Palmer Cues - P7-40 (Detail)

Palmer (P7-40) - 1st catalog 'Original by Palmer' c. 1968-69, Model 7 Titlist blank

Palmer Custom Cues was a family business founded in 1964 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, by Eugene Balner in partnership with his son, Peter. Eugene Balner had previously worked with Frank Paradise, and the Paradise design influence can be seen in details such as the clear plastic window in the butt sleeve of many of their cues, which protected the Palmer label. After her husband passed away in 1972, Eugene's wife, Ilona, carried on the business with their son until 1994. The `Palmer' cues being made today overseas have no connection to the original company run by the Balners.

Although these are considered “production” cues, Palmer was able to custom-tailor a cue to the customer's preferences. Often these customized cues had the name of the customer embossed on the label. Palmer also supplied cue parts to many other cuemakers.

This Palmer SnModel #7 cue is a Titlist conversion, and can be dated to the end of the First Catalog era (late 1960's). There were 11 models in this first line. The full-spliced maple forearm has four rosewood points with four colored veneers. The black plastic butt sleeve, used in the late 60's, has black and silver-colored bands above and below window.

Under the plastic window in the butt sleeve is a gold foil label embossed 'Original by Palmer' in black lettering. A steel slot screw attaches the ¾-inch ivory-colored plastic butt cap. As with most early Palmers, there is no rubber bumper. This was during the time when a player tapped the butt of their cue on the wooden floor of the poolroom to acknowledge a good shot by their opponent. The bumper have muted that tradition -- and Eugene Balner believed that bumpers only belonged on cues of lesser quality.

The piloted nickel silver joint has a brass 5/16-18 pin. The black linen joint and shaft collars each have a nickel ring. In the late 1960's, Palmer started using a dark gray pearlized plastic or solid black with a black colored butt sleeve. (Earlier cues almost always had either solid white or white pearlized plastic.)

The original black with white speck linen wrap is Cortland. Palmer developed the product of colored Irish linens with the Cortland Line Company, black with white being the first alternative available to white with green, and it was introduced around this time period.

The finish is original, and in excellent 95% condition.

One original 12.65mm shaft with 7/8-inch micarta ferrule, brass inserts, very clean. It is playable, but has some warping mid-shaft. A set of joint protectors is included.

Length: 57 inches (29-inch butt, 28-inch shaft).

Weight 18-1/8 oz. Butt is 13-3/4 oz. (390g), shaft is 4-3/8 oz. (122g).

PRICE: $1,100 BUY / Contact Us Cash offers only, please.