I have a dog-earred 1989 20th printing does that count?

I think the only physical thing I still collect are weird graphic novels I see that are <$2.

OP, out of curiosity, are you a serious pool player? What started all this? What was the first set you acquired? Are there a lot of collectors and do they trade/sell?

Ever go into a poolroom and see a fancy or old set of balls in use?

Hello, everyone.

Thank you all so much for keeping the thread alive with such interesting and entertaining contributions, it's wonderful to see other folks' collections and learn a little of your own treasure hunting passions.

ElSapo. Yes, sir, I was a serious pool player thirty something years ago, and also proprietor of a cuemaking factory from 1989 until 2000. I caught the collecting bug even before that, though, as a teenager pestering pub landlords into asking their breweries for branded sets etc.

Sincere thanks for your interest, everyone, it's always much appreciated.

All the best.

I recall the ball that first started my collection, Mr E... it was a Joe Camel branded 8 ball black.

And yes, sir, there are quite a few billiard ball collectors out there. I have a good friend from Fort Worth who probably boasts what I believe to be the world's greatest collection residing in private hands, it truly is quite extraordinary. Some of his sets are valued well into four figures, not that he would ever sell them! I'll ask him to look in here one day, share a few photographs perhaps?

Best wishes.

Ruper,


Where are these pictures and write-ups coming from?

Hello, Didace.

I took the pictures with my cellphone, sir (they're not very good) and wrote those few paragraphs just to add a little historical provenance and interest. I have posted them all up before on a specialist billiard website, but it's all my own words.

Best wishes.

Really enjoying the writeups, particularly your valuations are a nice touch.

I like these:



any idea what they might be worth?

Hello again, Dominic.

That striking set is called Krom Premiere, an online crowdfunding project spearheaded by Belgian designer, Pierre Deveaux, in 2014. Alas, the appeal was unsuccessful and these beautiful balls never made it to market. I actually received an email from Pierre quite recently in which he said the concept was being resurrected and sets would soon be forthcoming.

As it stands I guess there might be a few prototype sets around somewhere, if you found one, sir, my personal appraisal of value would be about $200.

Best wishes.

Man, even when I have no idea what it is I'm looking at, I pick a most expensive set. You can line up a row of shirts, bottles of wine, or, I guess, billiard balls, and I'll invariably pick the most expensive of the lot.

I should be rich.

Had a fair amount of cards/comics about 25 years ago, but getting married and a couple of moves later, I've largely gotten rid of the bulk of both, having kept only some "good stuff" as well as some comic series where I really liked the art and/or the story.

The only thing I'll still actively collect are casino chips, but I don't go to a ton of new places these days. Looking back over those, there are a surprising number of places that no longer exist.

Ruper,


Does it matter if all the balls are from the original set? Can you even tell if one has been replaced? Are there differences between manufacturing runs that are easily descernible?

Very cool. Had no idea there was such a variety of pool balls.

I collect stamps - Originally my wife was good with it, because "at least they don't take up much space" - 30 years and 48 albums later, not so much. OTOH, the collection is worth more than our house.....

MM MD

Didace.

"Does it matter if all the balls are from the original set?"

It is certainly preferable for all the balls to be from the original set, sir, especially so if one is collecting those casted from a phenolic resin and formaldehyde compound (like the Poker Balls in my initial post). The colours can mellow somewhat over time dependant on storage conditions, so any substitute ball might stand out from the rest.

"Can you even tell if one has been replaced?"

Yes, quite often.

"Are there differences between manufacturing runs that are easily discernible?"

Absolutely. Billiard balls are cast from a mould which, after multiple production runs, inevitably deteriorates to the detriment of number clarity, line delineation etc. For this reason, collectors of what are considered 'classic' billiard ball sets will try to find the earliest castings.

Best wishes.

Hobbes.

I can well believe it, sir. I once met an Israeli gentleman who owned a stamp collection valued at more than $2,000,000!

Are there black market balls? Imposters? How do you know its not a fugazi?

Yes, unfortunately there are a few counterfeits around, Steve. An experienced collector wouldn't be fooled, but somebody just starting out might be at risk.

I've seen one or two fake Raschig Turniersatz sets recently.

Best wishes.

Can't spell Turniersatz without "ersatz" IYKWIM

Very true, OT.

Ruper,

Great thread, looking forward to seeing more of your collection!

you can go on a website like upwork.com and cheaply hire someone to write you a script that will go to ebay/craigslist and searches for you, then texts/emails/etc you the results.

Those Guiness balls are absolutely elite and this is a great thread. Thanks OP

Hope you find the ball you are after.