Willie Hoppe Early Photo

[Duluth Eskimo]

Hoppe is considered to be one of if not the greatest billiard player of all time. He was a tremendous player at a very young age. This is a quote from a billiard forum I found. I wouldn't consider myself an expert, but I have a Hoppe signed photo and other items in my collection amongst other billiards guys.

"At the young age of five, Willie Hoppe started learning how to play billiards. He played on the pool table in the hotel that his father owned and operated. Because he was so short, he would stand on a box in order to reach the table. By the age of nine, he became known as the "Boy Wonder" and by age fourteen, he was playing billiards professionally with men three times his age."

[Duluth Eskimo]

Here's a photo I found as well as a young man

[aelefson]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the help.

Alan

[1880nonsports]

I looked through my only two billiard related books - but want to say I'm jealous of your visit to the paper show. Some good memories and good finds. There was even the day the fire department came in and said there were too many people!!!! Imagine that.........

[aelefson]

Thanks for the try Henry! I have heard stories about some of the crowds in the past. I lucked out this year as a snowstorm kept a lot of regular buyers (and even some dealers) away. I love searching through ephemera and other antique shows as you never know what you will find.

Aside from the Hoppe photo, I found an autographed cabinet photo of the 19th century soprano Nellie Melba (Melba toast was named after her. Yes, it is missing the bottom half but I still thought it was cool to have), 4 B33s (3 basketball and one baseball), and several Boy Scout items (pins and pre 1920 postcards with a 1918 basketball team one scanned below). Below are some additional scans. The best part was the price. I bought the Hoppe, Melba, and a few other items for about 100 dollars, and paid 30 dollars total for the 4 B33s.

[Runscott]

Yes, it's Willie Hoppe. I've seen other copies of the same image before, also mounted as a cabinet. You can find some of my Hoppe photos via the link below.

[aelefson]

Thanks Scott! I am very happy to hear that. You have some really cool photos of Hoppe on your site.

Thanks again,
Alan