(Item 252)
Historical Context: H.W. Collender Co.
Hugh W. Collender was one of the titans of the billiard industry. His company eventually merged with Phelan & Braun to form Phelan & Collender, which later became part of the legendary Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company.
The Patent: 1868 was a pivotal year for billiards. Before this era, cue tips were often rudimentary. A specialized tool from Collender shows the professionalization of the game—moving from a casual pastime to a sport requiring precision maintenance.
The Function: In the mid-19th century, tips were often glued with inconsistent adhesives. This tool was designed to cleanly shear or scrape off the old leather without damaging the wooden shaft or the (likely) ivory ferrule.
Item Profile:
| Feature | Detail | Significance |
| Maker | H.W. Collender Co. | Precursor to the modern Brunswick empire. |
| Patent Date | May 5, 1868 | Firmly establishes it as a 157-year-old artifact. |
| Function | Tip Removal Tool | Represents the “mechanization” of cue maintenance. |
| Rarity | Exceptional | Many of these utility tools were used until they broke and then discarded. |
Collector’s Note
The fact that this tool has survived for over a century and a half is remarkable. Most “consumable” tools from the 1860s—things used daily in a billiard hall—suffered from heavy wear and tear.
To have a tool with a confirmed patent date of May 5th, 1868, makes this a true relic of the Reconstruction era in America.
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