The History of Cue Cases?

[runscott]

The standard advice would be to use a suede brush and suede cleaner.

But I hacked it with stuff I already had on hand..

You can dampen with water. You can dampen with vinegar. There are other solvents obviously.

I used vinegar. I also didn't use an actual suede brush. I used vinegar and three brushes.

Brush 1, for the toughest matting was a brass bristle brush like this:

Brush 2, a slightly stiff plastic bristle fingernail brush like this:

Brush 3, a similar fingernail brush with softer bristles for the finish.

Finish brushing in one direction only to get the appearance as consistent as possible with the nap all laying in the same direction.

Mine had sever matting on the ends and very black stains along one side. All of it came out. You mentioned "dents". There were some actual small dents like where the case might have been banged up against the sharp edge of a counter or something. Even those came out completely. Case looks darn good IMHO.

I have not seen your case but I bet you can make it look great. The evidence is how severe my case was and how nice it came out.
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Thanks, I have similar brushes on hand as I also do vintage felt hat repair. I'll give it a shot if it doesn't sell soon.

 

[Chopdoc]

Thanks, I have similar brushes on hand as I also do vintage felt hat repair. I'll give it a shot if it doesn't sell soon.

Oh, that's right. I did see the case.

Didn't even think of it.

That case looks in nice shape. You might even just try a dry brush first. A few minutes with a dry brush would probably go a long way on that case.

I am definitely keeping mine in a cloth sleeve. I got a few from JB, but now my wife makes them for my cases. I am not a suede fan but I do want to keep this one looking nice and I am not planning to sell.
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[runscott]

Oh, that's right. I did see the case.

Didn't even think of it.

That case looks in nice shape. You might even just try a dry brush first. A few minutes with a dry brush would probably go a long way on that case.

I am definitely keeping mine in a cloth sleeve. I got a few from JB, but now my wife makes them for my cases. I am not a suede fan but I do want to keep this one looking nice and I am not planning to sell.
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I am not a suede fan either. The only reason I've kept this one as long as I have is that Centennials have extra length so it fits my 'pin-in-shaft' shafts.

 

[Chopdoc]

Well, I almost went for a couple of your cases, but I have money tied up in other deals at the moment.

The Gore case is a treasure.

I like the Centennial, but not a suede fan.

The Aussie case first caught my eye as we discussed, for the same reason you like it.

Somebody really should snag that Centennial.

https://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=479996

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[runscott]

Well, I almost went for a couple of your cases, but I have money tied up in other deals at the moment.

The Gore case is a treasure.

I like the Centennial, but not a suede fan.

The Aussie case first caught my eye as we discussed, for the same reason you like it.

Somebody really should snag that Centennial.

https://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=479996

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Someone mentioned earlier that Ann Gore cases will actually hold a 3rd shaft, while most of the other Fellini-type 1x2 cases will not. I will add that the Centennial will hold extra-long butts and shafts whereas my Fellinis, Anne Gore and George cases would not. If you look in the end-caps in these, quite a bit of room has been filled. I'm sure a little could be removed to fit longer cues - perhaps someone modified the Centennial?

 

[s2kspider]

Old thread, but here is another example of the “Schon” case with push button closure.

 

[gambler67]

I did mention Centennial but only in reference to what most people know as the "Fellini" style.

Centennial did in fact make a major improvement over the Fellini as far as the function went and that is the O-ring. With the O-ring the case sealed better and the lid fit tighter.

To date the only maker who has copied the O-ring has been Sam Engles. I believe that he did a double O-ring. Not sure if it really helped any more though. And Ron Thomas does a sort of button that is not really intended to seal the case but does have similar functionality in keeping the cap secured.

Centennial also introduced the treated wood endcaps. I personally prefer the folded endcaps as Harvey Martin, Gina, Fellini and now GTF does them because it give the case sort of an endless feel to them.

I have to say though that capping the ends with wood, plastic or again now as GTF does them, with leather, offers quite a bit of flexibility in design to make complimentary or contrasting elements.

Also Centennial might have been the first to introduce the 2x4 cases. I can't find any information on this for a timeline but I have a feeling that they did introduce them before it's George. AND furthermore they were definitely one of the first if not the first to offer cases with a big pouch on them. (which I neglected to mention in my What's in the Case blog segment recently, www.jbcases.com/caseblog )

So the Centennial is definitely iconic and it's George and Ron Thomas can thank Centennial for the influence on their own products.

which case maker had the 2 birds facing each other?

 

[galipeau]

I love my viking 1x1 with ultra pad interior

 

[Chopdoc]

Old thread, but here is another example of the “Schon” case with push button closure.

I have been away from the forum for a few years, now catching up on things.

Very cool to see another case with the button. Is there some kind of engraving or tooling on the front of that case?

I might have a line on another one, we will see how that turns out. I still have the suede one.

Wondering if anybody has more ideas or knowledge on who made these cases. I remember that Schön was floated as an idea. I would love to get an ID nailed down on these cases!

And of course...BUMP for a great thread!

 

[Chopdoc]

This one will arrive soon. I will get better pics when I have it in hand.

 

[Chopdoc]

OK, so I now have two of these cases. The suede one and the brown leather one. It took UPS forever to deliver it, I was afraid it was lost.

Still nobody knows who made them? I want to know!

