MacMorran, the "forgotten" cue manufacturer?

[bongo7777]

Can anyone help with info about MacMorran & Co Ltd -Crown Cue Works, Chalk Farm, in the 1920's and 1930's?
There is almost nothing on the internet. Mike from Old Cues is about the only one to shed any light on them. There is a little info on the Snooker Heritage website but not much else.
As the manufacturers of the 29 and 32 Lindrum cues, Tom Newman, Clark McConachy, Peal (and many others) I would have thought they would have been given a lot more recognition.
Graham.
Melbourne, Australia.

[100-uper]

This company was established by Andrew MacMorran c.1924 at Crown Cue Works, 22 Cricklewood Lane, N.W., as a specialist cue maker. Macmorran had previously been employed by Peradon as a salesman, and it would seem that they didn't part on amicable terms. Peradon brought an action against Macmorran in 1926 alleging that he stole tools and materials when he left, although this was later withdrawn.

Like Peradon, the business supplied cues on a wholesale basis to the trade, and became quite successful in this respect. They moved from their Cricklewood Lane premises to a brand-new factory in 8 Fitzroy Road, Chalk Farm, in 1930, and remained there until the death of the founder in 1949.

Andrew MacMorran had one son who wasn't interested in the business, which was sold to Peradon at this time.

[jrc750]

So am i right in thinking the transfer on the cues said "Morcues" ??
ie like this
http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...wmancue002.jpg

[100-uper]

So am i right in thinking the transfer on the cues said "Morcues" ??
ie like this
http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...wmancue002.jpg

Yes, that was the company trademark. This is a photograph from their 1939 catalogue ......

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/...psduu9s1ab.png

[bongo7777]

Nice looking cue, what is the badge? You may also find your cue weight stamp is OZS I believe this is a MacMorran weight stamp.

So am i right in thinking the transfer on the cues said "Morcues" ??
ie like this
http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...wmancue002.jpg

[jrc750]

Nice looking cue, what is the badge? You may also find your cue weight stamp is OZS I believe this is a MacMorran weight stamp.

It was a Tom Newman cue i had a long time ago
http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ancue006-1.jpg
http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/a...ancue007-1.jpg

[bongo7777]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

This company was established by Andrew MacMorran c.1924 at Crown Cue Works, 22 Cricklewood Lane, N.W., as a specialist cue maker. Macmorran had previously been employed by Peradon as a salesman, and it would seem that they didn't part on amicable terms. Peradon brought an action against Macmorran in 1926 alleging that he stole tools and materials when he left, although this was later withdrawn.

Like Peradon, the business supplied cues on a wholesale basis to the trade, and became quite successful in this respect. They moved from their Cricklewood Lane premises to a brand-new factory in 8 Fitzroy Road, Chalk Farm, in 1930, and remained there until the death of the founder in 1949.

Andrew MacMorran had one son who wasn't interested in the business, which was sold to Peradon at this time.

[Brumas]

Andrew MacMorran was my grandfather. My father sold the company on Andrew’s death because it was not viable. When WW2 started the company received huge orders from the UK forces as new bases were set up but Andrew failed to claim that he needed his workers to fill government orders so they were conscripted and he was unable to fill those orders. After the war the company continued to operate but business dwindled.

[bongo7777]

Thanks for that info Brumas. Much appreciated, I believe one of the family, possibly living in Canada, has Andrew's salesman samples he used. Is that you?
Regards,
Graham Melbourne, Australia. 61-417-610-777

[Brumas]

Yes, Graham. I have Andrew’s sample cues.

[Brumas]

Yes, Graham. I have Andrew’s sample cues.

I’ll post pics of them when I get to my PC.

[DeanH]

I’ll post pics of them when I get to my PC.

Looking forward to seeing them

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[Brumas]

https://ibb.co/RSKLW3q

[Brumas]

https://i.ibb.co/ftWdHFF/BIF-Geo-V-at-Mac-Morran.jpg

[Brumas]

https://i.ibb.co/vw139r8/Mor-Cues-3.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/GJDgjWq/Mor-Cues-1-2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/rbFhQyY/Mac0003-Small.jpg