Martin, Harvey

Harvey Martin 1965 Bird's-Eye Maple, 3 shafts, with original GivenNameMartin case (HM-65CS).

Harvey Martin made cues from the 1920's until 1984, primarily in Los Angeles. He was the first custom cuemaker, tailoring each cue to the individual customer. Martin would observe each client's stance, stroke and grip position, take measurements, and then construct the cue using the finest wood available. Most of his designs were simple, and bird's-eye maple was his wood of choice for forearms and butt sleeves. Martin was also known for his case making. His leather tube-style creations are as sought-after as are his cues among collectors. Martin's innovations in construction technique and decades of quality cuemaking earned him a spot in the American Cuemaker's Association “Hall of Fame.”

The second (current) owner of the cue won it in a pool game in the late 60's. `Fez' Kasem, a road player, traveled with Cowboy Jimmy Moore. Fez was living in West Covina, Calif. at the time, and later moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico. He was very fond of the cue, and etched his name and both addresses in the cue butt. It appears that the butt sleeve was lacquered some time ago. Although the butt sleeve bears these marks, the rest of the cue - forearm, wrap, ivory joint and butt cap, and shafts - are otherwise in very good original condition.

This 1965 cue is in the classic “Martin style”, solid bird's-eye maple forearm with a two-color stain to highlight the figuring, and the original oil finish. The matching bird's-eye butt sleeve has Martin's trademark brown and black fibre rings from that era above an ivory butt cap. The rings are stamped: “B.S. MARTIN.CUE L.A. CAL. 9.17.65.” The flat-faced ivory joint has a 3/8 inch aluminum joint screw. The smooth, dark brown leather wrap has all its original luster, and is perfect excepting two `dings.' A rounded black rubber bumper protects the rare ivory butt cap. (Most bird's-eye Martin cues have white Delrin butt caps.)

(3) original shafts with ivory ferrules and brown linen shaft collars, stamped with the shaft number and the original owner's initials. All three shafts show various degrees of play and are 29-1/2 inches long:

`B S 1' (12.6mm, 4 oz.), very clean and has a slight roll;

`B S 2' (12mm, 4 oz.), dead straight and clean with light chalk staining towards the joint end;

`B S 3' (12.6mm, 3-7/8 oz.), slight roll and moderate chalk stain.

The butt is straight, weighs 15-3/8 oz., and is 28-1/4 inches in length.

Weight: 19-1/4 to 19-3/8 oz. (depending on shaft used). Length: 57-3/4 inches.

The cue comes with its original Martin light brown alligator case (very rare), stamped inside: `MARTIN CUES & CASES, L.A. CAL'. The case alone is worth $1,250+ according to The Blue Book of Pool Cues, 3rd Edition.

PRICE: $4,500 BUY / Contact Us