USA, 1970-80s American artisans from Kaywoodie have always delighted collectors with a generous variety of shapes and finishes — sometimes simply pleasant and utilitarian, sometimes extremely apt and thoughtful. And, of course, our today’s Ruf-Tone belongs to such the brightest and most successful: the artificially aged, contrasting finish combined with deep rustication is literally mesmerizing,…
USA, 1950s Let’s be honest: we usually expect practical, reasonably priced products of acceptable quality from Medico. That’s why it’s especially interesting—and unexpected—to present here a luxurious Medico pipe made of block meerschaum, skillfully crafted by well-known Austrian artisans. The exact manufacturer of these sepiolite pipes is unknown, but the list of likely candidates includes…
USA, 1900-1920s William Demuth Company is arguably one of the oldest pipe manufacturers in the USA. Founded in 1862, WDC initially specialized in clay and sepiolite (meerschaum) pipes, but by the early 20th century, it had firmly established itself as a key player in the briar pipe market. While mass-produced WDC briar pipes from the…
USA, 1900-1920s A unique example of the earliest products from the Chicago-based M. Linkman & Company, founded in 1898 and world-famous since the 1930s thanks to the technically and marketing-wise super-successful Dr. Grabow brand. Today, we present an exquisite creation from earlier times—showing none of the utilitarianism and pragmatism typical of later American pipes. Instead,…
USA “If you must smoke, make it healthful and pleasurable.” Details about David Jelling’s tobacco business are limited, with directories and catalogs providing little more than a brief mention of a tobacco shop in Newark that also sold pipes sourced from other suppliers. More information can be gathered from artifacts of the era, primarily matchbooks…
USA, 1950s We restored the same 1950s KAYWOODIE Super Grain 61 ‘Streamliner’ pipe nearly eight years ago. And now, through a twist of fate, we have its twin—nearly identical in dimensions (within 1 mm), the same briar, the same two holes drilled at the bottom of the chamber to the air channel, and carrying the…
USA, 1933-36 The series name, The Pocket, reflects the strategic idea behind these pipes, which manufacturers began producing in large numbers in the 1930s-50s. While the shape is aesthetically appealing, it also offered a practical benefit: in an era when many people smoked pipes, this design allowed smokers to forgo bags or cases, simply slipping…
USA, 1960s Given that similar pipes were produced in England under the name Kaywoodie Chessman until the early 1970s, it’s reasonable to assume that this pipe also dates from the late 1950s to early 1970s. It was also likely made in England, as the mouthpiece here features a standard tenon rather than a threaded one….
USA It should be noted that men do not hold exclusive monopoly in the pipe business, just as in many other fields traditionally considered ‘male.’ Women’s labor has always been widely utilized in pipe factories, especially for finishing work that requires special patience and precision. Many artisans enlisted the help of their wives, sisters, or…
USA, 1950s American classics of the 1950s, the era of rock and roll, big, beautiful cars with loud radios (does the title of the series hint at Oldsmobile Starfire? :-)), and the rise of many American pipe brands. The most well-known are the famous Dr. Grabow Starfire pipes with a wire-carved finish that cannot be…