Original Balabushka from the Late 50's/Early 60's with LOA

[BalabuskaOwner]

Up for sale is an original George Balabushka cue from the late 50's/early 60's and has been recently authenticated by Pete Tascarella. This cue belonged to my father who past away several years ago. The cue has been sitting in my closet since. My father, it turns out, was a bit of a pool shark in his hay day, paying his way through college playing cash games. He eventually hung up his pool stick once he left for graduate school and there it has stayed untouched since. My father told me he actually went to Balabushka’s shop in NY (where my father grew up) and purchased it directly from the Balabushka himself. I have more detailed and close up photos available here:

http://s1180.photobucket.com/user/joshpanzer/library/Original George Balabushka Cue

I'm asking $6,500. Let me know if you have any questions. You can email me directly at joshpanzer@gmail.com

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

First post, think escrow.

 

[ADAM HENSON]

X2 Cowboy...

 

[kvinbrwr]

Man that's an early one. The oldest I can remember seeing. Nice to see a Bushka at a price it can sell near or at.

Kevin

 

[phade]

Hello sir,

I will be willing to help out with doing escrow for the cue. If you have any questions please feel free to shoot me a call. 7189022190

 

[BalabuskaOwner]

The cue has been posted for sale on ebay. You can view it here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/271541884735?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

 

[headmuses]

Awesome historic cue sir, good luck with your sale, if it were mine, I would keep it in the family for sentimental reasons, but someone is going to get a piece of history for a great price.

 

[nick serdula]

Questions

Why is the description incomplete.
No mention of tape above the wrap.
No mention of cracked shafts.
No mention of what is under the tape.
It is hard to believe the tape was not removed when the Cue was inspected.
It could be broken there.
The wrap could be frayed. Omissions not mentioned anywhere that I see.
Can it be explained please?
Thank you,
Nick

 

[james chong]

finish your homework

go back to peter and ask him to quote restoration.
find out if thats a Rambow built Brunswick Titlist with conversion by Balabushka.
no matter what, a complete restoration (if affordable) will be like icing the cake, especially a Tascarella restoration.

 

[Ken_4fun]

go back to peter and ask him to quote restoration.
find out if thats a Rambow built Brunswick Titlist with conversion by Balabushka.
no matter what, a complete restoration (if affordable) will be like icing the cake, especially a Tascarella restoration.

I disagree.

Several reasons;

1. New owner may not want cue refinished. It may limit market.
2. Cue is one of the lowest I have seen lately for a GB cue, and if any money would be added, I assume the price would go up too.

While, I tend to agree that she is a pretty rough and looks like it might have fought off a few Indians, I would not refinish unless I thought I was the final owner.

I wish everyone the best of rolls,

Ken

 

[BalabuskaOwner]

Tape and Crack Answers

All,

Thank you for the great feedback. I don't know why Pete didn't mention the small crack, but it is there and for the sake of disclosure, I have included several pictures of the crack in my auction. Furthermore, some of you asked about the tape. The tape is there to keep the nylon from coming undone. I removed a portion of the tape to check underneath for cracks or any damage and just the nylon is coming undone and it seems my father placed the tape there a long time ago to keep that from happening. Obviously this cue is not in mint condition, but I will do my best in answering any questions about the cue's condition. After doing some research I can say that of all the original Balabushka's I've seen for sale in the last few years, not only is the lowest priced but certainly one of the earliest. I have added a "Best Offer" capability to the ebay auction if you would like to submit an offer.
-Josh