I was able to see under the liner a little on the suede one before I glued it down, it was coming loose. I can find no other similar latch ever on the market or on any other item, so I do think it is a custom adaptation, and I think I know what it was made from. I went through tons of old hardware and latch catalogs and looked at hundreds if not thousands of pictures of items with button latches. The mechanism is extremely sturdy. There is a metal grommet in the lid for the hook to latch into. The lid closes really nice with a satisfying click. Like closing the door on an old high end luxury car. I don't think any of this genre of cases has ever had a better latch mechanism.

As for the tube dimensions, it does not match anything I can find.

They are really well made. I have been away for five years so likely I have missed some, but I have seen only five of them and I have two of those.
This is the suede one that I refinished that I showed earlier in this thread. The one in the above post #170 will get refinished as well, I have it now, it isn't bad but when I am done with it, I think it will look 9/10 on the outside, and the liner is 10/10 excellent. I got that case for a specific cue and it is right at home in it already.

 

[billiards_watch]

A case needs a handle and some pockets. Those Fellini cases don't cut it out for the modern pool player. Vintage cues and custom cues can be used to play today but not the usage of an old case.

 

[Chopdoc]

A case needs a handle and some pockets. Those Fellini cases don't cut it out for the modern pool player. Vintage cues and custom cues can be used to play today but not the usage of an old case.

Thanks for the non-productive "contribution".

 

[Cicerone88]

A case needs a handle and some pockets. Those Fellini cases don't cut it out for the modern pool player. Vintage cues and custom cues can be used to play today but not the usage of an old case.

I disagree. I owned a GTF for over 10 years, and now I have a JB History case which doesn’t have any pockets either. Only accessory I own is one of those last4ever tip tools that I keep in my car.

 

[Cicerone88]

Here’s some pictures i’ve found over the years of the Brunswick/AE Schmidt Expert leather case. Interestingly there’s variations of the tooling design. I believe the “Louis Crillo” case is the closest match to Fast Eddies case. Although Eddie’s case is likely brown, it has almost the exact same tooling, and the same style name plate.

 

[Cicerone88]

 

[Chopdoc]

I disagree. I owned a GTF for over 10 years, and now I have a JB History case which doesn’t have any pockets either. Only accessory I own is one of those last4ever tip tools that I keep in my car.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

It's hard to argue with the clean lines and artistry of some of the classic designs.

Some people think they are a "pro" because they show up with pouches full of gear and gadgets. They might also be impressed with themselves because they bought an expensive cue and think that makes them knowledgeable on cues, even when they demonstrate themselves publicly to be relatively ignorant.

The artistry, history, and nostalgia are fun. Some people have a hard time appreciating such things to the extent that they resent, and even lash out at those who can. Everybody has their limitations, some just don't cope with them well.

Speaking to the point the poster made, I do have a case for cases. In other words, I can carry any of my clean classic cases and have storage. I am actually working on my own version in leather. Maybe I will sell a few to discerning appreciative cue and case lovers. In point of fact, you can just take the lining out of a good case, like a JB, and slide your Fellini in to carry it with accessory pouched attached. You can do it with a cheap case if you like as well.

These pictures from many years ago that I posted of the type of cases I am talking about. I now have more, of course. I prefer them without any accessories, so that brown It's George case in the picture is the only one I have with strap and pouch. I would trade it any day for the equivalent case without the strap and pouch.

I do have some cases in the genre you posted. I do not have an AE Schmidt case yet, but I do have a couple of the Brunswick Deluxe.

But to bring this full circle, I am hoping we can identify the cases with the button latch.

 

[Cicerone88]

Thanks for sharing the pics.

It's hard to argue with the clean lines and artistry of some of the classic designs.

Some people think they are a "pro" because they show up with pouches full of gear and gadgets. They might also be impressed with themselves because they bought an expensive cue and think that makes them knowledgeable on cues, even when they demonstrate themselves publicly to be relatively ignorant.

The artistry, history, and nostalgia are fun. Some people have a hard time appreciating such things to the extent that they resent, and even lash out at those who can. Everybody has their limitations, some just don't cope with them well.

Speaking to the point the poster made, I do have a case for cases. In other words, I can carry any of my clean classic cases and have storage. I am actually working on my own version in leather. Maybe I will sell a few to discerning appreciative cue and case lovers. In point of fact, you can just take the lining out of a good case, like a JB, and slide your Fellini in to carry it with accessory pouched attached. You can do it with a cheap case if you like as well.

These pictures from many years ago that I posted of the type of cases I am talking about. I now have more, of course. I prefer them without any accessories, so that brown It's George case in the picture is the only one I have with strap and pouch. I would trade it any day for the equivalent case without the strap and pouch.

View attachment 813914

View attachment 813915

I do have some cases in the genre you posted. I do not have an AE Schmidt case yet, but I do have a couple of the Brunswick Deluxe.

But to bring this full circle, I am hoping we can identify the cases with the button latch.

Beautiful cases. Post some pictures of the Deluxe! I don’t think i’ve ever seen one before

 

[Chopdoc]

Beautiful cases. Post some pictures of the Deluxe! I don’t think i’ve ever seen one before

I am going through my files after more than five years. My cues and cases are in storage except for a couple. I ill be doing an inventory and proper pictures as I go forward. I also seem to have lost or misplaced pictures when I set up a new computer a few years ago. I have to look through old back-ups. When I get pictures of that I will post them.

The Deluxe is not so rare. I am sure you have seen them. Maybe harder to find in nice condition.

 

[u12armresl]

A case needs a handle and some pockets. Those Fellini cases don't cut it out for the modern pool player. Vintage cues and custom cues can be used to play today but not the usage of an old case.

Some people break, jump, masse, and play with one cue, so the Fellini is just fine.