If you look through all of the lots, you will find many of his personal cues including a Helmstetter.
wanted willie mosconi balabushka auction info
- Thread starter cornerstone
- Start date
That is a sweeeet Balabushka, it just can't miss a ball.
LOT #379:
Description: Willie Mosconi's personalized Helmstetter cue. Forearm has Adam Cues logo with "Made Especially For Willie Mosconi by Helmstetter" lettered on. (4) Points with four colored veneers, each having flower shaped mother-of-pearl inlays alternating with (3) dots. Butt sleeve has (3) rows of mother-of -pearl inlayed dots with several pairs of similar flowers interspersed. Leather wrapped handle. Butt cap has old english style "Willie Mosconi" lettered on with Adam Cues logo on either side and paraph below. Measures 57.5" long. Exhibits moderate usage wear. Housed within faux leather carrying case which has metal placard affixed to the end reading "Willie Mosconi, June 27, 1981" (interior dividers not present). Includes letter of provenance from Bill Mosconi: EX/MT
Estimated Price Range: ($2,000-$3,000)
Description: Willie Mosconi's personalized Helmstetter cue. Forearm has Adam Cues logo with "Made Especially For Willie Mosconi by Helmstetter" lettered on. (4) Points with four colored veneers, each having flower shaped mother-of-pearl inlays alternating with (3) dots. Butt sleeve has (3) rows of mother-of -pearl inlayed dots with several pairs of similar flowers interspersed. Leather wrapped handle. Butt cap has old english style "Willie Mosconi" lettered on with Adam Cues logo on either side and paraph below. Measures 57.5" long. Exhibits moderate usage wear. Housed within faux leather carrying case which has metal placard affixed to the end reading "Willie Mosconi, June 27, 1981" (interior dividers not present). Includes letter of provenance from Bill Mosconi: EX/MT
Estimated Price Range: ($2,000-$3,000)
Attachments
That case looks like a Martin, but it can't be one.
When Willie held it, it didn't.
The number on the Balabushka gonna be over the Szamboti?
I just don't know. Willie "used" so many cues, all those guys kinda traded on their fame and abused cue makers and collectors a bit in the process. I don't know the provenance of the Bushka.
I do know one thing.
The Balabushka is a great cue.
Thanks
Kevin
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It IS in there. It's one of the most ornate Balabushkas I've ever seen. According to them, it is expected to sell for $50K to $100K. It comes with EIGHT shafts and a few pictures of him using it over the years. There are is also a Helmstetter as well, but it is priced a whole lot lower along with several other cues. The Helmstetter is ornate, but uuuuugly! There are two tables for sale. Oodles of balls, pictures, and books signed by him.
On the home page they have a link that will take you to a short description of the items available. On the far right hand side of the next page there is another option to view current items... Willie's Balabushka is located in items #301-400 and is currently at about $20,000.00. I hope this helps.
WOW! These last two posts are just so on time and informative... DUH!
Good looking out new guys! Lurking a little longer might have been a good idea
Good looking out new guys! Lurking a little longer might have been a good idea
Stealing.
I am in the mood too! Now I have to talk myself out of bidding. The cue is worth more than that if Joe Blow owned it!!
Nick
I am in the mood too! Now I have to talk myself out of bidding. The cue is worth more than that if Joe Blow owned it!!
Nick
Here is an "interesting fact" supplied by one AZer about Willie's 'Bushka cue.
That's all great stuff.
Willie was pretty well known (from what I understand) for getting cue makers to make cues for him (what an honor) and showing up at exhibitions with a new "his cue" for every show and then selling "his cue" to whomever wanted to buy Willie Mosconi's cue at that particular show.
This was a fairly common practice among big name pool players back when there were big name pool players. I think The Miz did a little of it too. Nice work if you can get it. I would do the same thing except: I wouldn't be able to get Eddie Wheat to donate me a cue, let alone a noted cue maker. If I gave an exhibition, nobody would come.
Mosconi told Ernie Gutierrez that if Ernie wanted to make a cue for him that would be OK, and Ernie replied he would be glad to sell Mosconi a cue, or donate one, but if he donated one he'd be looking for some promotional consideration. Mosconi replied that he never paid for cues and that his deal with Brunswick precluded him from promoting any body elses' pool products and that was the end of that.
That Balabushka, stand alone, is plenty nice, and the provenance doesn't hurt it one bit. As far as the auction estimate ? I'll take the under.
