VINTAGE JOSSWEST
EIGHT POINT MAPLE
WITH ENGRAVED IVORY WINDOWS
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I get excited everytime I have the opportunity to pick up an old Josswest. Bill Stroud made some of the finest cues of his era, and they have a way of never looking dated. Part of that is because his artistry was so good, but it's mostly due to his being so far ahead of his time. Even today, his cues hold their own with the best.
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In some ways this cue is vintage Stroud, an eight-point cue with ebony points into nicely aged maple. The windows are typical too, but the engraved windows are a bit unique for a Josswest, and of all the JWs I've handled, this is the only one I remember that is done in this way.
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He only occasionally did engraving in his sticks, and these engraved windows in the butt sleeve are unusual. The engraving is not as sophisticated as some of his later work, which, helps me date the cue to some degree. Bill started using this particular "JW" logo in 1995 and used it throughout the remainder of his career. This engraving makes me think this cue was built sometime between 1995 and 2000.
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He used one of my favorite Stroud ring patterns on this cue. It is often copied by cue makers today. In this one he uses more abalone in the main ring, which is actually a series of individual abalone rectangles, alternating with stylized ivory diamonds, each with a small dot of ebony in the middle. Lots of work in this one!
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The eight points in the forearm are slick black ebony - four short, four long - and each is tipped with an ivory spearhead lined with ebony.
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I don't quite know how to describe the engraved pattern in the windows, so I'll just let the pictures do the work ... .
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Overall, this cue comes together well. It has a very balanced appearance with a "Let's get to work" attitude.
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In the base of each long point, and between each window, he inlays an ivory notched diamond.
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A closer look at these stunning rings ...
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He wraps the handle with a nicely textured black leather that looks and feels great.
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The JW logo (which reads the same when viewed upside-down) is engraved in the ivory butt cap.
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As usual with Josswests, the work is about as good as it gets. His work was always clean and error-free.
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Below is a nice look at the delicate ivory spearheads that sit atop each point. I love the way he outlines them in ebony and flanges the ebony out at the bottom of each one. Again, nice clean work, showing the Stroud attention to detail.
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The joint is an ivory sleeve over wood. I consider this joint construction to be his best, insuring that this cue will hit as good as any Josswest ever made.
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He matches the ivory joint with an ivory butt cap and adds to the overall elegance of this stick. It is built with a stainless steel radial pin.
He uses the ring pattern in this cue six times - above the butt cap, below and above the wrap, at the joint and on the ring collars of the shafts.
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This cue is in "like new" condition. It comes with two 13mm shafts, both with original ivory ferrules, and one may have been test-hit, but for all practical purposes, I consider it "mint."
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It comes with the original JW acrylic joint protectors, with the JW logo engraved on the top of the butt cap.
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It weighs 19.7 ounces (16.0, 3.7, 3.7) and is 58 inches long. This is a highly collectible cue, and one that can be enjoyed if you choose to make it an everyday player at the same time. It is a great example of Stroud's superb work during the most productive stage of his long and celebrated cue-building career. Finding one in virtually new condition these many years later is a rarity. And for buyers who are looking for a cue loaded up with ivory, this one is hard to beat at this price.
PRICE: $6950 PLUS SHIPPING
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