The Collection

 The Snooker and Billaird Collection

The Norman Clare Collection, now called the Snooker Heritage Collection, at Thurston, St. Anne Street, Liverpool is probably the largest collection of billiards and snooker memorabilia in the world. Only the Heinrich Weingartner Museum in Vienna compare with it and that is devoted to carom billiards. 

The Snooker Heritage Collection is free to enter BUT as the rooms are just part of a working office and factory a Guide is required. So please make an appointment giving at least 72 hours notice. The maximum number that can be shown round is limited to four. To make an appointment phone 0151 482 2700.

 

To give you a better idea of what is held in nthe collection the pictures below will give some idea of what is on display. The collection covers all aspects of Billiards and Snooker from balls to tables and much much more. Most of the collection was assembled by Norman Clare and has been maintained in his memory.

First flight of stairs on the way to the rooms with the main collection

The second and final flight of stairs to the Billiard and Snooker Heritage Rooms

A view of the main room

Another view

Some of the billiard and snooker cue collection

The corridor leadin to the main room

A view of the second room with the MIP Billiard Table and in the back ground can be seen the original Victorian Thurston Patent papers

The another view of the second room. Note the Thurston Royal Warrents on the wall

Thurston Royal Warrent granted in 1907

The original cheque signed by Charles Dickens made out to Thurston - dated

29th January 1866

Some of the collection is displayed in Thurston Billiard, Snooker and Pool table showroom in Liverpool

The display dedicated to the great British Billaird and Snooker champion - Joe Davis

The Snooker Heritage Collection is free to enter BUT as the rooms are just part of a working office and factory a Guide is required. So please make an appointment giving at least 72 hours notice. The maximum number that can be shown round is limited to four. To make an appointment phone 0151 482 2700.

Photographs and article are © 2020 E.A. Clare & Son Ltd