Item 174
Antique B. Finck (Berlin) Billiard Cue Catalog (c.1839)
This is an extraordinary and historically significant fold-out catalog from B. Finck of Berlin, Germany. Dating back to approximately 1839, this document is a rare survivor from the early 19th-century European billiard trade, offering a comprehensive look at cue manufacturing before the American industry reached its zenith.
Historical Significance
B. Finck was a premier Prussian manufacturer, and this catalog serves as a vital primary source for billiard historians. It documents the transition of the billiard cue from a simple tapered shaft into a highly decorative piece of sporting equipment.
Catalog Features
Format: Rare fold-out design, engineered to display an expansive collection in a single viewing.
Content: Illustrates a complete line of over 100 distinct billiard cues.
Visual Detail: Features intricate renderings of cue designs, including early splice patterns and handle ornamentations available to European players during the mid-1800s.
Origin: Berlin, Germany—the heart of continental billiard innovation during this era.
Condition & Collectibility
Finding paper ephemera from the 1830s in any condition is a feat; finding a complete manufacturer’s catalog showing a full product line is nearly unheard of. The catalog provides invaluable data on early weight, balance, and aesthetic preferences that influenced cue makers for the next century.
This piece is a museum-grade addition to any library of billiard history or a collection focused on the evolution of 19th-century sporting goods.
