MARIO GASPARINI M.G.M. Collectionist 558
Italy, 1960-65
Today we would call it “a challenge”. Over the last century many artisans and manufacturers represented their embodiment of the wax-drip pipes imitating the candle surface. The first pipe was carved by Castello, a few really stunning examples were made under the Ser Jacopo, Radice, Ardor, Larysson and even Dunhill brands. But one of the most creative and surprising views, inverted wax drip pipe, was offered by Mario Gasparini, a famous Italian artisan and factory owner from Milano, Italy. There were just a few pieces of this series made between 1960 and 1965 of the almost 50 years aged briar (“Briar 1912”), therefore this was a real miracle to obtain this pipe! An absolutely rare and extremely collectable work of art!
A great article on this Gasparini series you may find at rebornpipes.com.
The pipe markings are “M.G.M.” (“Mario Gasparini Milano”), “COLLECTIONIST”, “BRIAR 1912”, “HAND MADE \ ITALY”, “558?”. The length is 14.0 cm (5.51″), bowl’s height is 5.0 cm (1.97″). External diameter of the bowl is 4.1 cm (1.61″), internal diameter is 2.0 cm (0.79″). The depth is 3.9 cm (1.54″) and this pipe weights 43 gr. Briar, vulcanite stem, no filter.
