Marquetry cue

[100-uper]

Don't know if anyone spotted this cue which has just finished on eBay. [item here]



Although I've seen a few listed before, I have never previously spotted one that lasted to the end of the auction. Usually someone jumps in with an offer which can't be refused and it disappears in short order.

The vendor describes it as being "French" and made in the "late 1890s" probably neither of which is correct. Still, a selling price of £850 is a bit less than I was anticipating. The Americans used to be big buyers for these cues. I wonder if the market is starting to sag a bit over there?

[Leo]

It certainly looks older then the 1890's couldn't give a specific date though. Whether it's french not sure as it could of been made anywhere.

[willtyson]

Nice looking cue. Last one I remember being sold, which was a while back, went for over a £1000 if I recall. I'll see if I can find the emails because I got in touch with someone about it.

[ADR147]

i used to have buyers lined up for these at £1500 - £2000 a pop but now like the mace they are not hitting the same levels.

[j6uk]

what woods are they made of and are they still playable?

[100-uper]

what woods are they made of and are they still playable?

I'd be quite interested in identifying the wood used for these cues as well. I have two examples, both of which give the appearance of a smooth grained shaft, like pearwood, but on closer examination there is some grain and I have shown a photo below.




The top one I would date at about 1880 and the lower one, which appears a few shades darker, looks earlier, but I think it is the same wood. Does anyone have an idea of what it might be?

[j6uk]

i don't recognize the grain pattern but they do look the same in your pic. what kind of wood is used on the butt, is that and is there some kind of splicing?

[100-uper]

i don't recognize the grain pattern but they do look the same in your pic. what kind of wood is used on the butt, is that and is there some kind of splicing?

The butt of the top cue (the later one) is a very strange construction. No doubt a cuemaker can figure out how it is put together but it appears to have a veneer of ebony over a much cheaper wood and some sort of inset laminated strip. The core wood at the butt is not the same as the shaft, and the laminated strip stops at the base of the splice.

The lower cue has a double splice (like a Mannock) which extends over half the overall length of the cue. The base wood of the top splice looks like rosewood. I'm not sure what the lower splice is made from. It looks too brown for traditional ebony. This cue has the same type of laminated strip set into the butt up to the first splice.

[j6uk]

interesting, thank you. i take it the actual top of the splice looks similar as cues now

[100-uper]

interesting, thank you. i take it the actual top of the splice looks similar as cues now

The single splice cue is machine-splice, the double-spice has a machine-splice at the bottom, and sort of triple hand-splice at the top where it attaches to the shaft.



You can see the wood used as the base for the second splice, which I assume is rosewood.

[franksandellsnooker]

The shafts may be hickory which was certainly used in the period. I would say cues probably date from around 1850. The shafts will have darkened considerably with age which in my view gives even more appeal. The first cue shown which is now sold may well be constructed of two pieces. The shaft of pear the marquetary section having a base possibly of a maple or perhaps the saw falling from the cue maker who has then used great skill to conceal the point where the joint is finished. I have an example of this in my collection. The veneers are probably of various fruit and silk wood. Ivory enhancement is also used. Only possibilities these suggestions Peter but would be delighted of other opinions. F.

[Stupree]

Here is my hickory shaft for comparison

[j6uk]

Here is my hickory shaft for comparison[/IMG]

looks nice that. heard good things along the way but i'm not sure if ive had a shot with one, how's hickory like to to play with?

[j6uk]

The single splice cue is machine-splice, the double-spice has a machine-splice at the bottom, and sort of triple hand-splice at the top where it attaches to the shaft.



You can see the wood used as the base for the second splice, which I assume is rosewood.

thanks again, wondering now what it plays like but i guess there simply collectables now

[Stupree]

looks nice that. heard good things along the way but i'm not sure if ive had a shot with one, how's hickory like to to play with?

Thanks! - I can only go by this cue at the moment which is my 8 ball cue so it doesn't get the full workout but I would say it produces stiff cues with a very smooth finish. I will be collecting a snooker spec version of this cue from Tony Glover in teh next fortnight so can give you more of a run down then.