Pool Ball Collecting.

[Geosnooker]

I don’t collect new sets. Nothing wrong with them but not just my thing . I go to the thrift stores and look more for vintage balls or unique balls from other billiard games. If there is a new or nearly new set or amariths for $20 or so, I’ll nab them but no interest in logos, newershiny sets in boxes, etc.


Re quality. A fun thing is taking balls into our research lab and measuring them....symmetry, density, weight.. Balls today, are not just more consistent in all three but ‘way’ more consistent. To within almost a thousandth of a cm as opposed to a hundredth of a cm of any set older than 35 years. Likely due to computerized machine tooling. Weights similar...balls very consistent today. It would be interesting to hear from members here w ho understand today’s machining..at age 15 I worked in a brass fittings factory (literally 51 years ago) and everything was done manually with callipers..

I have a couple of older sets ( sort of a Bakelite?)from The 1930s and they were likely thought to be ‘good enough’...gives me new admiration for those guys back then. They must have learned not just to read the cloth but got to know individual balls on the table.

Balls wear but even with older balls that were not used there is inconsistency in a set that isn’t found today.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Good evening, Mr K.

I admire the enterprise of those fellows with the Dirty Pool concept, dear chap. Presumably, they have purchased inexpensive sets and harvested the balls required for their own particular game inventions. It’s a clever way to create a custom ball set(s) at a relatively low initial outlay and I hope they’re successful in such an endeavour.

Many thanks for sharing, sir.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Aramith Poker v2. Insert Card 18.

Hello, ladies and gentlemen.

Here is a screenshot of the latest insert card, part of an ongoing project to record the historical provenance of my treasured billiard ball collection. If anyone is interested to learn a little more about the camera technique employed to counter lens distortion, or how I drew the computer generated image at the base of the card, please refer back to the original post (number 1133).

Best wishes,

RC.

 

[ChuckJones1987]

:wink:

Roulette Pool.

Roulette Pool looks Brilliant. What else can I say? Truly a work of art. I could Imagine these babies catching eyes displayed alongside the Aramith Casino and Poker sets, maybe even those weird Dice balls that were featured on this thread some pages back.

That cue ball. Genius. It looks like it could even double as a training ball.

I would love to invest if and when you are ready to enter into the production stage. Good luck!

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Hey, Chuck.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate somebody taking the time to read through my article and then offer such generous words of support, dear fellow. I am sincerely grateful. If the custom Roulette Pool balls ever near production, sir, I will ensure that you are kept fully informed from an early stage.

Thank you so much once again and best wishes.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

We’ve broken through the 200,000 views barrier.

I didn’t envisage that when starting the thread. Thank you, everyone, for all the wonderful contributions.

 

[ChuckJones1987]

Thanks to a tip from a friend, I was able to add this set of eye-popping numberless colors to my collection.

Is anyone familiar with this particular set? I'm looking for any info. Thanks!

Shipped to the original owner, along with a dozen other sets, in a Hyatt Ball Co. labeled crate. The box I received features no branding or other markings.

 

[K2Kraze]

I was wondering who would snag that off-beat set - kudos, Chuck!

Any details you can share by way of weight and diameter on each ball? How about the box and anything you can glean from it or the inside edges? I’ve got a hunch is all, but will wait for intel

 

[K2Kraze]

We’ve broken through the 200,000 views barrier.

I didn’t envisage that when starting the thread. Thank you, everyone, for all the wonderful contributions.

200k and going strong, RC! New faces and new sets being shared.

We have pallets and racks of ball sets and goodies to share for the PBC thread in the year ahead, but before we do that, I need to extend another

for getting this thread off the ground from your treasure hideout, sir! It’s been a fabulous adventure balling about per se hunting like pirates for phenolic hideaways the last few years.....and with the sloop restocked and stores aboard, it’s time we set sail for other shores to trade golden coins for golden balls.

~ K.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Good morning, Chuck.

I’ve never seen that particular set before, sir. I love them! Perhaps they are a salesman’s sample set to exhibit all the possible colours available? I’m certainly intrigued to learn what else was in the crate?

Good morning, Mr K.

Sincere thanks for those kind words, dear fellow. Nobody has contributed more to this thread than your good self, my friend. Your superb photographs and wonderful articles are always deeply appreciated.

Had you seen Chuck’s beautiful set advertised previously somewhere else, sir?

