????Original Color of Money Joss Cue

[tucson9ball]

Just thought I would kick this to the top. I often wondered what happened to the cue used in the movie, TCOM. This thread answered many questions.

 

[Tom Cruise]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockin' Robin View Post

Just to keep things straight....the cue Forrest Whitaker used was a C-3 model McDermott. Around 80 cues were provided to whoever was in charge of amassing props to do with as they pleased.

Thanks Rockin' Robin

Actually Amos' cue was a McDermott D-9, the same cue as I have used since '89 just the dark brown. I used to think it was a D-2 but one day I saw the lines...

The C-3 has straight lines at the butt, but Amos' had staggered. Its hazy but you can still see the staggered pattern.

[/IMG]

 

[brian v]

Maybe I can help a bit.

As said, your cue is not the real thing, you can see how the real thing looked here:

So where is the original cue?

Well here it is.....
In 2002 the "Jordan River Village" was founded in Israel which is "where seriously ill children can just be kids" this place is part of the HITW that was started by Paul Newman.

To kick start it a public auction took place. Paul Newman donated the original Joss "Balabushka" cue which was signed by him and Tom Cruise and was sold that night for $7000

Never happened ... where is the blue case ?

 

[brian v]

Actually Amos' cue was a McDermott D-9, the same cue as I have used since '89 just the dark brown. I used to think it was a D-2 but one day I saw the lines...

The C-3 has straight lines at the butt, but Amos' had staggered. Its hazy but you can still see the staggered pattern.

[/IMG]

T.Y.V.M.

Ya finally show to add some more thoughts ..

Did I really tell you a story ?
I should try to get them sold now or then !
2 pieces of the collection Jeff accumulated are still out there . The Blue case and the other Joss cue ..................

 

[cubswin]

To answer the question, the j-18, which is more than likely the cue you have isn't super valuable. It would sell for about 450-600 depending on condition. Ivory ferrules add some value, as do two shafts.

The shaft lining up on the logo's probably means it is the original shaft. Generally the original shaft logo's would line up and extra shafts would not.

 

[worktheknight]

Throwback Older Style Color of Money Cue made in 2016

Back in 2016, Dan Janes made a N7 cue for me that was similar to the movie cues to the best of his abilities (and Stephens, his son)
and provided a Certificate of Authenticity describing this cue which went to the purchaser as well.
I am not sure, but, about 10 of these have been made since this first one in 2016.

It would be super cool if Dan Janes came on to AZ Billiards and gave some history. Mr. Janes told me that he knew how many original
movie cues were made and who had them. However, he will not mention who has them as it's possible the owners would be bombarded
with questions.

In the throwback older style cues that the Janes Family has built for me to sell, they all come with sharp points and long butt caps like
the movie cue. I am not sure if the veneers are different or not.

I certainly have appreciated The Janes Family in making these cues and taking the extra time to do Certificates of Authenticity
as these cues are represented truthfully and in no way are presented as the actual Color of Movie Cues as the exact materials are not
available now as back in the filming time.

 

[worktheknight]

Throwback Older Style Wrap Less N7

For sure, these are the first throwback older style COM cues ever made and here's a statement regarding all possible N7's
ever made by Debbie Janes of Joss. Please note that her statement is " I don't believe I've seen a wrapless N7,
so I am saying it's possible this is a first.

**************
I don't believe I've seen a wrapless N7 so this is interesting.
Thank you for the order and I will let you know when we are nearing completion.

Have a good weekend.
Best,
Debbie
Joss
***************

I do know though, this is the first Throwback Older Style N7 made with features like the color of money movie cue that is " Wrap Less "

This came about from a discussion I had with Dan Janes in September 2020 about again how much I have always loved the traditional look
of the N7 and mentioning that I could not shoot with a wrap. His solution, tell me what you want and I'll build it.

Well, I did and yes he did, here are the first two wrap less N7s in the throwback edition and yes, possibly the first wrap less N7's of all time.

The cue that I kept to shoot with is the black handle as the serial number was higher than the brown handled cue,
which of course was sold to the first person I mentioned it to.

The COA's are being created for these two cues.

