Question about George Balabushka

alstl

alstl

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I know most of his cues sold for less than $200 dollars when he was alive. Before he died had his cues increased in value to the point where he was charging more?

I'm wondering if he ever had any idea his work would someday become so valuable. I know Van Gogh died with no idea his paintings would someday be so valuable.
 
alstl said:
I know most of his cues sold for less than $200 dollars when he was alive. Before he died had his cues increased in value to the point where he was charging more?

I'm wondering if he ever had any idea his work would someday become so valuable. I know Van Gogh died with no idea his paintings would someday be so valuable.
Click to expand...

IMHO George was just making what he thought were the best custom pool cues to play pool with. Mostly for players, and at that time, these were high dollar items. In 1968 min wage was 1.60 an hour a slightly fancy Bushka was about 100x that amount. I think compared to today at 8.00 an hour, a custom cue is slightly more expensive today for a good playing cue. At the time, they were arguably the best playing cues.

In his last year, I think AZ'er Paul Schofield knows what his cue cost, and that might be a fancy cue for back then. So that is a good bench mark for his 1975 prices.

Bushkas and Botis are like the 1971 Hemi Cudas, Gull wing Mercedes, and Warhols of their time and genre.

JV
 
alstl said:
I know most of his cues sold for less than $200 dollars when he was alive. Before he died had his cues increased in value to the point where he was charging more?

I'm wondering if he ever had any idea his work would someday become so valuable. I know Van Gogh died with no idea his paintings would someday be so valuable.
Click to expand...
I honestly dont think he had any idea that his cues was going to sky rocket like they have. I dont believe any makers from that generation did. He knew he built a good product and asked for top dollar at that time. I am sure that he is probably rolling over going Damn!!!!
 
I bought what is likely one of George's last cues. I bought it from him in Oct.1975, just two months before he passed away. The cue was $200, and came with 2 shafts and one of the square Brunswick leather cases. I played with it for 17 years, before selling it to the founder of Atlas Billiards Supply for $4K. They still have the cue.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

alstl said:
I know most of his cues sold for less than $200 dollars when he was alive. Before he died had his cues increased in value to the point where he was charging more?

I'm wondering if he ever had any idea his work would someday become so valuable. I know Van Gogh died with no idea his paintings would someday be so valuable.
Click to expand...
 
I know very little about George but i do know a little about Gus.
Gus used to come to the room i hung out in because he was very good friends with the owner.
One night he showed up (just shortly before he passed)with a brand new basic cue. which was 59" 2 shafts with ivory ferules and handed it to Neptune Joe frady for the sum of $425.00! Tony the owner of the room had been telling Gus to at least double the price of his cues but Gus would not do it.
And this is the truth the minute Gus left the room Joe could have sold that cue for double what he paid for it. And there may have been a bidding war.At that time the wait for a basic Gus was about a year and a half.
So now fast forward some 28 years and that cue brings $8k ?
 
Scott Lee said:
I bought what is likely one of George's last cues. I bought it from him in Oct.1975, just two months before he passed away. The cue was $200, and came with 2 shafts and one of the square Brunswick leather cases. I played with it for 17 years, before selling it to the founder of Atlas Billiards Supply for $4K. They still have the cue.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Aloha Scott,

May I ask what type of cue you play with now and what specs? As much as you play, I'm sure your playing cue fits your style of play.
 
Aloha! Actually over the years, I have played with MANY dozens of cues...all different kinds of joints, shaft sizes, cue weights, etc. Recently (3 yrs ago) I have joined the LD set, and use both a Tiger X Pro and McDermott G-Core aftermarket shafts...both 11.75mm...one with a Moori tip, and the other with a LePro. My current players are both Samsaras...both 18 oz, with pro tapers and linen wraps. I have been playing with big radial pins for almost 15 years now, but I really like the G-10 pin. I have Kent Davis making me a cue right now with that pin. :D

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

HawaiianEye said:
Aloha Scott,

May I ask what type of cue you play with now and what specs? As much as you play, I'm sure your playing cue fits your style of play.
Click to expand...
 
Well I have played with a Balabushka and what I think was common at the time, the handle of the cue was freaking big.

The shafts were great, and the hit was very nice, but the overall diameter was so big it felt like a club.

The cue was sold for $25K, and was featured in Pool and Billiard Digest.

Ken
 
alstl said:
I know most of his cues sold for less than $200 dollars when he was alive. Before he died had his cues increased in value to the point where he was charging more?

I'm wondering if he ever had any idea his work would someday become so valuable. I know Van Gogh died with no idea his paintings would someday be so valuable.
Click to expand...

I ordered a cue from him around 1973. It was just the classic 4 point with colored veneers and the rings at the joint. It was $120.00 with 2 shafts. I own a couple now I have had for over 30 years I bought them second hand.
 
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Hey

classiccues said:
IMHO George was just making what he thought were the best custom pool cues to play pool with. Mostly for players, and at that time, these were high dollar items. In 1968 min wage was 1.60 an hour a slightly fancy Bushka was about 100x that amount. I think compared to today at 8.00 an hour, a custom cue is slightly more expensive today for a good playing cue. At the time, they were arguably the best playing cues.

In his last year, I think AZ'er Paul Schofield knows what his cue cost, and that might be a fancy cue for back then. So that is a good bench mark for his 1975 prices.

Bushkas and Botis are like the 1971 Hemi Cudas, Gull wing Mercedes, and Warhols of their time and genre.

JV
Click to expand...



Joe, in 1974 mizerak offered me his Bushka for $100.....of course I said NO. Lol

And I think you meant the 1970 hemi cuda, which I had one of...way way back then.


.
 
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