Willie's cue sells for $92,000.

[Frankenstroke]

Willie Mosconi's Balabushka sold at auction tonight for $92,000.

I just got home from the auction in Chicago. Very interesting.

Of course the highlight was Willie's Buska, which bid from the online offer of
$20,000 to $80,000 plus 15% buyers fee.

There were only about 10 to 12 people there in person.

Probably 3 phone bidders for the Bushka.

I was successful bidder on his 1985 contract with Harrah's, to be their
"Good Will Ambassador" for 1 year, for $40,000. (Lot no. 358 in the auction.)

 

[beetle]

Thanks for the info. Now, who among us bought it? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Frankenstroke]

Other items of interest:

Gold Crown $6,325
1981 Helmstetter $21,850
Very old leather case $2,530
golf bag $402


Complete auction results are posted at www.huntauctions.com

 

[manwon]

Willie Mosconi's Balabushka sold at auction tonight for $92,000.

I just got home from the auction in Chicago. Very interesting.

Of course the highlight was Willie's Buska, which bid from the online offer of
$20,000 to $80,000 plus 15% buyers fee.

There were only about 10 to 12 people there in person.

Probably 3 phone bidders for the Bushka.

I was successful bidder on his 1985 contract with Harrah's, to be their
"Good Will Ambassador" for 1 year, for $40,000. (Lot no. 358 in the auction.)

I think it is fair to say that Willies Balabushka has met the highest price ever paid for one of Georges cues. I bet George just not only rolled over in his grave but also sat straight up and busted a hole straight through is Casket.

All I can say is Wow, but like Willies straight pool run this is another record associated with him that may never be broken.

Thanks for the information

 

[Frankenstroke]

Thanks for the info. Now, who among us bought it? Inquiring minds want to know!

It was bidder number 544.

(Sorry, thats all I know.)

 

[jay helfert]

Willie Mosconi's Balabushka sold at auction tonight for $92,000.

I just got home from the auction in Chicago. Very interesting.

Of course the highlight was Willie's Buska, which bid from the online offer of
$20,000 to $80,000 plus 15% buyers fee.

There were only about 10 to 12 people there in person.

Probably 3 phone bidders for the Bushka.

I was successful bidder on his 1985 contract with Harrah's, to be their
"Good Will Ambassador" for 1 year, for $40,000. (Lot no. 358 in the auction.)

I made online bids on all the various contracts and agreements that Willie signed. I did not participate in the auction today (by phone), so I have no idea if I won anything. How much did the contract go for? My online bid was $50.

 

[Frankenstroke]

I made online bids on all the various contracts and agreements that Willie signed. I did not participate in the auction today (by phone) so I have no idea if I won anything. How much did the contract go for? My online bid was $50.

I paid $100 plus tax and 15% buyers fee.

 

[Frankenstroke]

Not many online bids held up. Most action was over the phones. I also bought lot #407 for $10 because there were no bids on it and the auctioneer seemed confused as to what to do with a "no sale".

2 ferrules and a "Willie Mosconi" name tape.

 

[TX Poolnut]

What economic slump? It's good to hear that there was brisk bidding and that his estate may have a little padding. I hope his family was satisfied with the outcome of the auctions.

 

[PoolBum]

I was successful bidder on his 1985 contract with Harrah's, to be their "Good Will Ambassador" for 1 year, for $40,000. (Lot no. 358 in the auction.)

Wow, you paid $40,000 for that contract huh?

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

Wow, you paid $40,000 for that contract huh?

No. He said he paid $100 for it. I believe the $40K is what Willie was paid under the terms of the contract.

 

[Frankenstroke]

Wow, you paid $40,000 for that contract huh?

I knew someone would twist up my sentence like that. Always some wiseguy on the forum.

Autographed 8ball #413 sold for $1,552.50. Smudged 8ball #429 went for
$195.50.

I found it curious that Willie had so many ferrules. And that he had Minnesota Fats endorsed chalk and table repair kit.

I don't think Willie threw anything away that was billiard related.

 

[watchez]

How much can I get for this?

 

[sydbarret]

How much can I get for this?

wow, I think I have the same picture signed by Willie and I think his wife. You must have got that in 92 or so in maybe Kansas City.

 

[mrinsatiable]

wow..that cue is epic!!!!!! doesn't get any bigger than Mosconi and Balabushka. thanks for sharing the info..that cue deserves to be in the Billiard hall of fame museum...

 

[ibuycues]

I was bidding on a couple of the Mosconi items and one cue (Helmstetter), and helped drive the prices up early, online. I was not involved in the live auction Saturday, I saw the cues were going to explode in price.

I guess I can say I "owned" some cool stuff for a little while.

Oh well, back to the pit. This grind gets old, but someone`s gotta do it. J/K.

Two members of the Glenn family came by my home for about half a day earlier in the week, so I knew there was going to likely be some "collisions" in thinking with some bidders on Saturday.

..........Yep!

Will Prout

BTW, I like your posters Watchez! And let`s talk cues sometime!

 

[jay helfert]

wow..that cue is epic!!!!!! doesn't get any bigger than Mosconi and Balabushka. thanks for sharing the info..that cue deserves to be in the Billiard hall of fame museum...

His Rambow is the really valuable cue. He won all those titles with it, not the Bushka.

 

[smashmouth]

was this cue promoted as the cue he won his titles with? I wonder of the buyer realizes?


6k for for his personal gold crown sounds like a steal

 

[kvinbrwr]

I was bidding on a couple of the Mosconi items and one cue (Helmstetter), and helped drive the prices up early, online. I was not involved in the live auction Saturday, I saw the cues were going to explode in price.

I guess I can say I "owned" some cool stuff for a little while.

Oh well, back to the pit. This grind gets old, but someone`s gotta do it. J/K.

Two members of the Glenn family came by my home for about half a day earlier in the week, so I knew there was going to likely be some "collisions" in thinking with some bidders on Saturday.

..........Yep!

Will Prout

BTW, I like your posters Watchez! And let`s talk cues sometime!

You just gotta figure those Glenn boys would have had some STRONG interest in items with Willie provenance like that, especially that Balabushka, which, in my uneducated opinion, went pretty darn good considering its connection to Willie.

I can imagine there was some ogling of your stuff, the visit must have been gratifying.

I liked the Helmstetter too, although that brought an outstanding price also. Helmstetter made a huge contribution to the cue making world, but he made so many cues that finding collectible examples is a little hard. That cue was one, but I liked it far more at the estimate.

Oh well, on to the next.

Thanks

Kevin

 

[kvinbrwr]

I think it is fair to say that Willies Balabushka has met the highest price ever paid for one of Georges cues. I bet George just not only rolled over in his grave but also sat straight up and busted a hole straight through is Casket.

All I can say is Wow, but like Willies straight pool run this is another record associated with him that may never be broken.

Thanks for the information

Craig

If my memory serves me correctly (and it often doesn't) the "Golden Balabushka" brought more.

Thanks

Kevin