Petersen Cues

Craig Petersen - late 1960's Titlist conversion, Cortland wrap, 14 inlays, 2 shafts (CP-T4)

Chicago's North Shore Billiards on Paulina Street started out as a 4-table “back room” in a bowling alley on the 2nd floor. By 1961, owner Bob Cohen had taken out all the bowling lanes and put in thirty-two 4 ½' x 9' tables, two carom billiards, and one 10' snooker table. In the spring of 1965 Craig set up his first shop in a 10'x12' room on the side of North Shore Billiards. Craig had only one simple woodworking lathe; no other machines.

This cue is believed to have been made from one of a dozen top-quality Titlist blanks that were purchased in 1967 by Cohen for Craig from the estate of Herman Rambow, who was the master cue maker at Brunswick Billiards and also made custom conversion cues under his own name for many years in Chicago.

Craig Petersen made cues in several locations in the Chicago area until he passed on in 1992 at the age of 46. He made fewer than 1000 cues over three decades. This is a rare early example in very good all-original condition.

DESCRIPTION:

Circa late 1960's Craig Petersen Titlist conversion custom cue with four full-spliced points in a straight-grain maple forearm. Each prong is inlaid with an ivory colored dot and tipped with an ebony dot inlay. The four veneers are the classic Brunswick-Balke-Collender `Titlist' colors: purple, turquoise blue, mahogany, and maple. The piloted stainless steel joint has a 5/16-14 brass pin, with black linen phenolic joint and shaft collars trimmed with polished steel. The figured hardwood butt sleeve has six dot inlays. The ivory colored butt cap is decorated with a silvery (aluminum?) band veneered in black (no bumper). The original Cortland white with green speck linen wrap is in excellent condition. Finish is the original lacquer, which is in very good condition (some scratches on the butt sleeve). Overall the butt and shafts are in 90-95% condition.

Two original 12.65mm shafts with 7/8-inch ivory ferrules, very clean, with newer backed tips:

Shaft #1: 3.8 oz., 29-1/8 inches;

Shaft #2: 4 oz., 29-3/8 inches.

Weight: 18.8 - 19 oz., depending on shaft used.

Length: 57-5/8 - 57-7/8 inches, depending on shaft used. (Butt is 28-1/2 inches.)

Craig Petersen cues are in great demand by collectors, and this is a rare early example in very nice condition.

PRICE: $3,650. BUY / Contact Us No trade offers, please.