Just in case your interested, two more wrap less editions are on order, #3 & #4 wrap less may be here by Christmas, By the way, cue shoots
lights out !!, Dan talked me into putting The Ultra Skin Medium Tip on these cues and the one I am shooting with is so fun and effortless to shoot
with, Total Amazing Cue !!!

 

[bobosol]

The one question I've always had about the COM cue is not the value of very similarly-designed Joss cues, but how on earth did someone as knowledgable as Dan Janes design and build such a cue and expect people to believe it was an original Balabushka?

Every time I see that sequence in the movie where the camera lovingly glides along the length of the cue and I see those CNC points and inlays it makes me wince. Why didn't he just cut up a few old Hoppe cues, slap on a handle, a butt cap and X-Acto in a few inlays? It was a prop after all.

For that matter, as there's only one scene where the cue is seen close-up enough to tell what it is, so they could have used a real Balabushka so it would at least look right and the Joss for all the other scenes where he's actually playing/twirling/throwing the cue.

I agree. That scene will always be a disappointment. I'm a big fan of Martin Scorsese. I believe he is a stickler for historical accuracy. The reality is, he hired pool professionals.They dropped the ball.

I'm a bigger fan of George Balabushka. As someone who has a deep respect for Balabushka's craft, and the simplicity and elagance of his inlay designs, I also wince when that scene comes up. Balabushka's legend is given it's due, and then it is immediately undercut with the visual of the cue.

 

[brian v]

To answer the question, the j-18, which is more than likely the cue you have isn't super valuable. It would sell for about 450-600 depending on condition. Ivory ferrules add some value, as do two shafts.

The shaft lining up on the logo's probably means it is the original shaft. Generally the original shaft logo's would line up and extra shafts would not.

Interesting that I may say .

So what would the collection of the 3 JOSS cues and cases from the film production be worth ?

Will we get a cross town world series ever ?

 

[Bavafongoul]

Wow a whole $10K...this always cracks me up. $10K is nothing in the movie business.

Ken

It isn’t the $10,000 value of the cue......it’s that a genuine Balabushka can never be made again if it ever was damaged.

 

[WildWing]

For a kid like I was, it was magical. Hollywood always disappoints the knowledgeable because it is for goofballs that don't know anything. They change every true story into a lie, and this is just further evidence. I'm sorry, it was a disappointment for you. Take solace in that at least it got a kid like me in the game.

Tom Cruise, 14 posts. What are your previous, or other screen names?

 

[Tom Cruise]

its just me, TC

 

[wacokid9ball]

Sounds like i am in a pool hall listening to a couple of level 5 league players talking about something they once heard.

 

[brian v]

Paul Newman's Rolex In 'The Color of Money'

Goodbye Daytona, hello Datejust.

www.hodinkee.com

 

[PickPocket]

Hi

I posted this in an other forum here but didn't get an answer. I am posting it here because this forum gets more views.

Does the Joss Color of Money Cue have any collectors Value and if so what might be the price range??? BTW this has the Gold Joss name on the joint and they still match up.

I know older Joss cues that still play good hold their value. Since I promised this cue to my adult son, I have no desire to sell it. I played with this cue for many years and it is still in great shape.

This thread has Dan J's direct response.

Cues used in "The Color of Money"?

OK, I know the "Balabushka" was actually a Joss. But there were other cues used later by Vincent and Julian at the tournament. When Eddie and Julian are playing each other. They show Eddie break and leave the 1/9 combo in the jaws. Then the...

forums.azbilliards.com

 

[Matt_24]

Paul Newman's Rolex In 'The Color of Money'

Goodbye Daytona, hello Datejust.

www.hodinkee.com

Love this! My first Rolex was inspired by Eddie Felson's. Mine was a 1984 16014 I think...but similar stick dial, although with a WG Fluted Bezel. Great movie. Great cue. Great watch.

 

[HawaiianEye]

Love this! My first Rolex was inspired by Eddie Felson's. Mine was a 1984 16014 I think...but similar stick dial, although with a WG Fluted Bezel. Great movie. Great cue. Great watch.

My watch was inspired by a Japanese pool movie, “The Color Of Noh Money”.

The main player was a Japanese guy named Noh Casio-San.

 

[belvederebill1]

Never happened ... where is the blue case ?

I don't know where the original case is but I can make you one! You can reach me at WAF Custom Cue Cases on Facebook.