To start a worthwhile cue collection is not as difficult as you might think.

Some of the more modern cues are quite attractive and will no doubt appreciate in value over the coming years.

If you set a budget per cue of under a hundred pounds you may be lucky enough to get a hold of almost any machine-spliced cue that has ever been produced along with many hand-spliced cues as well.

Many people have started by getting a hold of cues such as the Joe Davis 147 cue. A machine-spliced version exists with a maple front splice and a badge that recreates his signature along with the break in question, this break was made in 1955 so these cues will soon be fifty years old.

Other cues that will bring greater prices in the future include the two Horace Lindrum machine-spliced cues with a picture badge. These cues were made in the forties and fifties and carry two distinct images on their badges of Horace Lindrum himself along with a representation of his signature above the picture.

Hand-spliced versions of these cues are already growing in desirability and beginning to be purchased by serious collectors.

Many companies that produced cues in the past have ceased trading. Such firms as Smith and Nelson, Burroughes and Watts, Chas Parker, Hixon, and Murton will not of course be producing any more cues and so their previous catalogue of cues may soon begin to increase in value.

Sadly many newer firms no longer exist: such as Hunt and O’Byrne and Aeon, it is not beyond possibility that such cues as the PBS147S made famous by James Wattana and the so called Black plate cue may become sought after in the coming years.

There was even a coronation cue brought out in 1953 that carried a royal purple flash in honour of the present Queen’s coronation. This cue too may start to soar in price as we approach the Golden Jubilee.

Each year John Parris makes a one off special edition cue to be raffled for charity, at the World Snooker Championship. As these cues are made in such short supply and due to them having a dated badge I feel sure that they will become extremely desirable in the very near future.

You may be using a future collector’s item without realising it? Do you use a Sheradon or a Riley "Burwat Champion"? If so treat it well, when your playing days are at an end it may well pay for a holiday in the sun for you?

Autographs are becoming big business in the United States of America so if you have a copy of a top players book you might consider approaching him to sign the tome, perhaps when your favourite professional is a middle aged armchair pundit you could sell the book and make quite a deal?

This piece is meant to be in lighter vein to quote Riso Levi but check out your loft, who knows what future treasures are up there gathering dust? Happy Hunting.

David Smith