Antique Brunswick Balke Collender Pool Table ID and Valuation

2/8/2023 8:24:38 AM

Antique Brunswick Balke Collender Pool Table ID and Valuation

I need some help to identify an antique Brunswick Balke-Collender pool table and to understand it's potential value.

Could you tell which model it is and possibly how much it is worth?

It is part of an estate in probate.

user1675862675

Antique Brunswick Balke Collender Pool Table ID and Valuation

Replies & Comments

khgibson on 2/8/2023 8:33:14 AM
It is most likely a Brunswick Narragansett pool table model.

Do you have a picture of the patent plate? It is usually under the name plate logo on the head rail. I can see the plate in your second photo, but I can't read it.

That will help narrow down the date.

user1675862675 on 2/9/2023 12:25:03 AM
The patent plate is missing from the pool table.

Is there another place to look?

khgibson on 2/9/2023 10:56:07 AM
No, I can see it in your photo but can't read it.

Mine is a decal that was on the original wood veneer.

billiardsforum on 2/11/2023 10:08:51 AM
Thanks for sharing the photos of this beautiful pool table.

Brunswick Narragansett Pool Table Identification

The Narragansett is another gem-of-a-pool table from Brunswick Balke-Collender, made some time between 1880 to 1911.

This model won Brunswick Balke-Collender Co. the gold medal for excellence at one of the Paris Expositions. I have not been able to find out the year in which this occurred.

Yes, it is either a Brunswick "New Narragansett" pool table (1880-1904) or, more likely, a Brunswick "Narragansett" pool table (1904-1911).

I have been unable to find the different (if any) between the two generations. I suspect that cosmetically, they're nearly identical.

Brunswick Narragansett Pool Table Value

Here's one that's for sale for $1500: Late 1800's Brunswick Narragansett Billiard Table for Sale.

Valuation is very difficult for older pool tables like this because sale prices vary widely depending on where it is located, it's condition, the provenance of the item (if any), and who is looking at any given time.

The longer you have to find the right buyer, the higher price you'll be able to get.

Here are the Brunswick Narragansett technical specs for each generation:
1. The "New Narragansett" technical specs (no photo available for this version, and source catalog year is unknown).
Brunswick "New Narragansett" Pool Table
- Year of Manufacture: 1880 to 1904
- Sizes Available:
  - 8-foot "Home" - 44" x 88" playfield, 3 piece 1" unframed slate, Weight: 1100 lbs
  - 9-foot "Pro" - 50" x 100" playfield, 3 piece 1" unframed slate, Weight: 1300 lbs
  - 10-foot - 56" x 112" playfield, 3 piece 1" unframed slate, Weight: 1600 lbs
- Cushion Rubber: Monarch
In this era of severe and critical taste in house decoration, many turn from the very ornamental to the plainer styles of furniture. To meet this demand we have produced the New Narragansett. The table finds great favor with people whose ideas of correct taste are considered standard. It was this design of table manufactured by us that received the award of first medal for excellence at the Paris Exposition, when in competition with like goods from all parts of the world.

While nothing of a florid character has been attempted in this design, still the table is one that has an inherent beauty peculiar to its own individuality. The clear polished woodwork at the sides and the head and foot of the table is tastefully relieved by vertical moldings at each head block.

It is well to bear in mind that our patented head blocks give unusual solidity and strength to these and all our tables. There are efforts making to copy our designs, but so far the copyists have not been very successful. Still the slight similarity might deceive some, and it would be best, therefore, to ascertain positively before buying that the table is a genuine production of our company. That is the only way to secure a first-class, high-grade billiard table.

Furnished either as a carrom or pool table or both combined. All combination tables have our patent adjustable carrom plugs, with iron fastenings. Stock sizes 4x8, 4 1/2x9, and 5x10.

All tables are fitted with Vermont slate bed from our own quarries, imported Simonis cloth, and the incomparable Monarch cushions.

The legs, besides being joined with wooden dowels, are fastened with a large iron bolt passing through the entire length of the leg to the top of the head block, thus insuring positive solidity.
1. The "Narragansett" marketing excerpt from the 1904 Brunswick Balke Collender Co. Catalog, page 16:
Extensively used in some of the finest clubs, hotels and billiard halls in the United States.

In this era of severe and critical taste in house decoration, many turn from the very ornamental to the plainer styles of furniture. To meet this demand we have produced the Narragansett. The table finds great favor with people whose ideas of correct taste are considered standard. It was the design of table manufactured by us that received the award of first medal for excellence at the Paris Exposition, when in competition with like goods from all parts of the world. While nothing of a florid character has been attempted in this design, still the table is one which has an inherent beauty peculiar to its own individuality. The clear polished woodwork of the sides and the head and foot of the table is tastefully relieved by vertical moldings at each head block.

The legs, besides being jointed with wooden dowels, are fastened with a long iron bolt passing through the entire length of the leg to the top of the head block, thus insuring positive solidity. All tables are fitted with Vermont slate beds from our own quarries, imported Simonis cloth and the incomparable patent Monarch cushions.
1. The "Narragansett" pool table from the 1906 Brunswick pool table catalog:
1. The "Narragansett" technical specs from the 1908-1909 Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. catalog, page 16:
Brunswick "Narragansett" Pool Table
- Year of Manufacture: 1904 to 1911
- Sizes Available:
  - 8-foot "Home" - 44" x 88" playfield, 3 piece 1" unframed slate, Weight: 1100 lbs
  - 9-foot "Pro" - 50" x 100" playfield, 3 piece 1" unframed slate, Weight: 1300 lbs
  - 10-foot - 56" x 112" playfield, 3 piece 1" unframed slate, Weight: 1600 lbs
- Cushion Rubber: Monarch
- Color Options: Golden Oak
A standard design which secured gold medal award at the Paris Exposition. Simple, but a perfect model.

Manufactured under 18 construction patents awarded from 1892 to 1905.

Furnished only in Quarter Sawed Golden Oak, in billiard, pool or combination. The construction is strictly first quality. The legs are secured to the framework with wooden dowels, reinforced with long iron bolts passing through the entire length of the leg to the top of the head-block, thus obtaining positive solidity.

The slate bed is best quality Vermont one inch thick, the sections being joined with brass dowels and sockets, entirely eliminating screw holes in the slate bed--the method used in tables by other manufacture.

The cushions are the celebrated quick acting Monarch, guaranteed the most perfect angle cushion in the world. Used by all professional players in America and Europe.

The cushion rails are of extra heavy construction and firmly bolted to the slate bed. The cushion rail tops are veneered with rosewood, which does not change color, cannot be easily disfigured and does not have the objectionable features of a polished surface.

This design will never become commonplace. Its lasting popularity is in its simplicity and perfect proportions. It has been said that the fraction of an inch either way in the length or Cleopatra's nose would have changed the destiny of empires. Correct proportion is the first essential in all things pleasing to the eye regardless of whether it be a woman's face or an article of furniture. As in speech, all rules must give way to euphony, so it is that correct proportion holds the place supreme in all shapes that the eye favors. This rule obtains to a marked degree in the Narragansett billiard table. We attribute to the fact that our steadfastly adhering to the exact lines of the original model the favor which this table has held for many years.