[Geo]

The date is finally near. Sotheby's in NY will be auctioning off one of the most rare and desireable "presentation" cues ever. This Paradise cue was a gift from Willie Mosconi to Mickey Mantle. A trifecta of masters all rolled into one item!
AUCTION
Sale Name: Important Sports Memorabilia & Cards
Sale Date: 24 Jun 06 10:15 AM
Sale Number: N08178

LOT 238
POOL CUE GIVEN TO MICKEY MANTLE BY WILLIE MOSCONI

[Leftoverchinese]

My my, that should fetch a stunning price. Will you update us on what she goes for?

[Demondrew]

"DESCRIPTION

Mickey Mantle was best known, of course, for the long shots that he sent over fences while Willie Mosconi was famous for his long strings of billiards shots. They are forever tied by the date of April 17th. On that date in 1953, Mantle launched a monster 565 foot home run in Washington D.C.'s Griffith Stadium. Three years later on April 17th, Mosconi sank 150 consecutive balls in a billiard tournament. Although Minnesota Fats is better known to many, Mosconi won the United States states pool championship eighteen times between from 1941-1956. He regularly employed numerous trickshots, set numerous records, and helped to popularize the game of billiards. He also served as the technical consultant for The Hustler and endorsed Brunswick sticks. Somewhere Mosconi’s and Mantle’s paths met. This two-piece Brunswick pool cue was a gift from Willie to Mickey. At the base it is embossed in gold “From Willie Mosconi To Mickey Mantle”. One can only imagine what a game of straight pool was like between the Hustler and the Mick. Also included is the canvas and leather case. LOA from Willie Mosconi Jr.

Please note that this is a Frank Paradise custom pool cue."

This from the description from Sotheby's site.

Final hammer for this cue US$12,000!