To restore or not restore, that is the question

[pawnmon]

Over the years I've ended up with lots of cues, mostly older ones. All of them are more or less collectable. Even though I've got my favorite playing cues, I play with all of them from time to time; no cabinet queens. My question is how do you feel about refinishing older collectable cues, which are in just ok to very good condition.

For example I've got a Laube cue that's in about 80% condition (all original) but does look a little ratty around the edges. Is a refinish a good idea? Another situation is that I've got quite a few old Wilie Hoppe jointed cues. All are in good to excellent original condition including the decals. Would it make sense to have a good cuemaker remake and refinish a couple of those (replacing the joint, joint collars, ferrule, wrap, maybe add a little gingerbread, and refinish) or would I be diminishing the value by doing that?

Your 2 cents?

 

[Cornerman]

Over the years I've ended up with lots of cues, mostly older ones. All of them are more or less collectable. Even though I've got my favorite playing cues, I play with all of them from time to time; no cabinet queens. My question is how do you feel about refinishing older collectable cues, which are in just ok to very good condition.

I know this will be a cheesy answer, but IMO, if you are a collector, you should collect whatever you want to for your own reasons, and then do whatever you want with your collection for your own reasons. If refinishing an older cue will make you feel better, I say go for it.

If on the other hand you plan on selling it, or you buy cues as investmenst or for historical reasons, then IMO, you shouldn't refinish them because of the disruption of provenance, I guess.

 

[Koop]

I know this will be a cheesy answer, but IMO, if you are a collector, you should collect whatever you want to for your own reasons, and then do whatever you want with your collection for your own reasons. If refinishing an older cue will make you feel better, I say go for it.

If on the other hand you plan on selling it, or you buy cues as investmenst or for historical reasons, then IMO, you shouldn't refinish them because of the disruption of provenance, I guess.

Hi Fred,

Welcome back.

Koop

 

[NaClBandit]

Welcome back, FrEdward.

There was a thread mourning your departure; I wonder if there will be a "Welcome Back" thread. Actually it seems as if we're hijacking this one and turning it into exactly that.

As for the cues...I think that refinishing is ok as long as the original motif of the cue is maintained (no major changes). Just because it's an antique doesn't mean it has to look like one.

JMO.

 

[TATE]

Over the years I've ended up with lots of cues, mostly older ones. All of them are more or less collectable. Even though I've got my favorite playing cues, I play with all of them from time to time; no cabinet queens. My question is how do you feel about refinishing older collectable cues, which are in just ok to very good condition.

For example I've got a Laube cue that's in about 80% condition (all original) but does look a little ratty around the edges. Is a refinish a good idea? Another situation is that I've got quite a few old Wilie Hoppe jointed cues. All are in good to excellent original condition including the decals. Would it make sense to have a good cuemaker remake and refinish a couple of those (replacing the joint, joint collars, ferrule, wrap, maybe add a little gingerbread, and refinish) or would I be diminishing the value by doing that?

Your 2 cents?

First of all, thank you for sending me that Eddie Laube patent info - excellent!

I think repairs and restoration are a judgement call you just have to do it based on the individual cue.

I like cues to look nice and to be in a decent state of repair. That being said, I also like cues to be original. My opinion is that refinishes and repairs should be done with reasonable restraint, and as close to original as possible.

There are some things I wouldn't touch, and some I wouldn't think twice about replacing. I've had some real junk yard cues turn out to be beauties.

For example, this Model 11 was stored in a moist garage and was almost unrecognizable under the flaky lacquer finish. It would have been a shame to leave this cue in that condition:

http://www.palmercollector.com/Model11page.html

Chris

 

[TATE]

I know this will be a cheesy answer, but IMO, if you are a collector, you should collect whatever you want to for your own reasons, and then do whatever you want with your collection for your own reasons. If refinishing an older cue will make you feel better, I say go for it.

If on the other hand you plan on selling it, or you buy cues as investmenst or for historical reasons, then IMO, you shouldn't refinish them because of the disruption of provenance, I guess.

If you are Fred, a big welcome back! Glad you didn't leave the game.

Chris