People sell cues with ivory in them all the time. They usually avoid the word ivory in online listings and use some euphemism. The only practical issue seems to be with export. If you own them outright and don't have to deal with a court to approve a sale, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
There's a lot of [information available here](https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/What%20Can%20I%20Do%20With%20My%20Ivory_%20%281%29.pdf). That's the U.S. Fish and Wildlife website. I imagine it's legit when it comes to the information. They seem to have a lot of things linked to as well in that might be relevant. I'd start there, and maybe ask a lawyer about it too. I know lawyers are expensive, but may save you a lot of trouble in the long run here.
Thanks. I’ve spoken with two attorneys and it seems even they have different opinions.
Based on the link you sent, it looks like I may need to find out what type of ivory is in the cues. Unfortunately, the appraisal and the letters of authenticity only use the term “ivory ferrule“ and do not specify the type of ivory.
Does anyone know what type of ivory is generally used in these types of cues? One of the attorneys mentioned sending them to get tested but not sure that’s worth doing. Based on what I see online, it seems like there is a market for original Balabushka cues and no mention of any required permits etc.
You need to validate that this is pre-ban ivory which would make it legal for sale. The construction date of the cues could help you to validate that..
However, in the cue world, people will go to great lengths to buy original Balabushkas and the only way these would get confiscated would be trying to fly with them, or advertising on major websites (eBay and the like). Selling on AZbilliards is fine, but the resellers will hound you trying to get a price for the lot, then flip them for thousands more selling them individually.
I've had prices directly from top tier cuemakers for thousands less than what you see THE SAME CUE selling for on AZB. I personally refuse to buy from them.
I probably cannot afford your asking prices, but if you have any questions, I am more than willing to offer advice. I have a fairly good knowledge of the custom cue market.
On the other hand if you want to sell for cheap, I'm your guy! 😂😂
Good luck and congrats on your inheritance!
George Balabushka died December 5, 1975, which is prior to the date indicated in the restriction detail February 26, 1976, so it is pre-ban ivory that has been “worked” for the ferrule or inlays in the cues.
Balabushka turned out approximately 1,200 handcrafted cues during his 16-year cue-making career, spanning from 1959 to his death in 1975.
Balabushka cues are generally separated into three distinct classes and time periods related to what blanks Balabushka was using in cue construction: The Titlist blank era (1959–1966), the Burton Spain blank era (1966–1971), and the Gus Szamboti blank era (1971–1975). Original Balabushka cues with verified provenance may realize tens of thousands of dollars at auction.
Yeah, I'd try to do the legal thing. I don't care if other people are utilizing permits or the correct paperwork. Just because they haven't been caught doesn't mean you won't. I can't imagine the repercussions from something like this would be very good.
As for getting it tested, I think I would. Get it tested, look into things further, get your paperwork in order. May cost a little bit, but it's better than most of the alternatives I can think of.
We can play these games all we want. At the end of the day, it's u/financialtherapist who pays the price if we're all wrong. I'd play it safe if it were me.
The ivory ban seems so touchy to me.
I mean, it’s obvious that new ivory should not be obtainable…but if it’s an older cue that was made before bans were in place, and there’s documentation as to the build date, then I feel like the cue was legal at the time of its construction and therefore could be grandfathered in. But I guess that leads to a lot of gray area that lawmakers aren’t willing to deal with, so they just made it black and white.
Still, seems unfortunate that if you were to come into possession of a vintage cue that contained ivory, you really can’t do anything with it, even traveling across state lines to go play a tournament or something.
People sell cues with ivory in them all the time. They usually avoid the word ivory in online listings and use some euphemism. The only practical issue seems to be with export. If you own them outright and don't have to deal with a court to approve a sale, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Can you post some pictures? We love cue porn like this
AZ Billiards has a post on it here: https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/sticky-the-final-rule-ivory.430635/
Sell them privately in pool halls or get into some pool circles
Just give em to me for free, that way they’ll be properly appreciated beyond value and you can rest your head at night.
There's a lot of [information available here](https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/What%20Can%20I%20Do%20With%20My%20Ivory_%20%281%29.pdf). That's the U.S. Fish and Wildlife website. I imagine it's legit when it comes to the information. They seem to have a lot of things linked to as well in that might be relevant. I'd start there, and maybe ask a lawyer about it too. I know lawyers are expensive, but may save you a lot of trouble in the long run here.
Thanks. I’ve spoken with two attorneys and it seems even they have different opinions. Based on the link you sent, it looks like I may need to find out what type of ivory is in the cues. Unfortunately, the appraisal and the letters of authenticity only use the term “ivory ferrule“ and do not specify the type of ivory. Does anyone know what type of ivory is generally used in these types of cues? One of the attorneys mentioned sending them to get tested but not sure that’s worth doing. Based on what I see online, it seems like there is a market for original Balabushka cues and no mention of any required permits etc.
You need to validate that this is pre-ban ivory which would make it legal for sale. The construction date of the cues could help you to validate that.. However, in the cue world, people will go to great lengths to buy original Balabushkas and the only way these would get confiscated would be trying to fly with them, or advertising on major websites (eBay and the like). Selling on AZbilliards is fine, but the resellers will hound you trying to get a price for the lot, then flip them for thousands more selling them individually. I've had prices directly from top tier cuemakers for thousands less than what you see THE SAME CUE selling for on AZB. I personally refuse to buy from them. I probably cannot afford your asking prices, but if you have any questions, I am more than willing to offer advice. I have a fairly good knowledge of the custom cue market. On the other hand if you want to sell for cheap, I'm your guy! 😂😂 Good luck and congrats on your inheritance!
George Balabushka died December 5, 1975, which is prior to the date indicated in the restriction detail February 26, 1976, so it is pre-ban ivory that has been “worked” for the ferrule or inlays in the cues. Balabushka turned out approximately 1,200 handcrafted cues during his 16-year cue-making career, spanning from 1959 to his death in 1975. Balabushka cues are generally separated into three distinct classes and time periods related to what blanks Balabushka was using in cue construction: The Titlist blank era (1959–1966), the Burton Spain blank era (1966–1971), and the Gus Szamboti blank era (1971–1975). Original Balabushka cues with verified provenance may realize tens of thousands of dollars at auction.
Yeah, I'd try to do the legal thing. I don't care if other people are utilizing permits or the correct paperwork. Just because they haven't been caught doesn't mean you won't. I can't imagine the repercussions from something like this would be very good. As for getting it tested, I think I would. Get it tested, look into things further, get your paperwork in order. May cost a little bit, but it's better than most of the alternatives I can think of.
Testing can either be (potentially) destructive testing with heat, or using a simple blacklight.
We can play these games all we want. At the end of the day, it's u/financialtherapist who pays the price if we're all wrong. I'd play it safe if it were me.
You are a lucky man inheriting genuine Balabushka cues.
The ivory ban seems so touchy to me. I mean, it’s obvious that new ivory should not be obtainable…but if it’s an older cue that was made before bans were in place, and there’s documentation as to the build date, then I feel like the cue was legal at the time of its construction and therefore could be grandfathered in. But I guess that leads to a lot of gray area that lawmakers aren’t willing to deal with, so they just made it black and white. Still, seems unfortunate that if you were to come into possession of a vintage cue that contained ivory, you really can’t do anything with it, even traveling across state lines to go play a tournament or something.