Value of a 30 Year Old Palmer Original Cue
11/7/2018 12:46:46 PM
Value of a 30 Year Old Palmer Original Cue
What is the value of the 30+ year old Original By Palmer cue below?
I am also trying to identify the model.
A friend has loaned me a higher end stick which I shoot better with, so my end game with this Original by Palmer cue is to sell it at something close to "fair market" value.
Value of a 30 Year Old Palmer Original Cue
Replies & Comments
billiardsforum on 11/7/2018 6:45:50 PMI think you've got a Palmer Model 11 "Palmer De Luxe" from the first Palmer Catalog.
From the descriptions:
11 - Palmer De Luxe
Strictly for the player who wants nothing but the best, and is willing to pay for it. Pearl accents are used freely throughout this cue to produce a startling, eye stopping effect against the beautiful African ebony wood. This deLuxe model features two shafts, hand fitted nickle silver joint with pearl accents, full personalization, Irish Linen wrap, and an extremely high gloss finish. Guaranteed - you have never played with, nor have you ever see a finer, more precise cue than this one.
As for how much it is worth, I will leave that for some others to help you with, as I'm not as familiar with the current market for these cues, but at least now you know what you have.
Chopdoc on 11/8/2018 12:34:44 PMValue depends on condition and originality.
Does it have three shafts? All original? Diameters?
Straight?
Am I correct that the wrap is not original?
Definitely need more information.
sergio8ball on 11/9/2018 5:42:23 PM
It's worth about 800$ to 1000$, if it is all original and everything is straight.
I'll trade you a nice Dan Lynch cue for it, that I have only shot with 4 times.
A G Rose on 12/12/2018 9:45:51 AM@Chopdoc,
The shafts - original two as purchased in the Palmer case:
- 13.3 mm Shaft - Straight
- 12.7 mm Shaft - Slightly warped could be straightened
- 10.4 mm purchased from Palmer (sent entire stick) about early 1990's and is initialed BD.
The shafts run from 28.5" to 29.75" shoulder to o/s ferrule shoulder (not tip).
Given the approximate age of the stick when I purchased it, I believe, the wrap is unique to the cue and is original.
There have been many years when I haven't used the stick. I've kept it for the craftsmanship.
If there are other questions I can answer. I'd be happy to.
@Sergio,
The Palmer came with 2 shafts and case, one is (slightly) warped, could be straightened, 12.7 mm, and second 13.3 mm (approx.) and is straight.
In the early 1990's I sent it to Palmer and purchased a new shaft at 10.4 mm (approx.) which is initialed "BD".
I am currently using a Joss cue that works as well as this old man can, so am really hoping to sell it rather than trade for another, but thanks for the offer.
If there is any other info I can provide, I would be happy to do so.
Thanks for your interest and help.
- Chopdoc on 12/12/2018 6:46:54 PM
You say 30 years old? Are you sure it isn't over 50 years old?
There are some variations, the rings, and the "missing" dots near the joint. I am interested to know if this is a true "first catalog cue" or one that was made later. Palmer would make any cue from their earlier catalogs well into the 1980's.
It could be as old as 1964/65, or it could be substantially newer.
I believe they made less than a hundred of the original run for the first catalog. They also made some variations for resale by other companies.
Now, the case is an early case, first catalog. So that is promising. And I believe the earliest Palmer model 11 cues did not have pearl dots below the joint. So that is promising. This may be an early cue. The dots under the joint started some time in 1966.
So... do you know the age of the cue? Did you get it new? You said 30 years. Is it 30 or 50 years old?
Also, is that the original wrap?
- A G Rose on 12/17/2018 4:54:07 PM
@Chopdoc,
As to my Palmer, a short story. In the mid to late 1980's I was playing a little bit of league 8 ball at a billiards hall on N. Central Expwy in Richardson, TX using house cues. I commented on wanting to purchase a cue and one of the fellows said he had a cue for sale. We started talking when he casually said, "it's a Palmer". Then, one of our other players said he'd be interested if I wasn't. I bought the cue and the second fellow said "I'm a Palmer collector and that's a nice stick; come by the house and I'll show them to you". Also, if I wanted to sell it he wanted to buy it. I went by and saw a very nice collection of early Palmer cues.
As well as I can recall, this cue was older but not used much (and not used much while I've owned it). The shaft was already warped when I purchased it. As a youngster I did some woodworking, not related to pool cues, but I believe the shaft can be straightened. IMO).
The wrap has absolutely not been replaced while I have owned it and I believe it is original to the cue. The cue came with the case, butt, and 2 shafts, the one warped in the pics.
I sent it all to Palmer and ordered a replacement shaft at 10.4 mm which is initialed "BD", in pencil, at the ferrule (see photo that was in the late 80's to very early 90's).
The only thing missing is the rubber butt bumper.
It very certainly may be 50 years old.
I do hope this information helps. Let me know if there is more I can add to this.
G.R.
The cue has no bumper. It is a bumper-less cue.
Type79 on 12/18/2018 6:09:36 AMYour cue is a pre-catalog Palmer Model H cue which would mean it was made between 1964-1966.
I don't believe the wrap to be original. The back end has been taken apart as evidenced by the foil which has been cut and reinstalled, obviously to remove the original owner's name. Originally the tape on either side of the gold foil would match. As has been noted, cues from this series never had bumpers.
Unfortunately these Palmer cues with solid forearms and no points haven't been bringing, in my opinion, what they should in the marketplace. They have been averaging $800 in nice condition. The value of this one (which needs a re-wrap and a foil would be similar, and might be less. A collector would pass on it and wait for one not needing any work. Replacement foils are unavailable. Someone who isn't concerned with the foil and wrap might pay ~$800. To a collector, original cases are certainly nice and I value ones that came with my cues when new, but I've never seen a Palmer bring significantly more money because of an original case.
PS I wouldn't be surprised if the Palmer collector you mention was Randy Goettlicher.
- A G Rose on 12/18/2018 3:11:07 PM
@Type79,
It has been about 30 years since having talked to him. Randy. Looking at it in type I believe you are correct that it was indeed Randy Goettlicher. I would not have been able to pull his name up, although I am certain that he was the collector. His home was on a short cul-de-sac in Richardson west of Central Expwy. on the North side of Spring Valley, Beltline, or possibly Arapaho, and East of Coit I think.
Thank you, I appreciate your help both with the recollection and the valuation of the cue. You say the wrap isn't original, and I believe you.
A buyer interested in the cue at a $700 price would have a deal. The cue is fairly clean, though it does have a few small indents. I have inspected the original straight shaft and there is a place near the ferrule where a wood (tree) ring comes up to a taper, about 6", that on one side of the taper it looks as though it could have a .5" crack. Using bright lighting and magnifying glass, I do not believe it is cracked. Though, I can not prove it. (Certainly didn't feel it when shooting with it.) The outside of the case has some nicks and scrapes. If anyone is interested in the cue, please let me know.
Again, thank you for your help.
Would you be interested in trading for two very nice custom Dan Lynch cues? They have only been shot with about 10 times.
- A G Rose on 12/19/2018 10:10:33 AM
@Sergio8ball, Thank you for your offer. It does seem quite fair. Although, at the moment I would prefer to sell this cue for cash so I can keep another that I have on loan.
Value of a 30 Year Old Palmer Original Cue
- Title: Value of a 30 Year Old Palmer Original Cue
- Author: A G Rose (Allan Grayson Rose)
- Published: 11/7/2018 12:46:46 PM
- Last Updated: 11/7/2018 6:18:54 PM
- Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
