UK TV company looking for examples of Hyatt celluloid and ivory billiard balls in NYC

[EmmaTwoFour]

Hello everybody,

I wondered if any knowledgeable forum members might be able to help me. I work for a TV company based in the UK and we are travelling to NYC to carry out some filming for a documentary series. We plan to tell the story of the invention of celluloid as an ivory substitute.

I am looking for some original celluloid billiard balls (manufactured by Albany Billiard Ball Company and invented by John Wesley Hyatt) to use as a prop for filming. I am also looking for an ivory billiard ball for comparison.

Can anyone suggest where I could borrow these items in the NYC area? The early celluloid composite versions appear to be quite rare and of course the ivory versions are even more difficult to find. If anyone has any contacts or suggestions I would be very grateful.

Thank you in advance.

Emma

+44 (0)1752 727 565
emma.fraser@twofour.co.uk

[j6uk]

emma, you could also try contacting amsterdam billiards in manhatten, quite a knowledgeable crowed over there

[Geoff Large]

100upper

Hi Peter this is the lady ( Emma ) who made inquiries to me , I have given her your email and number for contact as I think you may be able to help her with her research into the history of these balls

[DeanH]

maybe Thurston/Clare billiard/snooker museum may be able to help?
http://www.snookerheritage.co.uk/

[EmmaTwoFour]

Thanks all, j6uk - I will give Amsterdam Billiards a call. It's a nice pool hall and I was thinking of seeing whether we could do our filming there actually...

Geoff - thanks again for providing Peter's details.

DeanH - Yes I've talked with them already and they have been very helpful.

Emma

[j6uk]

i was quite friendly with the team that was running the place a good few years back.. i will have a look to try and dig out some old contacts for you, and some names to drop

[EmmaTwoFour]

i was quite friendly with the team that was running the place a good few years back.. i will have a look to try and dig out some old contacts for you, and some names to drop

That would be great, thank you!

[j6uk]

pm me emma and i will dig out a few emails you can try

[DeanH]

Emma, you will need over 10 posts (and a bit of patience) before you get the Private Messaging function
If you click on the member's name at the top of the post, you will see the option to Private Message.
Good luck with the venture, let us know when it is available to see

[ADR147]

There is a collector in NYC who will definitely have ivory balls - the others I am not sure. if you need to speak to anyone before you hit the 10 posts email me i will pass it on. adr147@hotmail.com

[Hello, Mr Big Shot]

You are better off asking this question on azbilliards.com.

[itsnoteasy]

You are better off asking this question on azbilliards.com.

Yep some very knowledgeable folk on there about the U.S side of cue sports( and others to be fair).

[EmmaTwoFour]

pm me emma and i will dig out a few emails you can try

Emma, you will need over 10 posts (and a bit of patience) before you get the Private Messaging function
If you click on the member's name at the top of the post, you will see the option to Private Message.
Good luck with the venture, let us know when it is available to see

Thanks for this info, j6uk you can contact me directly via email on emma.fraser@twofour.co.uk

There is a collector in NYC who will definitely have ivory balls - the others I am not sure. if you need to speak to anyone before you hit the 10 posts email me i will pass it on. adr147@hotmail.com

I love to make contact with this collector if you would be happy to pass on my details? Sending you an email now.

You are better off asking this question on azbilliards.com.

Yep some very knowledgeable folk on there about the U.S side of cue sports( and others to be fair).

Thanks for the tip, I have already registered but still waiting for admin approval to post my request on there.

[philip in china]

Be careful if you are taking ivory between states in US. It can be an offence.

[100-uper]

I notice that the Smithsonian claims to have one of the first billiard balls produced by John Hyatt in 1868. You might like to ask for access to this.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collec...ject/nmah_2947