That's a picture, above, of the famous Allinger's Billiard Academy as it appeared in 1910. I found the picture at the
3cushion.com website. The greatest players in the world made their way to Allingers, including
Greenleaf and
Mosconi. I believed the room may have moved around during its tenure -- folks from Philadelphia would know better. At any rate, in the 1950s it was located at 1307 Market Street. It was at this location in 1954 that
Wimpy Lassiter won his first national championship. He defeated defeated Irving Crane 150 to 130 in the final. (You can read about it in Hustler Days).
Why am I writing about Allingers? Because reader Jason McManus recently sent me some photos that once hung on the walls of the poolroom. He explains that these are reproductions -- that is, they're photos of photos. That's why you can see the flash in many of them.
Jason said he didn't take the photos himself, but rather they were taken by his friend Joe. "I remember Joe telling me a funny story of how he learned the game of pool there from the older guys. They sort of babysat him, as he was supposed to go to the dentist. What Joe did not know was that his mother gave them passes for a burlesque show where his mother was a makeup artist."
I can imagine a lot of these guys appreciating tickets to the girly shows. Jason wonders about the identities of these pool players. Anybody have any clues? The guy right below looks to be Hubert "Daddy Warbucks" Cokes, the famous gambler and one-pocket player. Also: who has more stories about Allingers?
-- R.A. Dyer
Jason said he didn't take the photos himself, but rather they were taken by his friend Joe. "I remember Joe telling me a funny story of how he learned the game of pool there from the older guys. They sort of babysat him, as he was supposed to go to the dentist. What Joe did not know was that his mother gave them passes for a burlesque show where his mother was a makeup artist."
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8 comments:
I remember Allingers! I played there a few time in the late '50s, early '60s, when I was still in school.
It was on the second floor, but since whatever was on the first floor had really high ceilings, the climb up the stairs to Allingers was long and narrow, and it wasn't unusual to pass a few bums hiding out from the weather.
Inside, right in front of the counter, was the main action table, with a prominent sign proclaiming "NO GAMBLING", but of course that was just for show.
The floors were all bare wood planks, and I remember that the place wasn't a high example of cleanliness, but there seemed to be a high degree of orderliness.
The strongest memory I have of Allingers was the rack girls. You could rack your own, of course, but if you could also get help. Bang your stick on the floor a couple of times, yell "RACK!" and a little black girl would scurry over and rack 'em for you, for tips. I remember the going rate was a dime a rack, pretty good money in those days.
Allingers was a Philly landmark, the high holy place of pool south of New York City.
When I graduated from college and started working for a living, pool left my life for 40 years, during which time Allingers quietly closed up forever.
My grandfather worked here! I believe the place was owned by his father-in-law. Amazing to see this post. Thanks!
Rayna,
You're not related to Ned Polsky, are you?
R.A. Dyer
Dyer,
Not that I know of.
I did get a wonderful email from my dad today, though:
"My Grandfather, Sam Ross, owned Allingers probably from about 1945 until it closed. The business was managed by Sam Ross and his family: Martin Ross, Louis Ross, Jerry Ross, Jay Ross and my father, Irving Polsky. In addition to helping to manage the place , my father did most of the repairs and maintenance of the billiard tables. In addition he made cue sticks. Many of the famous players came to Allingers: Willie Hoppe and Willie Mosconi for example. My dad would bring me to Allingers on the weekends and teach me how to shoot pocket billiards. Unfortunately, I never had much talent for playing pool."
I remember Freddie, who is pictured first on this post. Often played with him in the open game at lunchtime. He was a great old hustler! Loved to play pocket a piece for a couple of dollars a game.
When I went to interview for admission at the University of Pennsylvania, I made SURE I got the lay of the land in the world of pool in the Philly area..and wound up, of course, at Allingers. My memories include a 24 hour a day rotation game that went on on a table elevated from the rest of the room...sort of like the high end baccarat games in casinos. This was 1966...and my memory may be wrong..but...that is what registers when I hear that famous name. I also had the distinct pleasure of playing at Ames and the 700 and Golden Cue on 50th (49th?) and Broadway. Talk about rack girls...
Tom Loughlin Jr, Utica NY
When I went to interview for admission at the University of Pennsylvania, I made SURE I got the lay of the land in the world of pool in the Philly area..and wound up, of course, at Allingers. My memories include a 24 hour a day rotation game that went on on a table elevated from the rest of the room...sort of like the high end baccarat games in casinos. This was 1966...and my memory may be wrong..but...that is what registers when I hear that famous name. I also had the distinct pleasure of playing at Ames and the 700 and Golden Cue on 50th (49th?) and Broadway. Talk about rack girls...
Tom Loughlin Jr, Utica NY
Hi my grandfatherJoseph Eichhorn used to cut hair in the back of the pool hall. He got to shoot pool with many of the guys there
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