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Q & A and Talk Column

Chris,

WOW! What a site. I bookmarked you immediately. The first cue I ever bought was a Palmer, second catalogue, Model G. I was USAF, stationed at Griffis AFB in New York, cold long winters so playing pool became a thing to do. I was lucky in that an extremely good player was also

stationed there named Roger. He was very good and influenced many of us to develop and learn. I was addicted to pool at that point, but Roger told me in order to improve, I need a quality cue. Roger showed me his Palmer and Palmer cues he ordered for other players. I went to Elizabeth

NJ in the early 70's with money I scrounged up and ordered that Model G. It was all I could afford at the time but I had to have my own cue.

When I ordered the cue at the Palmer factory, I talked with Mrs. Balner and discussed what I wanted the cue to become. When I received it, I could not believe how beautiful it was and the hit was spectacular. I still have that cue today,it is in excellent condition and still plays as good as it did then. I was fortunate to have purchased that cue way back when. I am attaching a picture of some of my cues and the Palmer is on

the right side.

I am taking a trip to NJ soon and plan on taking that one along, maybe someone will notice it?

Tom K

October 4, 2006 Tom writes....

Tom,

You will be pleased to learn that Mrs. Balner is still alive and well with many fond memories of Palmer cues. Peter went on to found a large chain of video stores, sold them, and retired to Arizona.

I am glad to hear that the Palmer G served you well. By that time, Palmer was able to buy the Titlist blanks in quantity from Brunswick. Your Model G cue is very old school with a Titlist blank and an acrylic window. It looks like it's in great condition too. I have one myself, but haven't seen very many otherwise.

What a beautiful collection. In the picture, from left to right I see you have 3 Gina's, two Tad's (wow, nice Tad's - with an old one), two JossWests, then I can't quite tell what the next one is *, the Palmer G, an old-style ebony and ivory cue by my friend Joe Porper , and a Meucci Original Road Agent.

If you hit New York City, I definitely recommend Amsterdam Billiard. I was there last year and it's a nice, upscale room with a lot of good players.

Thanks for writing!

Chris

* Tom later told me it was a Joss from 1968.

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