What's it worth? Brunswick 26 1/2

When I googled it, cues with wedges were all that came up with prices like $1200 to $2500...some really nice ones, which is why I was wondering how much this one was worth without the wedges, or even if it really is a 26 1/2. :confused:
 
rayjay said:
Just saw this on ebay, what is it worth? Is the model 26 1/2 as desireable for a conversion as the Titleist?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200180741911&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010
:p
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The Brunswick 26 1/2 is more desirable than a Titlist for Conversion. First of all, in the older ones the Veneer Colors are different, and the butts are generally larger than the Titlist which makes them mush more convertible. Next, the wood used in these cues is older than the Titlists cues, making it more stable/seasoned if it has been stored correctly.

The Brunswick 26 1/2 was first listed in Brunswick Catalogs around 1915, and it was also the first to have Veneered Points. These cues are broken down into two major categories Trophy Cues which had the Mother of Pearl or Ivory Wedge in the butt for a name or an event. The next would be the standard Billiard room model, which had no wedge in the bottom and featured a wrapped or non-wrapped version. The wrapped version could be wrapped with Leather, Linen, or even Cork. with Cork being the rarest.

The oldest versions of this model cue can be identified by the weight stamp. For those models with the weight stamp between the points they were made approximately around 1935 until the model was re-named the Hoppe Titlist. The earlier versions of this cue will have the weight stamp on the butt above the cues bumper. The earliest versions will have a machined wedge cut in the cues butt and the weight stamp will be located in this wedge.

The approximate value of these cues on the market today are as follows:

1. Trophy Cue with Wedge Mother of Pearl or Ivory with a Famous players name--- What ever the market bears!!!!

2. Trophy Cue with Wedge Mother of Pearl or Ivory with name--- collectible condition $800 to $1500 depending upon condition!!!

3. Trophy Cue with Wedge Mother of Pearl or Ivory no engraving---Collectible condition $800 to $1100 depending upon condition

4. Plain Brunswick 26 1/2 no pearl or Ivory wedge wrapped or unwrapped---Collectible condition $275 to $500 depending upon condition

Note woods used can effect the above prices: The prices above are for basic woods, such as, Rosewood, Paduk, Purple Heart, and others. Ebony, Blood Wood, and some of the other rarer woods will increase the above values as much as $200 or $300.

The above prices will conflict with the Blue Book Of Cues any edition. These prices are based upon prices that these cues have been selling for on average over the last two to three years.

Hope this helps!!!!!
 
It looks like a 26 1/2 to me, probably from the 1920's or 1930's. By then they didn't have the MOP wedge unless it was special order I guess. I would say it's worth between $300 and $400 as is - more if it had the decal. You can get a replacement decal for about $40 that's not quite correct but looks good - it would be gold with a red field.

This cue should be fine for a conversion but it would be a shame to cut this one up.

Chris
 
Craig, if you're ever out here we have to get together. I want to have you play with a couple of 26 1/2's I have with leather that are restored - including an ebony one - they are sweet.

I also have an all-original 26 1/2 with a MOP wedge and the earliest decal clear back decal -complete with the earliest use of the original Titlist veneer colors (like the 1942 cues) I've ever seen, approximately 1914. It's hardly been used and is still dead straight.

Chris
 
TATE said:
Craig, if you're ever out here we have to get together. I want to have you play with a couple of 26 1/2's I have with leather that are restored - including an ebony one - they are sweet.

I also have an all-original 26 1/2 with a MOP wedge and the earliest decal clear back decal -complete with the earliest use of the original Titlist veneer colors (like the 1942 cues) I've ever seen, approximately 1914. It's hardly been used and is still dead straight.

Chris
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Thanks for the invitation Chris, I would certainly enjoy that very much. I will re-send those photo's in the next day or so!!

Have a good night!!
 
Great info Manwon!!

I currently have a cue exactly like the one in the auction that I have been holding onto. It isn't perfect enough for just restoring it because of chipping at the end of the veneers, but would be great for converting.
 
masonh said:
$30 for UPS ground,wow.
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The price is very fair, I have done business with this gentleman in the past. He packages cues that he ships in a 2 in PVC Pipes for security!!!!!!
 
It's nice to see some interest in these vintage cues from members of this forum.

I sure wish there were one single resource that we could all access for information relating to the history of the Brunswick four veneer cues, the Titlist, Hoppe Professional, number 26 1/2, and the much lesser known Carom King. Fittingly, one of the only on-line consolidated sources for this history that I have seen was provided by a member of this fourm, runscott. You can view his work here: http://www.oldsplice.homestead.com/

I wanted to contribute a few tid bits in the interest of sharing accurate information:

1) To my knowledge, the 26.5 was the first four veneer cue design produced by Brunswick. I have wondered exactly when it was intruduced, and thanks to Chris Tate I was able to see that the 26.5 was available as early as 1908, how much earlier, I don't know. (26.5 pictured in 1908 BBC catalog)

2) The progression of BBC four veneer cues was the following:
< 1908 no. 26.5, <1938 Carom King, approx 1941 Titlist & Hoppe Professional. Tough to see, but this is a 1938 catalog offering the Carom King in the upper right hand corner. Here is a picture of the label on my own Carom King cue.

3) The "wedge," as we call it, was actually called a name plate, and could be used for carving one's name or other information. I had read some place that it was only offered between certain years in the 20s, but the link to the 1908 catalog proves that wrong, as you can see it was offered at that time as well. Here is a picture of a few of mine.