Thanks
Kevin
Willie was pretty well known (from what I understand) for getting cue makers to make cues for him (what an honor) and showing up at exhibitions with a new "his cue" for every show and then selling "his cue" to whomever wanted to buy Willie Mosconi's cue at that particular show.
This was a fairly common practice among big name pool players back when there were big name pool players. I think The Miz did a little of it too. Nice work if you can get it. I would do the same thing except: I wouldn't be able to get Eddie Wheat to donate me a cue, let alone a noted cue maker. If I gave an exhibition, nobody would come.
Mosconi told Ernie Gutierrez that if Ernie wanted to make a cue for him that would be OK, and Ernie replied he would be glad to sell Mosconi a cue, or donate one, but if he donated one he'd be looking for some promotional consideration. Mosconi replied that he never paid for cues and that his deal with Brunswick precluded him from promoting any body elses' pool products and that was the end of that.
That Balabushka, stand alone, is plenty nice, and the provenance doesn't hurt it one bit. As far as the auction estimate ? I'll take the under.
Thanks
Kevin
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Here's a legible description of the Buska & auction info.
Description: Willie Mosconi's favored cue - a magnificent George Balabushka original. An exquisite original produced by the Russian master expressly for Willie Mosconi. Burton Spain forearm with four Ebony colored points and five colored veneers, each having notched diamond mother-of-pearl inlays with four dots above. Ebony butt sleeve with pair of gold colored rings has three rows of mother-of -pearl inlayed dots with four notched diamonds interspersed. Green and white Irish linen wrapped handle with black and white striped series of rings above caped by silver color metal ring on either side. Stainless steel joint with black collar and silver colored ring. Includes a total of (8) shafts made specifically for this cue. As presented to us by the family, it is believed that approximately three were made by Balabushka himself, (3) by Joss, and (2) by Mike Fusco. Noted by the family as one of Mosconi's favored cues, it shows expected usage wear with scattered light scuffing to the wrap, a few very small nicks/scratches, and blue chalk residue. He is pictured using it at many times throughout his career and several of the images will be included. Housed within a pair of box-style carrying cases (1 marked "Palmer De Luxe"). Incredibly significant cue which may well be the most significant offering of its type at public auction presenting a specifically unique opportunity to the collecting public. Includes letter of provenance from Bill Mosconi: EX/MT
Estimated Price Range: ($50,000-$100,000)
The LIVE Auction is open for online pre-bidding until Thursday, May 12 at 10pm EST. High Bids & Ceiling Bids placed during the pre-bidding period will be executed competitively during the Live Auction. It is not possible to bid online during the auction itself. Additional arrangements for phone & absentee bidding are being accepted at 610.524.0822 or info@huntauctions.com.
Description: Willie Mosconi's favored cue - a magnificent George Balabushka original. An exquisite original produced by the Russian master expressly for Willie Mosconi. Burton Spain forearm with four Ebony colored points and five colored veneers, each having notched diamond mother-of-pearl inlays with four dots above. Ebony butt sleeve with pair of gold colored rings has three rows of mother-of -pearl inlayed dots with four notched diamonds interspersed. Green and white Irish linen wrapped handle with black and white striped series of rings above caped by silver color metal ring on either side. Stainless steel joint with black collar and silver colored ring. Includes a total of (8) shafts made specifically for this cue. As presented to us by the family, it is believed that approximately three were made by Balabushka himself, (3) by Joss, and (2) by Mike Fusco. Noted by the family as one of Mosconi's favored cues, it shows expected usage wear with scattered light scuffing to the wrap, a few very small nicks/scratches, and blue chalk residue. He is pictured using it at many times throughout his career and several of the images will be included. Housed within a pair of box-style carrying cases (1 marked "Palmer De Luxe"). Incredibly significant cue which may well be the most significant offering of its type at public auction presenting a specifically unique opportunity to the collecting public. Includes letter of provenance from Bill Mosconi: EX/MT
Estimated Price Range: ($50,000-$100,000)
The LIVE Auction is open for online pre-bidding until Thursday, May 12 at 10pm EST. High Bids & Ceiling Bids placed during the pre-bidding period will be executed competitively during the Live Auction. It is not possible to bid online during the auction itself. Additional arrangements for phone & absentee bidding are being accepted at 610.524.0822 or info@huntauctions.com.
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