SteveStanley
08-13-2007, 02:05 AM
I was fascinated with billiards and pool during my high school and college years near Chicago, but never a very good player. I remember ditching school and taking the Rock Island to LaSalle St. Station then up to Bensingers on Randolph. There was a great magic store next door.
Eventually I found my way to Rambow’s workshop and display room on North Wabash. He was very gracious and enjoyed telling me and my friend Richard about the many cue sticks he had in his cabinets and was in the process of making. He had an assistant who complained that little work was done as Mr. Rambow spent so much time talking. He was very old, probably over eighty, and simply did as he choose.
He was particularly proud of the picture he had of Jackie Gleason and Paul Newman in his shop when they visited to have cue sticks made for the movie, The Hustler. I can’t remember if Willie Mosconi was in the photo, but he had visited the shop with Newman and Gleason.
Eventually I got together enough money to have my own cue made by Mr. Rambow in 1964. I visited several times during the four months required to have the cue made. I think I paid sixty two dollars. He was kind enough to include an ivory base made from an old billiard ball at no charge. The cue had my name and his signature on it. I can’t remember if I choose Steve Stanley or Stephen Stanley. Unfortunately, it was soon stolen from my locker at the Northern Illinois University student center.
It's got to be out there someware. My email is carioca@moxmox.com
Thanks.
Eventually I found my way to Rambow’s workshop and display room on North Wabash. He was very gracious and enjoyed telling me and my friend Richard about the many cue sticks he had in his cabinets and was in the process of making. He had an assistant who complained that little work was done as Mr. Rambow spent so much time talking. He was very old, probably over eighty, and simply did as he choose.
He was particularly proud of the picture he had of Jackie Gleason and Paul Newman in his shop when they visited to have cue sticks made for the movie, The Hustler. I can’t remember if Willie Mosconi was in the photo, but he had visited the shop with Newman and Gleason.
Eventually I got together enough money to have my own cue made by Mr. Rambow in 1964. I visited several times during the four months required to have the cue made. I think I paid sixty two dollars. He was kind enough to include an ivory base made from an old billiard ball at no charge. The cue had my name and his signature on it. I can’t remember if I choose Steve Stanley or Stephen Stanley. Unfortunately, it was soon stolen from my locker at the Northern Illinois University student center.
It's got to be out there someware. My email is carioca@moxmox.com
Thanks.