Balabushka - GB65-JM

George Balabushka - Jimmy Mataya's 1965 Titlist conversion, plastic rings, original shafts, used in Baltimore Bullet & Color of Money (GB65-JM)

This Balabushka has a very special history, in addition to being an attractive cue. It is a 1965 Titlist conversion with a green marbleized plastic butt sleeve and was owned for many years by pro player Jimmy Mataya. In a handwritten note on the back of his business card, Mataya stated, ”Oldest active Balabushka there is! Made in `65' I've owned it since late '69. Won 2 World Titles with it, and beat every top player with it. I used it in the movies Baltimore Bullet and Color of Money.” The most recent owner thinks he got it in 1987 or '88.

When George Balabushka began making cues in 1959, his first cues were adaptations of the Brunswick Titlists, a familiar starting point for many cuemakers. He particularly enjoyed working with the Titlist blanks, as they had a full splice and did not require a full cut between the wrap and forearm. In the early sixties, George experimented with some of the plastic rings and marbleized plastic popular at the time. George continued to use Titlist blanks off and on throughout his career.

According to Jimmy Mataya, this cue was made in 1965. This makes sense when one considers the materials used. The style and materials of the butt sleeve are similar to known examples, which George is known to have made in the early-to-mid 60's. From 1959 to around 1964, solid black linen phenolic joint collars were used. Sometime in 1965 George started adding a nickel silver ring.

Description:

Straight-grain maple forearm from a Brunswick Titlist blank: four full-spliced rosewood points with purple, aqua blue, brown and natural maple veneers. The butt sleeve is composed of green marbleized plastic bordered by thick rings of ivory colored plastic. There is a rosewood B-ring below the wrap. Black butt cap with a brown Brunswick rubber bumper secured with an Allen screw (the standard Balabushka bumper). The piloted brass joint has a 5/16-14 stainless steel joint pin; black linen phenolic joint and shaft collars. Wrap is a light green and white speck Irish linen, likely replaced when the cue was refinished c. early 1980's. The finish is in 95% condition.

The cue is sound; there are no rattles, and both the butt and shafts are dead-straight.

Two original 13 mm shafts with brass inserts, plus two matching shafts made by Richard Black in 1992. The original shafts are both played, with some chalk staining. The Richard Black shafts are immaculate.

Shaft #1 (original) 12.7mm, 3.9 oz., 28-7/8 inches, ivory ferrule, Le Pro tip. There is a scratch in the shaft just below the ferrule, and a small (1”) crack two inches below ferrule.

Shaft #2 (original) 12.5mm, 3.5 oz., 29 inches, Westinghouse Micarta ferrule, Le Pro tip. No scratches, dings or dents.

Shaft #3 (R. Black) 12.75mm, 3.9 oz., 29 inches, ivory ferrule backed with black fibre pads, Le Pro tip; very light play, immaculate.

Shaft #4 (R. Black) 12.75mm, 3.8 oz., 29 inches, ivory ferrule backed with black fibre pads, Le Pro tip; light play, very clean.

Cue weight is 18 to 18.4 ounces, depending on shaft used. The butt weighs 14-1/2 oz.

Overall length of the cue is 57-1/8 to 57-1/4 inches, depending on shaft used; butt length is 28-1/4 inches.

This is an attractive cue made by one of the best-known and most important cue makers who ever lived. In addition, it was owned and played with for many years by a top player who used it in two of the notable pool movies of the 20th century. It would be an asset to any serious collection.

The cue will come with a Letter of Authenticity as well as the Jimmy Mataya business card and a letter from Richard Black.

PRICE: $15,900 SOLD

You can read more about George Balabushka and see photos of more of his cues in the feature story "Balabushka: One of a Kind" in the April 2004 issue of Billiards Digest.