Richard Black Cues

Richard Black (RB-PP97) - 1997 custom 1 of 1 “Pendleton Plus” 8 pts. ebony & snakewood, ivory joint, MOP inlays, “like new” condition

Richard Black began making cues in 1974. Completely self-taught, he was inspired by and learned from the cues made by the late, great George Balabushka.

Richard's cues are typically the same length and the same taper as Balabushka used. Most Black cues have the same type of joint and pin, as well as nickel silver joint rings. Four of the cues in Richard Black's brochure were inspired by Balabushka designs. The “Pendleton Plus” debuted in 1993. He has produced approximately 20 of this design over the past 15 years, plus five or six 8-pointers, each incorporating different short point designs.

This unique custom variation of the Pendleton Plus design features four short “points” of snakewood veneered in ebony alternating with the standard four ebony short-spliced points. The forearm is Bird's-eye maple. The four longer points each have five veneers (Richard says he probably used black, walnut, mahogany, rosewood and white in this cue). There are three mother-of-pearl inlays in each ebony point: a notched diamond with a small dot above and below. The butt sleeve is ebony inlaid with four snakewood “razor blade” windows framed in ivory, with mother-of-pearl inlays matching the points. The ringwork at A, B and C consists of snakewood bordered by nickel silver rings, set in black linen phenolic. Each is inlaid with eight mother-of-pearl dots. The black linen phenolic joint collars (D &E) are decorated by nickel silver rings.

Instead of stainless steel, the piloted joint was customized using solid ivory with a 5/16-14 steel pin. It is engraved `9725.' The number signifies that it was the 25th collectible cue Richard made in 1997. It also indicates that the cue was priced (at that time) at least $2500. The numbers were assigned to cues he considered to be collectibles.

The ebony cue butt is protected by a black rubber bumper attached with an inset 3/32 hex screw (no butt cap). The finish on the cue was recently restored by Richard Black and in 100% “like new” condition. The wrap is white with black speck Blue Mountain linen. The cue is hand signed on the forearm “Richard Black October 25, 1997”.

Two new matched 12.8mm shafts with ivory ferrules were made for the cue this year. Both are 3-7/8 oz. with a 10-1/2 inch straight taper and unchalked tips.

A full set of joint protectors is included.

Butt: 15-1/4 oz., 29 inches long. Shaft length: 29-5/8 inches.

Weight: 19-1/8 oz. Length: 58-5/8 inches.

This is an opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind Richard Black cue in 100% condition. Richard now produces fewer than 50 cues each year, concentrating on collector cues that can command $30,000 or more apiece.

PRICE: $2,950 BUY / Contact Us Cash offers only, please.

For more information on Richard Black and photos of another one of his artistic cues, please see the "Wand Workshop" feature in the December, 2007 Billiards Digest.