READ THE MARCH-APRIL ISSUE OF MILLIONAIRE FEATURING FABULOUS DREAM HOMES  -   SHOP THE WORLDS BEST LUXURY PRODUCTS IN SHOP MILLIONAIRE  -   COMING SOON THE ALL NEW BUY SELL AUCTION - PLACE YOUR ITEMS ON THE BUY SELL AUCTION FOR FREE! (a limited time offer)  -   READ ABOUT MILLIONAIRE PARIS HILTON AND GEORGE CLOONEY IN THIS MONTHS MILLIONAIRE  -   WATCH MILLIONAIRE TV  -   LISTEN TO MILLIONAIRE RADIO  -   COMING SOON! MILLIONAIRE CLUB MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE THE INVESTMENT NEWSLETTER

Deep Pockets The World’s Largest Collection of Antique Billiard Tables BY KENNETH SHOULER No one just plays pool on an antique table. With an exceptional table — say one made by Balke-Collender in 1870 — you first want to take in the variety of woods and stains used. Then you inspect the marquetry and colorful inlays. Are the rail diamond inlays genuine mother of pearl? Antique tables aren't appropriate slate stages for bangers shooting nine ball any more than Ferraris are suitable for displaying bumper stickers. These productions of rich woods and baize are works of art — not to mention appreciating investments. How thick is the slate, one inch or two? Are the pocket drops black leather or bedecked with copper medallions? Are the balls returned by a wooden subway? How skillfully placed are the maple burl, red tulip oak, macassar ebony, and other exotic woods to accent the detail work?    A cook's tour of the six stories of Blatt Billiards (809 Broadway near 12 th Street) in New York City serves up a veritable feast for the eyes. Having repaired and built tables for 85 years, Blatt has nearly 3,000 wood behemoths in inventory (they warehouse most of them in Hillburn, New York), the largest collection in the world. Few of these restored and made-from-scratch models will ever put in an appearance at the local pool hall. Nothing mass-market here: most of these came into the world between 1890 and 1915. Some have been aging, gracefully, since before the Civil War, more than 150 years ago. Each table has its personal history. This one was neglected by indifferent parents, its tapered legs left to soak in basement water. Now is the time for healing. Another, sculpted from shumard red oak, was drowned in beige paint to match up with someone's ghastly den décor. No matter; salvation is at hand. There are 13 cabinetmakers (the top of the food chain in wood working) who restore wounded wood and carve out other models from scratch. With two-inch-thick slates and solid oak frames, cabriole legs, and rich walnut rails, some tables weigh as much as 2,400 pounds. The costs run from $18,000 to $300,000, the latter being the price point on the Grant Table. This singular model was the property of one Ulysses S. Grant, who took it on a tour through Europe after the Civil War. Most striking about this table is its exceptional marquetry and sturdy construction. Designed by German piano manufacturer J.B. Dorfelder in 1870, it bears the names of 30 European and American cities, each inlaid on diagonal banners surrounding bunches of olive branches running the entire 24-foot perimeter of the table. The table's striking features are six panels (two on each side and one on each end) depicting a military scene, including eagles, bayonets, helmets, cannons and balls, powder kegs and tri-colored flags. Six different woods — notably ebony and rosewood — set off the military symbols in vivid detail. As odd as it sounds, the Grant model (which recently was sold) isn't even the most elaborate of the bunch. Each time you think you've reached the peak, another more ornate table waits around the corner. “People want antiques,” says Bruce Roeder, table designer at Blatt for 30 years. “With an upscale clientele, we look for uniqueness.”  For information or to order, visit http://www.BlattBilliards.com.

