I was sorry to read in the October issue of the Billiards Quarterly Review of the death of Willie Mosconi. During the course of my book-collecting this famous billiards player made a handsome gesture to me.
In 1987 I acquired a copy of George Sullivan's, "The Complete guide to Pool & Other Billiard Games." From this book I noted that Mr. Mosconi lived in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, and that he spent, "As much time playing golf as he does playing pool - even more time." I was aware that Willie had written two books: "Willie Mosconi on Pocket Billiards," and, "Winning Pocket Billiards." So, in August 1987 I wrote to him asking if he had any spare copies he could let me have and that I was quite willing to pay his price. I pointed out that we both played golf and hoped that he was still, "Potting and putting." However, I had no detailed address except Haddon Heights, and so I addressed my envelope to Willie Mosconi, Ex-World Billiards Champion, Haddon Heights, New Jersey, U.S.A. The incomplete address must have caused some delay, but, out of the blue, eighteen months later, I received the following hand-written letter:-
Dear Mr MacLeod,
Please forgive me, your letter has just surfaced from August 1987. I don't know how this has happened and I am sorry.
If you still want the hook I will be most happy to send it to you with pleasure. I was born June 27th. 1913. I still play golf although I have slowed down a hit.
Best wishes to you - please let me hear again from you and you won't have to wait two years.
Apologetically yours Willie Mosconi.
Now that I had the true address I replied by return saying how keen I was to have the book. And on the 8th March 1989 I received, "Willie Mosconi on Pocket Billiards," with the following letter:-
Dear Norman,
Thank you for your letter. This is the only book I could get my hands on and I would like you to have it with my compliments.
I am still enjoying golf right now - weather permitting. "Winning Pocket Billiards" is a revised edition of my first book, much the same material,
Stay Well,
Willie Mosconi.
I had asked Mr. Mosconi if he would inscribe the book with his, "Most treasured secret." When I opened the book I was delighted to find that he had inscribed it:-
"To Norman MacLeod,
Practice and Concentration
Best Wishes,
Willie Mosconi"
Also enclosed was a handsome glossy photograph of Mosconi in action and also inscribed, "Best wishes from Willie Mosconi." Since Willie Mosconi gave his first exhibition at the age of seven, his, "His most treasured secret," is well worth noting.