New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-22
HOW BILLIARD BALLS ARE MADE.
ONLY THE TUsK OF THE WILD ELEPHANT USED
CUTTING AND CoLoRING THE BALLS.

ONLY THE TUSK OF THE WILD ELEPHANT USED
CUTTING AND CoLORING THE BALLS.
Said manufacturer of ivory billiard balls:
"Ony the tusk Of the wild elephant furnishes ivory nara
enough to make into billiard balls The fierce temper OF
the wild hardens and sOidihes the tusk while that
the domestcaed elephant is of use for this pur
pose. Henry Adoph Meyer, Of Hamburg, Germany. Is
the largest dealer in ivory in the world He sends men
into Asia, Africa and India to buy up supplies and there
are sales at public auction every three months In Lon
don which Set the standard for prices over the whole
world"
" How Is the ivory preparedF'
For making into billiard balls. those parts OF the
tusks that OF sufficient diameter and perfectly solid
are sawed blocks representing the diameter OF the
ball and are shipped directly to us in that shape"
On visiting the workshop 1t found that these blocks
first put into lathe and ivory harness-ringt turned
from the edges before work begun on the pail
proper. After these rings are taken on along
with the ozark" OF the tusk an eighth OF an inch
thick the ball In the rough is laid away to season Tor
not less than six months 1T Ia liable to crack ana
shrink If used without seasoning. To finish the ball
from the rough block OF hard wood with socket capa
Bile OF holding third OF the ball Is well chaked and
the ball inserted The rotating motion causes the pa 10
adhere firmly TO the wooden socket and with steady
hand a correct eye and sharp chsel tho Intelligent
mechanic cuts the globe with perfect symmetry With
sharp pencil he frat outlines centre. then quartering
this ia cut with sharp chsel delicate groove 20 the
c1act deph of the diameter OF the designed ball, and
with practised precision ball is cut down to CORE
spond with the depth OF this groove To detect any errors
In the symmetry OF ball sheet OF thin brass mas
perfectly round hole one third the diameter OF the ball
cut In IT, The ball placed in this hole aud held 10 the
light in such that the light VIII show through
wherever the brass fails to touch the ivory After the
chise the finest SAND paper used then pumce sto1
and water and the ball Ia finally polished with whit
ing and alcohol To make the little black spot on the
white ball a small hole is drilled and piece OF ebony
wood forced into 1t. color the balls they are hrst
placed I'm bath OF muratic acid and then in the color
Ing while boiling not Inc co mpOunus Oh cOorlhB
matter trade secrets. IT 49,,
asked the reporter. ~,
.Tney ohd never be bought In the winter" was the
answer "for ry after IT Ia wei sea1 Onsd. IS
susceptible u Ac Influence OF the weather expanding
and contracting with each change OF temperature ana
these AT all violent theY are sure 10 craoA
balls Tney should always be kept in place Of en en-
temperature such al comfortable to i've
in When they become cracked they should be well
rubbed with sweet OIL" 80
"What are the sizes ana pricesT - .
1--WE mako them from Jl6 inches TO 2os inches In
diameter. The American standard among the proIes-
sionals is 2 inches south America aud cuba require
larger ball rhey cost from so TO $50 SET depending
How are the different colors pnt on pool balsr
1--WE have ght-htting brass cups to put them ID witn
openings Ike stencil plates and the exposed part OF the
ball is ioucned with acid and subjected To Datn Oh
colorlng matter" -
position pals. They are less elastic and durable than
ivOrv. besides being hguy dangerous as tDey are eon
posed OF gn-c Otton and cAmpEOr TINS renders tneih
liable exp or burn II brought In contact Win
lighted taper piece Of composition harness ring was
iguitrd aud emitted strong smell Oh campnor anu IL
burned freely as fat pine.
In tho manufacturers show window OF the mouse
stand pair OF immense elephant usks the largest IN
America. They seven feet ak inches from Up 10
base aud weigh III and l23 pounds a
from India that mad been made to assist In loading ana
unloading vessels and great grooves were worn IN the
sides Of the tu,Es where rope had allowed to
SIP In lowering heavy packages