Walter Lindrum Cues

Walter Lindrum Cues
By Andy Hunter

The name of Walter Lindrum is probably the best known in billiards, and there are at least eight distinctly different cues which bear this name. Unless otherwise referenced, the values relate to hand-spliced examples.

Picture Badges

I know of two picture badge cues. The first of these carries a head and shoulders portrait of Walter together with his signature. The example I have seen was ash, with a plain ebony butt. This would have a current value of £300.

The other picture badge depicts Walter and Clark McConachy in profile, facing each other. This badge exists in at least two different sizes and also has slightly differing backgrounds. The butt is rosewood and ebony, and I have only ever seen this cue with an ash shaft. It’s value would be in the region of £300.

Record Break Badges

The first badge commemorates Lindrum’s record break of 3,262 completed on 7th December 1929 at the conclusion of a two week match against Willie Smith in London. Also bearing Lindrum’s signature, the badges’ for both record break cues are identically styled (as illustrated) with just the details being changed. Examples have only been seen with an ash shaft and a plain ebony butt, and a value of £150-200 can be expected.

Lindrum’s second “record break” cue commemorates his break of 4,137 made over 19th-20th January 1932. This was Lindrum’s highest recorded break in competitive play, and a good example would be worth about £150.

There is also a machine spliced cue with a similar badge, except that the inscription is read holding the cue vertically, rather than being side-on. This cue has a front veneer, while the hand-spliced versions are plain ebony. A value of between £70-80 can be expected for an ash shafted example, but there is a much rarer pear shafted version, which would bring between £140-160.

Special Cue

The Walter Lindrum “Special Cue” has two ebony and two rosewood splices. This cue does not have a badge, the name and inscription being Walter Lindrum’s “Special” Cue embossed into the wood, and filled with golf leaf. It’s value would be £120-140.

Monarch Cue

Although not specifically mentioning Walter, it is believed that the “Lindrum Monarch Cue” was produced to market his name rather than those of his brother Fred or nephew Horace. The cue has a rosewood and ebony butt, and the badge is black with gold lettering. It’s value would be approximately £150.

The value of all these cues will vary depending upon its rarity and condition. With all else being equal, picture badges are always the most expensive.

Most of the cues in the Walter Lindrum range were made by Peradon & Co who manufactured a vast range of cues exclusively for the billiard trade. As a result there may also be a transfer, or additional badge which is added by the retailer prior to sale. These are known to include Willie Holt (Burnley), Smith & Nelson, Thurston’s and E. A. Clare & Son.

Please remember that these articles were taken directly from text supplied to “The Amateur Billiard Player” magazine in 2001 to 2003, therefore prices quoted reflect this time period.

Walter Lindrum cue images