As you know I never write about pool, but I just had to show you this inspiring installation.
The table is a fully restored art deco style Brunswick-Balke-Collender Centennial, first produced in 1945 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Brunswick. (To give you an idea just how big billiards used to be, in 1909 Brunswick was the largest single consumer of raw hardwood in the world). Materially the Centennial also celebrates the end of WWII, because the fluting is aluminum and the table was produced just as wartime restrictions on civilian use of aluminum for commercial purposes ended. The Centennial was manufactured until 1964.
Stylistically, the Centennial reminds me somewhat of the long-lived, art-deco-inspired EMD F- and E-series locomotives, some of which (not this one) had fluted metal panels on their sides.
The owner couldn't find a light fixture to match, so he made his own, from an unfinished blank provided by Diamond Billiard Products. Complete with custom metal castings.
Believe it or not, the pictures come from a "for sale" ad (wish I could find the link but I've lost track). The owner was downsizing and moving to Florida and wasn't going to have room for a table in his new place. Along with the equally astonishing cue stand (not shown), that lucky buyer sure made a unique score!
Mike
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