Actually Rambo sold his Titlist design to Brunswick in 1925, worked for them until 1950 when he was forced out. Then he opened a shop at Keefe & Hamer until 1967 when he passed away.
Herman Rambow (not Rambo) started working for Brunswick in 1894, he left in 1921 to start his own business - Superior Cue Company - returned to Brunswick in 1925 and signed his patent rights over to Brunswick at that time.
The patent was for a balancing system not the Titlist which is simply a four prong with four veneer full splice cue, nothing patentable in that design, had been done for many years by many cuemakers.
The person I got these from had them since the 1940's, and Deano Andrews knows him very well. In addition, one of the three Rambo cues I got at the same time was owned by a famous actor that passed away in 1942. His name is on the cue and they were all obtained at the same time.
According to everything I have read, Willie Hoppe specifically asked Rambo not to put any markings on the Hoppe-Rambo's.
Again, Brunswick introduced the Titlist and Hoppe cues in their 1940 catalog (85 years ago was 1924).
I don't about your two other cues, I can only see the one photo in your post, but they certainly could be from the early 1940s. You might compare the joint pins and I would guess they are different than the pictured cue. Brunswick Hoppes had a flat topped pin, Rambow on his own radiused the pin.
Rambow could not use Hoppe's name on his cues because the rights were owned by Brunswick.
I don't claim to be an expert but I do know that these cues are very old and the person I got them from was the president of the 3-cushion association for several years. Again, he told me that he got the cues in the 1940's and I believe him. I actually wish that the cue was made in 1960 after Rambo left Brunswick.
Peace
Ted
I still believe the cue in the posted photo is newer than the 1940s and probably made by Rambow around 1960.
Contact Deno (not Deano) Andrews again and I feel sure he will confirm what I say.
I don't make this post to start a pissing contest or to denigrate your cues or your comments. I do it to educate the cue public that read these posts with correct information.
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