| In this article we'll focus on the last piece of billiard | | | | tournaments across the land. |
| improvements which is the cue itself. | | | | Since Finck, many other famous cue makers came |
| Cue construction, even in the early days, was more an | | | | onto the scene including Britner, Rambow, Paradise, |
| art than a science. Billiard cues, even going back to the | | | | Balner, Martin, Szamboti and Balabushka. All of these |
| early maces, were probably the most artistic of all the | | | | companies, even today, make cues that are |
| items associated with the game itself. Early maces | | | | considered a symbol of excellence and are valued as |
| were hand carved ivory and inlaid jewels and gold. | | | | true treasures. |
| They were probably worth as much as the whole | | | | There are many variations in the cues that are made. |
| table itself. | | | | They are dictated by the game itself. For example, |
| With the advances made in industry in the 1800s cues | | | | billiard cues are stiffer than pool cues because billiard |
| were not only made beautifully but they could now be | | | | balls are heavier than pool balls. Other variations include |
| mass produced in a variety of styles. Probably the | | | | the type of wood that is used which will determine |
| greatest cue manufacturer of the era was B. Finck | | | | how light or heavy the cue itself is, as some prefer a |
| Company. It was said that their cues in both beauty | | | | heavier cue to a lighter one. |
| and quality was unequalled by anyone. Their cues | | | | A good part of the reason that billiard cues were able |
| were used by the finest players in Europe. Eventually | | | | to be made so well and attractive was the art of |
| they became the largest cue manufacturer on the | | | | marquetry, which is the art of making designs or |
| continent. | | | | pictures with thin pieces of wood, shell or other |
| By 1879 Finck had more than 160 cues in its catalogue. | | | | materials. This art has been a part of billiard cue |
| They made both one and two piece cues in many | | | | making almost right from the beginning. Floral, |
| designs and styles. They even made cues that were | | | | geometric or other inlaid designs have greatly added to |
| designed for specific games and for all levels of | | | | the beauty of tables and cues. Precious gems and |
| society, from the lowest commoner to the highest in | | | | metals have also been used in this art. Even the art of |
| royalty. They also specialized in what were called | | | | "finishing," which Stradavari used on his violins, was also |
| "cues for kings." These cues were extremely | | | | used on cues and tables. |
| expensive, made with inlaid gold and very rare gems. | | | | The truth is, one of the main reasons for billiards |
| Most of the cues were actually purchased by the | | | | popularity is the beauty of the game pieces itself. |
| kings as more of a status symbol and were very | | | | In our last article in this series we're going to show how |
| rarely used in actual play. Finck also created custom | | | | billiards made its way to America. |
| cues which were awarded as prizes in various | | | | |