VINTAGE JOSSWEST
BY BILL STROUD
BICENTENNIAL CUE - 1976
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If you are a collector ... especially a Josswest collector, here is a rare one that might be difficult to pass up. Bill made only three of these cues, back in 1976, to help celebrate the nation's Bicentennial, 1776-1976.
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It's also rare because of the extensive use of colored veneers to "paint" a picture, in this case, of the American flag. At this point, Bill was still doing pantagraph work, and most of this inlay work by hand. I can just imagine Bill slaving over a work table with his magnifying glass and exacto knife doing the final fits and trims. This cue represents an historic phase in the long and storied career of Bill Stroud and his Josswest cues. (This cue came from a private collection and has been played, but in good condition.)
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This is a visually striking cue. The red, white and blue motif work well. The veneers stand out and create a bright, colorful stick.
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Keep in mind this was an early Stroud cue when he was doing his inlay work with a pantagraph and by hand. When you look at the flags in the butt cap, you quickly get a feel for how much work he put in this cue. You get the feeling he was really challenging himself.
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I really like the red, white and blue ringwork he uses below and above the butt sleeve and above the wrap.
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As he liked to do at the time, he lightly stained the maple nose to accentuate the tone and grain of the wood.
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Also typical of the period in which this cue was built, he used the pointed rectangle inlay with small bars protruding from each end ... his favorite inlay pattern at the time. He began using it when he was still with Joss Cues, and really used it a lot through his early years on his own.
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All in all, just a really pretty cue. Stroud was a master at integrating all the different features in a design so that the whole cue came together at the end.
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Look really closely at the flag. The layers of veneer in red and white (natural) making up the stripes are obvious. But when you look more closely at the blue background for the "stars" (small ivory dots) you can seen that is also made up of very thing layers of blue veneer. He could have easily inlaid one solid piece of blue dyed wood instead. It would have been much easier, but it shows how much he thought of this cue.
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Because this stick was built to celebrate the Bicentennial, we know it was built in 1976, possibly with some of the work a bit earlier, perhaps in 1975. And of course, the JW logo in the butt cap, with the sideways "W" also confirms that it was made between 1972-78.
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The black butt cap on this cue is also a bit rare. Bill made very few cues with the black (phenolic) butt cap. At the joint, he uses a simple white dash ring on the cue and one the ring collars of the shafts.
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Each of the four ebony points is inlaid with a red veneer bar ending with an ivory dot.
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The black phenolic butt cap also makes this cue a bit rare. Bill made very few cues with the black butt cap.
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| Also typical of the time, the wrap on this cue is Cortland. Cortland is actually a fine fishing line that was the top choice of most cue makers at that time. You seldom see it today, as it is no longer being made. (Most cue makers who have been around for awhile have a roll or two sitting around their shop that they are saving for a few special cues down the road.)
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This cue is built with a flat faced ivory joint with a 3/8 X 10 steel pin. It comes with the two original maple shafts (about 12.7mm) with matching ringwork, ivory ferrules and probably LePro tips. It weighs 20.0 ounces, and is 57-1/2 inches long.
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This cue is pre-owned, but has been in a private collection for more than 30 years. It has been played, but is in good condition. The shafts shows signs of play (lightly ingrained chalk) but have no dents or dings. The butt is also in good condition, with no noticeable dents, dents or scratches, and the finish is good, only showing signs of age and perfectly acceptable for a cue that is nearly 50 years old. Everything is straight.
PRICE: $6500 PLUS SHIPPING
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