Old Cue ID - HELP!

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bpp&d

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I'm hoping to get some help identifying this cue. I odered it new in either '64 or '65 from Harrison Cue Time in NJ. I explained that I wanted something simple - no plastic windows, no fancy ring work, etc.
I always assumed it was a Palmer (somebody said it looked like the model 4 from their first catalog), and even bought a case at Palmer's store in Elizabeth in '70.
A few years ago, Bill Haley at Comet Billiards in Parsippany, NJ said he thought it was a Paradise and another guy there thought it was an Adam.

Anyway here's some pics of my cue and one of a Paradise on the This is Ames website. Damn, now I'm really confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Harry
 

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A Few More Pictures

It's tough getting old! I couldn't remember where I saved these two - just hope I don't need my car keys any time soon - lol.
Here are two more pics of my cue.
Harry
 

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Might be a Rambow, but since you bought it from a dealer, maybe not. It might be an old Palmer but I wouldn't bet on it.
 
thanks

Thanks for your input, Pushout. I figured it was a Palmer because that's the main brand the pool hall was selling.
Anyone else have any ideas?
I remember in an earlier thread, Tate said there was a difference in the threads for the ferrule between a Palmer and Paradise. Could there be a clue there?
Thanks for any help,
Harry
 
When I saw it, I thought Rambow...

Pushout said:
Might be a Rambow, but since you bought it from a dealer, maybe not. It might be an old Palmer but I wouldn't bet on it.
Click to expand...

Yeah Pushout, the first thing I thought when I saw it was Rambow....

Jaden
 
Harry,

I received your e-mail request. I do think it's a Palmer - an early one that was made in the Rambow style - as a forerunner to the Model C from the 2nd catalog.

Palmer often got requests for simple cues that were "like Rambow's" so they made some Rambow style cues. A few other cue maker's used screw on ferrules, but by far the majority were Palmer and Paradise. I've not seen a Rambow with a screw-on ferrule.

Anyway, I'm hoping to get more information on this from other sources too.

Chris
 
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OUSooner said:
Its made from a Titlist blank. Did Palmer make cues out of Titlists?
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Yes, they made many thousands from Titlist's. Many of the early ones were actually older cues purchased from pool rooms for $1 each on the east coast and converted. Titlists were actually upscale house cues too way back when.

Later on, when they became a billiards powerhouse, they were able to buy blanks from Brunswick directly.

Chris
 
The 'group' photo looks like the work of the guy that does pics. for Dick Abbott. What gives with that ?
 
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Cue ID

Steve, that "group photo" isn't mine. It's off the This is Ames Mister web site & depicts a Paradise cue. The only reason I included it was that Bill Haley had a strong opinion that my cue is a Paradise and they do look a lot alike. On the other hand, it looks a bit like one of Palmer's model 4's from their first catalog.
It doesn't show well in the photos, but it's a hex nut at the butt end. The few Rambows I've seen have had a slotted nut.

Chris, thanks for your help. Looking forward to further clarification.

Regards,
Harry
 
bpp&d said:
Steve, that "group photo" isn't mine. It's off the This is Ames Mister web site & depicts a Paradise cue. The only reason I included it was that Bill Haley had a strong opinion that my cue is a Paradise and they do look a lot alike. On the other hand, it looks a bit like one of Palmer's model 4's from their first catalog.
It doesn't show well in the photos, but it's a hex nut at the butt end. The few Rambows I've seen have had a slotted nut.

Chris, thanks for your help. Looking forward to further clarification.

Regards,
Harry
Click to expand...

It was confirmed by Peter Balner this is a very early Palmer, before there were any catalogs, probably about 1964 or so. This was made from a Titlist house cue conversion. They are often mistaken for Paradise cues.

Chris
 
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Thanks

Hi Chris, thanks for all your research on this (and please pass my thanks along to Mr. Balner):thumbup:. You're a real asset to the forum.
I was pretty sure it's a Palmer, but Bill's opinion threw me off a bit.
I'll email you with a few other questions.
Best Regards,
Harry
 
You're right, this forum is awesome! You can come here with any, and I do mean any, billiard related question and you will eventually get the correct answer. Nicely done guys.
 
steveinflorida said:
The 'group' photo looks like the work of the guy that does pics. for Dick Abbott. What gives with that ?
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The 'group' photo is one of my photos of a Frank Paradise cue from 10 or 12 years ago.

FYI - there is no 'guy' that does photos for Dick Abbott. I do and have been doing all of my cue photos for 15 years.
 
EXCUUUUUUSE me !

Sorry about that Dick. I honestly thought you had a photographer do you pics. Guess that speaks well of your work.
 
steveinflorida said:
EXCUUUUUUSE me !

Sorry about that Dick. I honestly thought you had a photographer do you pics. Guess that speaks well of your work.
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Hi Steve - how have you been?

Not only do I photograph cues for myself, I also photograph for cuemakers and collectors.

Visit my website Cuepics.com to see the photographic services that I offer.
 
billiardcue said:
The 'group' photo is one of my photos of a Frank Paradise cue from 10 or 12 years ago.

FYI - there is no 'guy' that does photos for Dick Abbott. I do and have been doing all of my cue photos for 15 years.
Click to expand...


Dick,

Your photos are amazing - best cue photos I've ever seen. Someday you should tell us what setup you use for lighting etc.

Chris
 
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