, both of whom I enjoyed speaking with, neither of whom were acquiring this piece for profit, but rather to collect it. It takes 2 to tango and thanks to you both for joining the dance. Everyone in this forum who knows my high bidder speaks respectfully of him and after a week of dealing with him I can see why. I was blessed in this transaction to have a fair-minded, very pleasant and knowledgeable high bidder that was glad to have the opportunity to own the cue and is pleased with his new treasure. What more could one ask for? Thank you Will.

Lastly, I'm cashed-up and as anyone who read my auction already knows, I know nothing about collectible pool cues. That being said, who wants to sell a cue?

Thanks again everybody,

Kevin

kvinbrwr@earthlink.net
 
JimS said:
How does one take possession of a $55k cue? Not via USPS or something I'g venture. Do you get in the car and go get it? Hire a personal messanger to go take possession? What are the options for taking possession of an extremely valuable cue?

Thanks, Jim
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Jim

USPS Priorty Mail Registered Mail Insured for the maximum they will allow is how we sent it. In my experience, USPS Registered Mail is the most secure method available and this shipment went off without a hitch.

Thank you

Kevin
 
How To Deliver An Expensive Cue

JimS said:
How does one take possession of a $55k cue? Not via USPS or something I'g venture. Do you get in the car and go get it? Hire a personal messanger to go take possession? What are the options for taking possession of an extremely valuable cue?

Thanks, Jim
Click to expand...


Hi Jim,

I usually utilize Fedex for my cue delivery when I buy one, but I did it differently in this particular case. In advance I worked with my insurance company that covers my entire collection. I made sure with the underwriter that FULL coverage was on the cue for loss, damage, theft, etc., during delivery. As Kevin said, we then placed maximum coverage available through USPS priority, registered delivery. All went flawlessly.

As a sidenote, I want to commend and recommend Kevin Brewer (seller of the Szamboti) as absolutely stellar throughout this entire transaction. He answered all questions fully, gave a real sense of integrity at all times, and the packaging of the cue and case were remarkable. I could have run over the packaged cue and would only have thrown my vehicle out of alignment, but could not have damaged the cue.

Take care,

Will
 
cueaddicts said:
$52,381........hopefully that will be enough because that's all I the spare change I have in the old little piggy bank.
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Considering how much time was left in the auction when you made your guess, I'd say you came pretty darn close with your estimate.

A Tip of the Hat

Kevin
 
Nice transaction

Kudos to buyer and seller for working all the details out in such a professional manner in which it worked out for both of you. All deal should be this well thought out.

Take care, :)
Jimmy
 
ebony forearm Gus

I just now saw this thread. Very interesting. I used to have a very large Gus collection. (Most of the older collectors could verify this) If my memory serves me properly, Gus only made 5 solid ebony forearms with the box design.

Denny Glenn has the "on the snap" one
Lucky has one
An "Indian" collector (I thought he was from Arizona - not Palm Springs) had one - I have forgotten his name-but this must be his old cue.
And I had 2 of them. I had the propeller one (made for Gus old friend Bill Bailey) and the all ivory (including butt cap) one. I sold them with several very high end Gus. That was in mid 1990's. Mine were both in the Blue Book and Billiard Encyclopedia.

I had 8 ivory jointed (5 flat faced/big bolt). I have pictures and maybe someday I could get someone to post them.

I really enjoy following the values and how they hold up over the years.

Mark Griffin
BCA Pool League
 
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The Beginner said:
what happen to this cue? where is it?
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I would lay odds that it is enjoying life with the rest of ibuycues box (and other) style cues.

Ahhh, to be able to some day drool over them...... :cool:
 
Szam on ebay

I contacted Barry and had him take a look at this auction when it was running. He said everything looked alright,,,except for the brown bumper. No brown bumpers. Says winning bidder was ebay user name "poolcar" ?... from Kansas.
 
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Must have been 6

Mark Griffin said:
I just now saw this thread. Very interesting. I used to have a very large Gus collection. (Most of the older collectors could verify this) If my memory serves me properly, Gus only made 5 solid ebony forearms with the box design.

Denny Glenn has the "on the snap" one
Lucky has one
An "Indian" collector (I thought he was from Arizona - not Palm Springs) had one - I have forgotten his name-but this must be his old cue.
And I had 2 of them. I had the propeller one (made for Gus old friend Bill Bailey) and the all ivory (including butt cap) one. I sold them with several very high end Gus. That was in mid 1990's. Mine were both in the Blue Book and Billiard Encyclopedia.

I had 8 ivory jointed (5 flat faced/big bolt). I have pictures and maybe someday I could get someone to post them.

I really enjoy following the values and how they hold up over the years.

Mark Griffin
BCA Pool League
Click to expand...

Mark

There must have been 6 or you were misinformed about where they went. This cue was made by Gus for either Marshall or Lee Boyar and was sold by Lee in the mid-1980s after Marshall's death. Marshall was a wealthy real estate developer in Los Angeles and Lee was a younger pool player, neither were "Indians".

Kevin
 
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