 

[Meucciplayer]

I congratulate mostly you 2, K2Kraze and Rubik's for this thread. Not only have the displayed ball sets attracted a very special section of the forum members but also your great guidance in keeping this thread so different from many other lengthy threads in this forum. I am glad that this thread is an island of friendliness and lack of insults which is also one of the main reasons I still read it after such a long time. So, the 200k views are mostly a result of the main contributors. Congrats!

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Good morning, Mr M.

Thank you so much, dear fellow. Another thing that has been wonderful about this thread is the generous support of like-minded souls from around the world. Without the amazing help from folks like you, sir, my own treasured collection would be all the poorer. I remain sincerely grateful.

 

[K2Kraze]

I congratulate mostly you 2, K2Kraze and Rubik's for this thread. Not only have the displayed ball sets attracted a very special section of the forum members but also your great guidance in keeping this thread so different from many other lengthy threads in this forum. I am glad that this thread is an island of friendliness and lack of insults which is also one of the main reasons I still read it after such a long time. So, the 200k views are mostly a result of the main contributors. Congrats!

Hello, Meucciplayer -

I share the kind words and affirmations offered by my dear friend from afar, the estimable Mr Rubik’s Cube, and how this Pool Ball Collector thread has brought together a unique group of folks - and managed to do so with nothing but old fashioned kindness and respect.

Reflecting back on the days when RC began the thread and our friendship flourished over a long-lost 16 ball, it became apparent that our shared passions around pool balls could indeed be a haven for other fellows - which naturally evolved as meeting place for friends and fanatics. We’ve held steadfast to the notion that we shall allow no borders or boundaries around the world to keep us from helping everyone in whatever way we can to enjoy what we think is the reason we all play. The balls

And this is what started it:

Which quickly found its way across the Atlantic to the doorstep of RC. Speaking of which....

As I jet across the globe today gazing out at the glassy Atlantic 9 miles below and ponder the myriad changes and challenges we all face, I’m comforted by the fact that I will remain indefatigable in this shared, honored pursuit with my good friend, RC, to keep doing what we set out to do: share the spirit and passion of the gentleman’s game - billiards. And balls.

Thank you again, sir, for the kind words. Made my day!

~ K.

 

[ChuckJones1987]

The new EBSA Snooker Coacing Balls. Cool enough for any collection, I say.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

They are indeed, Chuck. Another great spot, sir!

 

[ChuckJones1987]

And for those extreme collectors that absolutely must have all things Aramith. Here is the 68mm New Carolina Billiard ball set, released a few years ago in Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States.

Everything that's included in the box is pictured above.
Those pinks remind me of both ends of a pig.
3 modes of play for the games "7-Pins", "Big Pyramid", and "Carolina"

The set-up for the High scoring game of Big Pyramid.

Points are scored by pocketing balls.
Black = 60 points
Pinks = 30 points
Reds = 20 points
1 ball = 11 points
2 through 15 are worth the amount printed on the ball,
And the last numbered ball on the table gets an extra 10 points added to it's value.

300 points on the table. First to 151 wins!

Call pocket! Respot your lowest value ball if you foul!

I'd love to recreate this game if I can get my hands on a set of 2.25" pyramid balls.

I have high quality scans of the Instructional Booklet included with this set as well as the translations available for anyone who may be interested in having a copy for themselves.

Oink oink!

 

[K2Kraze]

Chuck - what a great find, sir!

Here is the Vigma Russian set I have in the 57.2mm/2.25” balls

We can easily recreate this game with 2.25 balls

~ K.

 

[mrpoopytime]

Thank you K2Kraze and Rubik's Cube for the wealth of information and beautiful photos here! You guys have gotten me into ball collecting and to finally create an account here!

Of course my wife may not be too happy as I've recently spent a bunch on setting up my pool room and getting into collecting chalk!

I've recently acquired this set of balls but don't know too much about them. I see someone on ebay has attributed them to Hyatt and I was curious to see if anyone here knew anything. Thanks!

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Good evening, Mr P.

Thank you so much for the kind words, sir. I can’t tell you just how pleased I am that this thread has brought you to the AZB forum, dear chap. It really does make all the time spent sharing our stories and posting up the pictures worthwhile.

That beautiful set you have purchased has stirred up quite a lot of interest amongst collectors recently. Chuck, K2Kraze, Bfriesth and myself have all also snapped up examples in the last few days. At present, we know next to nothing about this mysterious set, Mr P. I have sent an enquiring letter to the original recipient on the label - The Virginian Pilot newspaper - in the hope they might be able to shed some light on the balls’ provenance.

Best wishes, sir. And welcome to our little club.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Norwegian Balls.

Good evening, everyone.

Here's a little custom design for your perusal, ladies and gentlemen.