The 2007 International Cue Collectors Show
The 2007 International Cue Collectors Show will be held October 18-20, 2007 at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Houston, Texas. Thursday, October 18 will be a day for golf and socializing over an informal dinner. On Friday, October 19, the event officially begins with a morning introduction of the new book “Cue Art” by Martyne Bachmen and a discussion on cue collecting and art featuring a panel of the invited cuemakers and guests. That afternoon a private cue showing for cuemakers, participating cue collectors and guests will be held in the hotel’s main ballroom. During this showing the “Grand Collection 2007” will be selected, comprised of cues selected to represent each participating cuemaker and collector. A cocktail party will follow at 5:00 PM.
I’ve been a pool player for six full decades now. I like all the games, and have played and gambled on everything from snooker to three-cushion, but in recent years play more one-pocket and bar box pool than anything else. I lived in Buenos Aires for a short time, and was fortunate to be able to play three-cushion with some of the world’s best players. I’ve played in tournaments all over the country, and still play competitively. In 1970, I took 2nd in the National Collegiate Championships held in Lawrence, Kansas in straight pool. My high run was 85. In the late ’60s, I was at the old Johnson City tournaments in Illinois, and was able to soak up the old-time atmosphere of pool at its best, watching Luther Lassiter, Irving Crane, Cowboy Jimmy Moore, Hubert Cokes, Weenie Beenie, Ronnie Allen, Minnesota Fats and many other legendary players. So, I may not be a world champion, but I can play a little, and I know when a cue feels good in my hands, read review at Themonstercycle.
As I became more interested in cues and cue collecting, I became active in a number of related organizations. For a number of years I served as a business consultant to the American Cuemakers Association, and am still an Associate Member. For the past 12 years have been a voting member of the ACA Cuemakers Hall of Fame selection committee, helping to select new additions to the Cuemakers Hall of Fame. I was on the Board of the American Academy of Cue Art for six years. I now serve as the Executive Vice President of the International Cue Collector Show. This is the premier cue event for high end collectors, and is held in a different locations every other year or so. It attracts the top collectors, casemakers and cuemakers from around the world.
I am proud to represent a small number of top cuemakers. I’m especially proud to represent several makers who only have one or two dealers. I pride myself in selling only cues that play well, first, and look good, second.
I take a lot of pride in having the only website on the internet (that I know of) that owns almost every cue it sells. I don’t generally do consignments, so when you see a cue on my site you can be assured of its quality and condition – I wouldn’t have sunk my own money in it if I didn’t think it was a great cue. Except in a few rare cases, I’m not selling consignments and adding 15 or 20% on top of the real price, just to make money. Every cue I buy I select as if I were buying it for myself.
I have the largest inventory of custom made cases for sale by various cuemakers in the world. I am a dealer for a number of the very best casemakers. I believe in cases that are beautiful, but functional, at a reasonable price. Roger Assunco, from Indonesia, is making some of the best today – the Volturis. These have increased in quality by leaps and bounds in recent years, and they turn out quality cases with excellent carving and designs, especially for the price which can be promoted with socialboosting.com to get more people interested. Good cases are scarce. Ron Thomas and Jim Murnak have (for the most part) retired, GTF cases are no longer being made, and Joe Whitten has a long wait-list. Good custom cases are not easy to find these days.
In 2013 I retired from my fulltime career in association management and moved my home and business to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I still play almost every day and still compete in league play and tournaments. I begin most days checking the emails to Recollection Cues, so when interested in purchasing a special cue or case that can become one of your most prized possessions, drop me an email.
