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Winner of The Josswest Prize The Josswest Prize is to identify and reward the cuemaker who, in their opinion, has done the most with new technology and has applied it to extending the design possibilities of cue design. |
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Winner of the Best of Show "Silver Medal" at the 1999 Gallery Gala in New York City...the "Athena". The Greek goddess of war was also worshipped as patroness of the arts and crafts, renowned for her skills as a spinner and weaver. This paradoxical blend of the aggressive and the artistic is reflected in this cue which has been two years in the making. Inspired in part by the features of an early nineteenth century cue from France, Athena is an eclectic mix of colors, patterns and materials. An aggressive, almost brash range of colors greets the eye. The strong diamond patterning of ebony and camateo in the handle contrasts with the curly patterning of amarath in the nose, and with the madrone burl in the butterfly patterns adorning the handle. Inlays of abalone, mother-of-pearl and silver provide a rich enhancement. The patterning at the base of the handle is a conventional diamond approach which is in stark contrast to the delicate, fern-like silver inlay which appears to meander in almost whimsical fashion from the tips of the points, up and around the handle. For a more detailed look at the "Athena" go to the Gallery Cues section. |
(click on picture to see full size) |
Museums…..
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"The Chantilly" is now residing at the National Museum of American History in the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. The following information accompanied the gift from R.C. Helmstetter to the NMAH. The story behind the Chantilly follows: In 1994, I began a project to design a cue based on a piece of fabric. Although the result bears no resemblance to the original fabric design, it was that inspiration that got me started in a direction. By sketching and ‘doodling’, I stumbled first on what I called the Pagoda design inlays and then connected them with loops, or ‘horseshoes’, to complete a ring around the cue. |
At this point I envisioned a cue with this ring on each side of the wrap area and no other inlay. I made that cue and called it the "Chantilly’s Ring". It had ivory inlays into ebony. It was very striking in that the complex rings complimented the simplicity of the solid black wood.
Then I decided I wanted to carry the design on and inlay complimentary points and butt sleeve inlays to create a dynamic design flow - something I had learned about from Bas Poulos (Director of Art and Art History at Rice University). In 1993, I had won an award for "Best Design of Show" at a cue show and Poulos was one of the judges. Since I felt many of my other designs were far superior to what the panel judged ‘Best’, I sought out the judges and asked them for their criteria and learned about ‘Dynamic Design flow’.My effort was to start in the nose area and have a long, thin point inlay that would move the eye to the first of the ring designs. Then pick up on the other side of the wrap area with additional rings and inlays that would draw the eye but not captivate it. This was all accomplished by using one material for inlay and one ‘field’ wood, limiting the colors involved.
The wood I choose was Cacique (Ka-see-kay), a South American rosewood species that is a favorite of mine because of its stability and consistent manner of transmitting shock waves. I have always been enamoured with the beautiful hues of the various rosewoods, but usually lean to the more active grain configurations of Brazilian, Madagascar or Coco Bolo. In this case I felt Cacique, with its shrimp coloring and inactive grain pattern was a better route. The "Chantilly" was born.
This cue has appeared on the TV show "Collectibles" and inspired one more "Chantilly" creation. The "Chantilly Gold" is the last of this very limited edition and I consider it to be the most beautiful cue I’ve ever made. The "Chantilly Gold" was premiered at the World Nine Ball Championships, Chicago, October 1997 and was shown at the Gallery of American Cue Art, New York, January 1998.The "Chantilly" is from the collection of Richard C. Helmstetter, cue builder, cue collector and most importantly - cue aficionado.
More museum pieces...
"The Epic Collection" is a unique matched pair of cues and presentation case that has been acquired by R.C. Helmstetter and is destined for donation to a museum of his choice (yet to be determined).
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"El Blanco Grande"
was acquired by a wealthy Japanese industrialist. The creation is now on display in a private museum in Japan. |
Awards….. "Man of the Year" - Houston Pocket Billiards Association - 1975 National 8-Ball League - ‘for your continuing support and promotion’ - 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994 "Best of Show" - ACA Cue Expo - Houston, TX , Spring 1993 Texas A&M Pocket Billiards Club- ‘In appreciation for your support and hospitality’ - "North American Challenge" - 1997 North American Challenge II - ‘In appreciation for your outstanding contribution and support’ - 1998 Silver Award "Best of Show", 1999 Gallery Gala, for "Athena" Honors….. Steve Mizerak’s Complete Book of Pool - dedicated "to Richard Black for renewing my interest in pool" - 1990 Tom and Dan Birkbeck’s watercolor - "Legendary Cuemaker" - 1994 Inclusion in the Billiard Encyclopedia - 1994 Inclusion in the Blue Book of Pool Cues - 1996 Inclusion in the Art of American Cuemakers Calendar - 1998 Invitation to display cues at the Gallery of American Cue Art - 1998 Member of….. The American Cuemakers Association (ACA) - Formed to advance the art of cuemaking as a unique American Art form by establishing and maintaining high standard for American made cues and cue products, to educate the public, promote the collecting of cues, and to cooperate with other organizations engaged in billiards promotions whose objectives are compatible with the ACA.
The Academy of American Cue Art (AACA) - Formed principally to promote the "Gallery of American Cue Art" (GACA) which is dedicated to promoting and exhibiting the functional art form of cuemaking. The GACA provides a quality venue to display and sell the artful creations of many of America’s finest cue artisans and encourages its invited participants to ‘push the envelope’ and go beyond the traditional boundaries of design and creativity. By virtue of expanding the craftsmen’s horizons, the functional art form of cuemaking takes on new dimensions that provide a lasting tribute to expression and talent.
Publicity….. March, 1999 saw RIchard's Rhapsody cue on the popular TV show "The Pretender". Over the past 25 years, Richard and his cues have been featured and mentioned in many TV shows, magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals. The following is a partial list.
| Houston Post Newspaper Jul 1976The National Billiard News Feb 1977 Austin American-Statesman Texas Monthly Magazine Houston Chronicle Newspaper Houston Party Line Houston City Magazine American Billiard Review Eyes of Texas (TV) Houston City Magazine Houston Digest Newsletter Esquire Magazine Houston Chronicle Houston Post Newspaper Austin American-Statesman The National Billiard News Chicago Tribune Bottom Line Personal Billiard Life Magazine Playboy Magazine Complete Book of Pool The Snap Magazine |
The Snap Magazine May 1991 Houston Post Newspaper The Clipper Newsletter New York Times Magazine Robb Report Magazine The National Billiard News Pool and Billiard Magazine Billiards Digest Magazine Michigan Pool Magazine The American Cueist Pool and Billiard Magazine Billiards Bulletin European Billiard News Michigan Pool Magazine The Billiard Encyclopedia Rice University Sallyport Pool and Billiard Magazine World Billiard Magazine Private Clubs Magazine Norm at Work (TV) Humble Observer Pool and Billiard Magazine |
American Cueist Magazine Oct 1995 Pen World Magazine Pool and Billiard Magazine All About Pool National Billiard News Billiards Digest Texas Business Magazine Head Spot Newsletter USA Today Men’s Perspective Magazine Departures Magazine Robb Report Blue Book of Pool Cues Debritts Billiards Digest National Billiard News Pool & Billiard Real Money Gallery Art Catalog Art of Cuemakers Calendar Houston Chronicle |
