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…
Italy, 1940-60s This is unmistakably a Lorenzo Tagliabue pipe, made before he took over the family’s historic pipe manufactory, previously known as Fratelli Lana (1900-1946) and Manufattura di Pipe Tagliabue (1946-1969). You can find this exact marking on the well-known Pipephil resource: http://www.pipephil.eu/logos/en/dots/rond-bois.html. This confirms that the pipe was made before 1969, but judging by…
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….
France Throughout its one hundred and twenty-year history, ROPP has been the undisputed leader not only in France but also worldwide when it comes to cherrywood pipes. This success might have been all there was to it if not for the collaboration with Adolf Frankau (BBB), which prompted the family manufactory in Burgundy to begin…
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…
France, 1920-30s It is rare to find a pipe marked BRUYERE GARANTIE that can be described as anything more specific than indicating it was made from genuine briar circa the 1920s-30s. The slightly unclear AIWON inscription and the even less legible MADE IN FRANCE suggest that it was manufactured by the French company La Bruyère,…
Austria It is safe to say that the Austrian manufacturer Strambach is behind this pipe. Since 1904, Strambach has been delighting smokers with mouthpieces and meerschaum pipes. Today, it is the only manufacturer of meerschaum and calabash pipes in the European Union and is a highly respected company in Austria, having received numerous awards. Edith…
Denmark, 1970s A truly high-grade pipe from Denmark’s most famous pipe shop, made in the 1970s. During these golden times, the basement of the W.Ø. Larsen store in Copenhagen housed many talented craftsmen who personally carved such valuable pipes as Select and Straight Grain. Therefore, we can be sure that this gem was created by…
England, 1980-90s This is perhaps the largest and one of the most attractive Tilshead pipes we have ever offered. This large, heavy, high-quality English bulldog-style pipe came to us from the period after 1984 when James Upshall began engraving stampings on pipes with a pantograph, and definitely before 1996 when they also introduced logos on…