Joe Davis cue

[anj]

I am looking for info about a cue i was given by my grandfather. I would like to find out its origin, description and value.
My description is limited due to lack of knowledge?!
One piece ,ebony butt and light wood. Black grave stone plate with engraving : Joe Davis,Daily Mirror prize cue.
My Grandad died in the 80,s aged 80+ So cue possibley dates back to the 30,s when he played snooker/billiards.
Can anyone advise me on how to get info I need?
Anj

[Lee Vilenski]

er... I'm not to sure, could try some of the cue manufactures websites..

[Cyril]

I am looking for info about a cue i was given by my grandfather. I would like to find out its origin, description and value.
My description is limited due to lack of knowledge?!
One piece ,ebony butt and light wood. Black grave stone plate with engraving : Joe Davis,Daily Mirror prize cue.
My Grandad died in the 80,s aged 80+ So cue possibley dates back to the 30,s when he played snooker/billiards.
Can anyone advise me on how to get info I need?
Anj

100-uper is your man.

[ADR147]

is there not a number on the plate - it will either be a riley cue if the plate is shaped like a tombstone / bell or a peradon - e-mail me some picture and i will be able to help you. adr147@hotmail.com

[100-uper]

I am looking for info about a cue i was given by my grandfather. I would like to find out its origin, description and value.
My description is limited due to lack of knowledge?!
One piece ,ebony butt and light wood. Black grave stone plate with engraving : Joe Davis,Daily Mirror prize cue.
My Grandad died in the 80,s aged 80+ So cue possibley dates back to the 30,s when he played snooker/billiards.
Can anyone advise me on how to get info I need?
Anj

Cues are not really my "speciality subject" but I do have some information which may be of help.

In the 1930s there were several national newspapers who had columns written by prominent professionals and in conjunction with these, ran weekly competitions for a "Prize Cue". These included the Sunday Express and the News of the World. I wasn't aware that the Daily Mirror also gave out cues, but I know that Joe wrote for them from 1935, so I'm not really surprised by this discovery. I haven't seen any of the Daily Mirror articles, but from examples of others from the period, I would expect them to involve readers sending in a diagram of a spectacular shot, usually a fluke, which they have made or seen. These shots would be analysed by the expert who chose the winner to receive the cue. I have no idea how long Joe wrote for the Daily Mirror but probably no more than three years as in 1938 he was doing essentially the same thing for Billiards & Snooker magazine, who also gave a cue as a prize.

As to value, I would always go to a real expert to get an idea of current prices, and usually refer to Andy Hunter. You would also need to supply some photos so the condition could be taken into consideration. However, I would suggest that this cue might be quite rare. If we assume that Joe Davis was at the Mirror for three years (and it could have been less) and the prize of a single cue was given weekly, a quick calculation comes up with a figure of about 150 examples in existence.

You should try and research the archives of the Daily Mirror for the period I have mentioned. If you could get a copy of the article which won the prize it would certainly be interesting, and give added value. You might even try to reproduce your Granddad's "spectacular fluke"!

[ADR147]

Cues are not really my "speciality subject" but I do have some information which may be of help.

In the 1930s there were several national newspapers who had columns written by prominent professionals and in conjunction with these, ran weekly competitions for a "Prize Cue". These included the Sunday Express and the News of the World. I wasn't aware that the Daily Mirror also gave out cues, but I know that Joe wrote for them from 1935, so I'm not really surprised by this discovery. I haven't seen any of the Daily Mirror articles, but from examples of others from the period, I would expect them to involve readers sending in a diagram of a spectacular shot, usually a fluke, which they have made or seen. These shots would be analysed by the expert who chose the winner to receive the cue. I have no idea how long Joe wrote for the Daily Mirror but probably no more than three years as in 1938 he was doing essentially the same thing for Billiards & Snooker magazine, who also gave a cue as a prize.

As to value, I would always go to a real expert to get an idea of current prices, and usually refer to Andy Hunter. You would also need to supply some photos so the condition could be taken into consideration. However, I would suggest that this cue might be quite rare. If we assume that Joe Davis was at the Mirror for three years (and it could have been less) and the prize of a single cue was given weekly, a quick calculation comes up with a figure of about 150 examples in existence.

You should try and research the archives of the Daily Mirror for the period I have mentioned. If you could get a copy of the article which won the prize it would certainly be interesting, and give added value. You might even try to reproduce your Granddad's "spectacular fluke"!

GOOD POSTING - THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CUE SOUNDS LIKE A MACHINE SPLICED JOE DAVIS SPECIAL CUE, HOWEVER IF ITS HAND SPLICED IT MIGHT BE VERY RARE INDEED.

[anj]

Thankyou
I too found the info relating to Daily mail but not mirror.I phoned the mirror.They couldnt really help although their archive online will be available in a few weeks.
The black plate on the cue has no number or date but the 30's seems the right period.
Thanks again for your info
Anj