JAMES UPSHALL Tilshead 5

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020

England, 1984-1996

We would assign the pipe to the period between 1984, when James Upshall company started to engrave stamping on pipes, and 1996, when they introduced logos on stems too. Like every James Upshall pipe this one was completely hand made by Barry Jones, former top carver at Charatan’s. Therefore it’s very easy to confuse the pipe with high grade Charatan’s products.

The pipe marking is “TILSHEAD \ENGLAND”, “5”, “MADE BY HAND”. The length is 16.0 cm (6.3″), the bowl’s height is 5.2 cm (2.05″). External diameter of the bowl is 2.9 cm (1.14″), internal diameter is 1.7 cm (0.67″). The depth is 4.5 cm (1.77″) and this pipe weights 28 gr. Briar, vulcanite stem (just a little bit corrected – you may identify the trace under a bright light), no filter. The chamber has a normal smoked condition, we didn’t identify any issues. On the right side of the shank (above the stamping) was a small chip – carefully and reliably patched during the restoration.

CHARATAN'S
CHARATAN’S MAKE Selected 47
July 21, 2018December 17, 2018
England, 1950s One of very high grade Charatans pipes made before Lane era, most probably in the 1950s. Charatan’s admirers know the highest grade was the “Supreme”. Another one of the highest grades, “Selected” level was the second from the top. Perhaps the most sophisticated and mind-blowing “Selected” pipes were made during the 1960-70s period….
Read More CHARATAN’S MAKE Selected 47
CHARATAN'S
CHARATAN’S MAKE Selected F. H. lovat
November 12, 2017December 26, 2018
England, 1960s It’s perhaps the best example how a simple and almost purely geometric shape can turn out into an unexpectedly wonderful exciting work of art. A little bit freehand, a little bit lovat and eye catching straight grain briar – the very high grade (“Selected” was next to the incomparable highest “Supreme” line) Lane…
Read More CHARATAN’S MAKE Selected F. H. lovat
GBD
GBD Pedigree 9489
November 25, 2015January 27, 2019
England, 1950-70s The highest grade GBD pipe made in 1970s the latest, before the acquisition of the company by Cadogan. Amazing straight plus birdeyes grain, elegant aristocratic shape, great lightweight briar make the pipe an incomparable addition to any collection.
Read More GBD Pedigree 9489
SAVINELLI
SAVINELLI Authograph 4 Straight Grain
November 24, 2015January 27, 2019
Italy Autograph pipes make only 2% of the Savinelli production, but since 1980s they are the subject of a special pride of the company. The pipes are made essentially by hand; briar is sourced absolutely separately from the materials for a mass market. Every bowl is firstly shaped and only then drilled by experienced carvers….
Read More SAVINELLI Authograph 4 Straight Grain
STANWELL
STANWELL Jubilee 63
October 14, 2013February 12, 2019
2 Comments
Denmark Dating of pipes (except Dunhill) is both entertaining, puzzling and inexact process. Therefore we may thank to gentlemen from Stanwell who simplified the dating problem having made a range of collectable pipes on its 40-year anniversary in 1982 and invited the best masters for their design such as Tom Eltang, Jess Chonowitsch, Anne Julie,…
Read More STANWELL Jubilee 63
INVICTA
INVICTA by COLIN FROMM
September 2, 2023September 2, 2023
1 Comment
England, 1970s Colin Fromm belongs “to the small number of English pipe artisans skilled in making high-end freehand shapes” (c) pipedia. Invicta was Colin’s first major project since 1974 when the ownership of Medway Pipe Repair changed to Colin Leeson, along with the company name becoming Invicta Briars. However, Colin soon shifted his focus to…
Read More INVICTA by COLIN FROMM