Return to top of the page

2005 © Copyright Millionaire Corporation - DBA Millionaire Luxury Network - All Rights Reserved

Millionaire® magazine, Millionaire.com, Millionaire Television®, Millionaire™ Radio and Billionaire® magazine provides an online magazine and print magazine that gives readers a look at luxury lifestyles. Millionaire magazine and our online magazine also offer magazine subscriptions and advertising. Millionaire mall advertising is offered to those advertising in Millionaire magazine and Billionaire magazine. Millionaire magazine advertising and advertising at millionaire.com puts your advertising in front of the rich with money. Rich people with money travel and travel last minute. They purchase travel, last minute travel, adventure travel air travel and Caribbean travel from online travel agents. They also book last minute travel which can be sold by advertising in millionaire magazine and millionaire online magazine. The rich buy magazines and magazine subscriptions that feature travel real estate, homes, home decor and home improvements. Real estate, real estate agents Florida real estate, and real estate listings are featured in Millionaire magazine, the peoples magazine. So if you are buying a home, home décor, home improvements, purchasing travel in the future or last minute travel, buying real estate or need a real estate agent then Millionaire magazine is for you. Millionaire magazine is sold on magazine racks and by magazine subscriptions to affluent people. If you want to read about millionaires, the money they make the places they travel and the homes they live in you can do so here on millionaire.com the luxury magazine network. You can look in the millionaire mall get a magazine subscription, do some advertising or just enjoy reading about rich people, the money they make and lifestyles millionaires live.

We are the elite publication and online content provider for anyone who would want to be part of the Millionaire culture… and who wouldn't want to be a part of that? Millionaire wants to be your elite content provider in all areas of luxury living. From luxury automobiles, to high speed yachts and even personal jets that rival performance with those of the military are part of the regular articles we present every month in Millionaire magazine and at www.millionaire.com.

Millionaire Magazine provides proof that those who want to be a Millionaire, can find all of the greatest and finest products in the world, all in one magazine. Our editors scour the world for the finest articles of clothing, the most luxurious transportation, and the most elegant and satisfying vacation resorts that a Millionaire can enjoy. If you are not a Millionaire, and simply want to be one, our magazine is still for you! Enjoy the lifestyles of Millionaires, and read about their exploits right off your own coffee table. Perhaps you'll even feel like a Million bucks for a short time as you peruse the pages of our magazine or now also on our brand new web site at Millionaire.com.

SHOP Millionaire is the superb collection of our finest Millionaire Magazine advertisers. For those who want to be part of the Millionaire world, you can explore all of these elite products, fashions and more. You don't even have to be a Millionaire to enjoy all that luxury has to offer! Perhaps you simply want to be one of the people who feels like a Millionaire for a day. You could visit the luxury retreats of Millionaires, or try one of the products that many Millionaires savor. The lifestyle of the Millionaire has never been out of your reach, if you simply know how to capture the moment. Millionaire Magazine will give you the power to reach out and experience a place for those of us who always knew they wanted to be a Millionaire, or at least feel like one!

Are you a rebellious billionaire? A billionaire who defines his life by living a rebel lifestyle that is constantly on the edge of what others are willing to do, or even think about? Our Billionaire Magazine is dedicated to the rebel billionaire, or those who simply would like a little insight into the lifestyle of a Billionaire who lives with a little rebel inside of himself or herself.

Many Billionaires are known for being rebels against the systems and standards of everyday life. After all, how does one become a Billionaire without having a bit of a rebellious streak in them? It is simply impossible. The Billionaire is the modern definition of rebel in every sense of the word. Are you a bit of a rebel? Do you desire something more from life everyday? Perhaps you are a Billionaire in waiting? Or maybe not. Either way, you can certainly enjoy the power and prestige of the life of a rebel Billionaire when you step into the world of Billionaire Magazine. You will also find so much to offer in Millionaire.com which is filled with the lush and extravagant lifestyles of the great Millionaires and Billionaires of the new modern world. Don't be left behind, jump into the best the world has to offer right now when you join the club of Millionaire and Billionaire Magazine today!

Being a Billionaire may not be in the cards for most of us, however we all do have a little bit of that rebellious side in us that makes us want to live like a rebel Billionaire. If this speaks to you, we encourage you to explore our Millionaire.com site which is also filled with many of the insights and articles of Billionaire Magazine. Or subscribe to Millionaire Magazine, and receive your Billionaire Magazine as well! Visit our SUBSCRIBE page to find out all of the details of getting Millionaire and Billionaire Magazine for one low great price!