4) One of the nicest 26.5s that I have seen can be purchased here for just $2,500 about half way down the page.

5) The Willie Hoppe Professional cue was a higher quality two piece version of the Titlist one piece house cue, and was typically priced at more than twice the price.

6) Copies of many vintage catalogs can be purchased here for further research.

Ok, now I'm just rambling... Guess I'm just excited that more than three others on this forum are also interested in this history. Feel to browse just some of my collection at the link in my signature. The rack in my avatar is a very rare original 1890s BBC 12x12, and is home to most of my nicest pieces.
 
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I have 2 old brunswick 1 piece cues.Both have wt. stampe in between the points.I will take pics. in the morning .there are no veneers in them but I would like to know what I have ,if anything.Got them from a old pool hall in town here. Thanks for any info you can give me. Jeff
 
Mr Hoppe said:
It's nice to see some interest in these vintage cues from members of this forum.

I sure wish there were one single resource that we could all access for information relating to the history of the Brunswick four veneer cues, the Titlist, Hoppe Professional, number 26 1/2, and the much lesser known Carom King. Fittingly, one of the only on-line consolidated sources for this history that I have seen was provided by a member of this forum, runscott. You can view his work here: http://www.oldsplice.homestead.com/

I wanted to contribute a few tid bits in the interest of sharing accurate information:

1) To my knowledge, the 26.5 was the first four veneer cue design produced by Brunswick. I have wondered exactly when it was intruduced, and thanks to Chris Tate I was able to see that the 26.5 was available as early as 1908, how much earlier, I don't know. (26.5 pictured in 1908 BBC catalog)

2) The progression of BBC four veneer cues was the following:
< 1908 no. 26.5, <1938 Carom King, approx 1941 Titlist & Hoppe Professional. Tough to see, but this is a 1938 catalog offering the Carom King in the upper right hand corner. Here is a picture of the label on my own Carom King cue.

3) The "wedge," as we call it, was actually called a name plate, and could be used for carving one's name or other information. I had read some place that it was only offered between certain years in the 20s, but the link to the 1908 catalog proves that wrong, as you can see it was offered at that time as well. Here is a picture of a few of mine.

4) One of the nicest 26.5s that I have seen can be purchased here for just $2,500 about half way down the page.

5) The Willie Hoppe Professional cue was a higher quality two piece version of the Titlist one piece house cue, and was typically priced at more than twice the price.

6) Copies of many vintage catalogs can be purchased here for further research.

Ok, now I'm just rambling... Guess I'm just excited that more than three others on this forum are also interested in this history. Feel to browse just some of my collection at the link in my signature. The rack in my avatar is a very rare original 1890s BBC 12x12, and is home to most of my nicest pieces.
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Thanks for expanding on the information I have provided above, and I totally agree that it is great to see more people interested in this subject here on the forum.

Additionally, I would like to add the following information to one of your quotes from above.

3) The "wedge," as we call it, was actually called a name plate, and could be used for carving one's name or other information. I had read some place that it was only offered between certain years in the 20s, but the link to the 1908 catalog proves that wrong, as you can see it was offered at that time as well. Here is a picture of a few of minehttp://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z189/beldar71/IMG_2407.jpg

The Pearl / Ivory Butt wedge or triangle as was also used to my knowledge was offered from the late 1880's through the 1950's. It appears that the pearl square was the later style that was used, and the wedge was the earliest. Runscott, has a Two piece Hoppe Titlist cue with a square Pearl segment located in the cues butt, however, it un-engraved. The term I used above Trophy cues, was the only purpose these designs were added in the early days.

They were meant to signify an event, or they were give out to the winner of a tournament engraved with the winners name. All of these cues were specially made for this purpose and they cost extra when purchased from Brunswick. When purchased from Brunswick in most cases the Wedge or square was initially blank like trophies are made today. However some of the cues were awarded directly from Brunswick especially if they sponsored the tournament themselves, or if the cue was made to commemorate a past achievement.

Just though I would add some additional information for the readers of this thread.

Thanks for the information MR. Hoppe!!!!!
 
Not trying to hijack this thread, but since you guys are the resident experts, what would you feel the value would be of a non veneered pointed Brunswick trophy cue? I have one that was given to a 2nd place finisher in a tournament in 1913. Has the guy's name, the place, and the date. Also has an ivory joint (although cracked) and an ebony pointed splice shaft with ivory ferrule. It is very presentable in condition, almost full logo.
 
cuenut said:
Not trying to hijack this thread, but since you guys are the resident experts, what would you feel the value would be of a non veneered pointed Brunswick trophy cue? I have one that was given to a 2nd place finisher in a tournament in 1913. Has the guy's name, the place, and the date. Also has an ivory joint (although cracked) and an ebony pointed splice shaft with ivory ferrule. It is very presentable in condition, almost full logo.
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You would need to post some photo's of the cue, clearly showing any damage. It is impossible to say at this point if the cue is even a Brunswick, is there a readable lable?

Have a good night
 
manwon said:
You would need to post some photo's of the cue, clearly showing any damage. It is impossible to say at this point if the cue is even a Brunswick, is there a readable lable?

Have a good night
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Definitely Brunswick with very good label. Only damage is the cracked ivory joint.
 

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Hey,that is a neat old cue. I learned in an earlier post about the rectangle presentation cue,but had only seen the wedge style.
 
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