Pool Cue Used by Tom Cruise in the Color of Money for Sale on Ebay... Or Is It?

Ebay auction for cue used by Tom Cruise in the movie The Color of Money

Photo is courtesy of lowell622 on Ebay

An item came up for sale recently on Ebay where the seller claims it is the authentic pool cue used by Tom Cruise (Vincent) in the movie the Color of Money.

The seller is asking an opening bid of $50,000, and there are 9+ days left on the auction.

Here is the sellers description of the item, and the story behind the authenticity of the cue.

"This is THE actual cue that Paul Newman gives to Tom Cruise in the movie The Color Of Money. This movie, and this cue are icons to all pool enthusiasts. With the passing of Paul Newman, and anything with Tom Cruise being increasingly valuable, this is a piece of Americana that has potentially unmatched sentimental value for any fan of the game of pool, Tom Cruise, Paul Newman, or any movie buff.

Ok, the story of the cue, as best I understand it. After the movie was filmed, it was actually Paul Newman who kept it. Later, The Music Academy Of The West, in Santa Barbara, where his daughter was attending held a fund raising auction. He donated his famed cue. From here, I know the story. A friend of mine offered at the opening bid of $250 (pretty sure it was $250) just so that as he put it "he could say he bid on it." As it turned out, no one else there appreciated this piece of memorabilia, and he won with the opening, and only bid. He actually had to borrow the money to pay for it, as he never expected to be the winner. For years I've known this story, and have made many offers to purchase it, which were denied, but was promised that if the time ever came where he would sell it, I would have the first opportunity. About six months ago, I finally got that opportunity, and was able to purchase it from him.

As for authenticity, first, if you watch the movie, and look at the cue closely, it's clear, even a small ding in it from where Newman hits a light with it in one scene. There is a notarized form that Paul Newman provided with the auction, that is apparently at his mother's house in Indiana, that I have yet to receive. I understand this lack of documentation affects the value, however this cue IS 100% LEGITIMATE. Anyone who wanted to invest the time to track it's course over the years could verify this. I understand that the opening bid is high, but for less than that I'd rather keep it. Please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to answer any questions you may have."

Any movie props that are verified and actually used in a film automatically have an intrinsic value that is above and beyond the value of a given item.  On the History Channel's weekly show Pawn Stars, a gentleman once tried to sell what he claimed was an the actual whip used by Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark.  He did not have any documentation, or authentication to verify it was actually held and used in the movie, and expert opinion from a stuntman hired by the Pawn Shop deduced that it might have been a prop used by the stuntman, but was not the same whip used by Ford at any time.

It also begs the question, why would any collector take a chance to purchase an item from an online auction site when tens of thousands of dollars are at stake, versus seeking the security and potential legitimacy of an auction house?

The seller reports that there is a notarized letter (form) that was signed by Paul Newman before he passed away, but without that letter, would any sensible person spend $50,000 on a collectible, no matter how much they desire to own it?

The National Billiards Examiner is certainly not an expert on authentication of memorabilia, and makes no claim as to the authenticity of this item.  The cue used by Tom Cruise in the role of Vince in the movie the Color of Money was unique, and perhaps MORE unique than the Joss (although it was called a Balabushka in the movie) used by Paul Newman.

Is it worth $50.000 however to a serious collector?  Possibly so, but more importantly, would anyone be willing to spend $50,000 on an item that comes with a colorful story, but leaves much to be desired on its authenticity?

The Ebay auction link can be found here:  Tom Cruise Color of Money Cue

*Update*  The Ebay listing has been removed.  At least one person, if not more, challenged the seller on the authenticity and accuracy of the item, and the seller has removed the item and closed the listing.