Unusual Joe Porper Pool Cue

Benelli

Benelli

Well-known member
Hey friend here in KC has a Proper cue he picked up at a pawn shop 15 years ago and was trying to figure out what a reasonable value would be. Its stag, ivory, and ebony on a maple core. I've seen similar cues from big-name builders but have no clue on what advice to give him on this one.

Given the materials and craftsmanship, I felt a $2K starting point was about right.

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Porper cues are not highly sought after. At least not in my part of the country. I am guessing $1200 is more in the neighborhood of what it will sell for.
 
I believe that the market value would be closer to the $400 than the $1200 quotes. Probably 400 to 600 range - as a guide - could be only 400 - condition would help determine that.
 
straightline said:
Needs better pics. Looking more like $400.
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mikemosconi said:
I believe that the market value would be closer to the $400 than the $1200 quotes. Probably 400 to 600 range - as a guide - could be only 400 - condition would help determine that.
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Respectfully, No.

Porper build quality coupled with the materials puts it WELL above that. You're pricing in line with lower-quality Vikings and McDermotts which is just insane for a custom-built cue.

If it were plain, straight wood, yes I would agree with you, but this cue, no.
 
Benelli said:
Respectfully, No.

Porper build quality coupled with the materials puts it WELL above that. You're pricing in line with lower-quality Vikings and McDermotts which is just insane for a custom-built cue.

If it were plain, straight wood, yes I would agree with you, but this cue, no.
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Listen, some cue makers make great cues, but the secondary cue market just does not support those cues as it does the cues from guys like Scruggs, Tascarella, Richard Black, etc. --- JOE Porper cues never had a good secondary market- period- there is one on e bay now- it is a very, very nice cue from Joe P and it has had only one bid in 3 days- the asking opening bid of $300- I bet that it does not go above $700 at most and that cue, IMO, is much nicer than the Joe P cue that you show here.

Follow THAT auction- ends in 5 days- then you will know for sure the current market value on Joe P cues- or at least have a documented starting point- but you just can't make market value statements on cues based upon build quality- I have owned dozens of great quality builds and they are not above $500 in current market value today.
 
mikemosconi said:
Listen, some cue makers make great cues, but the secondary cue market just does not support those cues as it does the cues from guys like Scruggs, Tascarella, Richard Black, etc. --- JOE Porper cues never had a good secondary market- period- there is one on e bay now- it is a very, very nice cue from Joe P and it has had only one bid in 3 days- the asking opening bid of $300- I bet that it does not go above $700 at most and that cue, IMO, is much nicer than the Joe P cue that you show here.

Follow THAT auction- ends in 5 days- then you will know for sure the current market value on Joe P cues- or at least have a documented starting point- but you just can't make market value statements on cues based upon build quality- I have owned dozens of great quality builds and they are not above $500 in current market value today.
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i am in agreement. the Porper cues i have seen for sale, have not brought a high dollar figure. also when posting photos, at least one of them should show the whole butt in one shot to get a good view without having to piece them together. IMO
 
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mikemosconi said:
Listen, some cue makers make great cues, but the secondary cue market just does not support those cues as it does the cues from guys like Scruggs, Tascarella, Richard Black, etc. --- JOE Porper cues never had a good secondary market- period- there is one on e bay now- it is a very, very nice cue from Joe P and it has had only one bid in 3 days- the asking opening bid of $300- I bet that it does not go above $700 at most and that cue, IMO, is much nicer than the Joe P cue that you show here.

Follow THAT auction- ends in 5 days- then you will know for sure the current market value on Joe P cues- or at least have a documented starting point- but you just can't make market value statements on cues based upon build quality- I have owned dozens of great quality builds and they are not above $500 in current market value today.
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I can't find the auction, is it on eBay?
 
Benelli said:
Found it, it's kind of an ugly cue.

But I'll keep an eye on it.
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The cue on e bay is a J Proper recently completely refinished by Greg Sowder and also loaded with ivory inlays - so it is in new condition and ivory laden. - whether you like the design or not is unimportant - Just consider your idea of a $2,000 starting point on your cue vs. the current cue at auction and what it brings in 5 days as a guide. The cue at auction presently has only one bidder at $300 after several days online- if that same cue were a Scruggs it would already be at $2,000.
 
These guys probably know more than I do about the resale market as I have not been doing much buying in recent years.
I would be a buyer at $500 if your friend wants to sell it. My $1200 was just a guess as to top dollar for it to someone that wanted a rarer type of Porper that has California or Chicago type of money.
 
Not to mention, what is the general condition of the cue market itself? I think we are in a serious buyer's market. If I was thinking of selling, I just wouldn't because I do not think I would like the result. Seems to me that this could cause a swing of at least $500 in the instant cue. But, what do I know?
 
I sold this cue on ebay for 466.00 about 6 years ago. Joe's cues weren't popular when he made them let alone years later.
 

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A lot of pith in that stag.

OTOH, the BEM forearm in post 15 is beautiful.

Cannot say the same for the three section horn.

And what pin is that?
 
SBC said:
Cue screams CNC built.
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This statement screams ignorance. I'm sure you are referring to the inlay rounded corners, but those could have just as likely been done with a pantograph.

I cut half splices with a CNC, they are as sharp as the ones I cut without CNC.

I've yet to see a machine that builds cues...CNC or otherwise. I know a decent amount about manufacturing and machine process...I spent 13 years designing, building, supporting, and testing multi million dollar automation machines for the aerospace industry. A machine that could build cues would be extremely complicated.

I don't care how much CNC a maker uses, nobody puts shit in a machine, presses a button, walks away for a while and comes back to a cue that is finished.

By the same token, nobody is sitting down with a spokeshave and hand chisels to make a cue. Everybody uses at least lathes and jigs, which are capable of doing work of the same quality and repeatability as CNC machines, arguably faster, also when doing identical processes. Honestly, I only built my CNC to satisfy my own desire to make a CNC.
 
jimmyco said:
A lot of pith in that stag.

OTOH, the BEM forearm in post 15 is beautiful.

Cannot say the same for the three section horn.

And what pin is that?
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Joe's own 5/16x18.
Joe was very secretive, Chatsworth and surrounding areas have a lot of little machine shops and Joe knew most of them. He could have pretty much what ever he wanted made locally.
 
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Mr. Porper was more known for his Cue cases and Cue accessories.
His lathes between 6 and 700 produced.
If I had one of his Cues and wanted to sell it, the best market might be the Pool rooms around the Chatsworth and LA area.
His shop was in Chatsworth.
 
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