Italy, 1990-2000s Giancarlo Guidi’s (Ser Jacopo dalla Gemma) entry in the pipe makers’ competition themed “imitation of wax drops.” We have already showcased the impressive works of Roberto Ascorti and Mario Gasparini, but Giancarlo’s piece stands out as the most successful imitation—and also the largest one, according to the specifications. Most notably, check the details…
England, 1980s By a fortunate coincidence, William John Ashton-Taylor was born in 1945 in a house next to Alfred Dunhill’s factory. It seemed like only a matter of time before he would become an apprentice in a factory at the age of 14 (Bill was still in school). Over the next quarter-century, Bill climbed through…
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…
England, 1984-96 An eye-catching and unique, large and capacious pipe, meticulously designed by the former top Charatan carver, Barry Jones, for the esteemed James Upshall Pipe Company. This exceptional creation seamlessly combines high-quality briar with a mesmerizing grain, skillfully carved into an alluring shape. Our estimation places this pipe between 1984 and 1996, as evidenced…
England, 1950-70s An amazing Comoy’s product made during the last pre-Cadogan period (1950-70’s). Among others Comoy’s brands and subbrands Guildhalls are always an object of a special interest and attraction of collectors from many countries – who knows, because of the glory and authority of the manufacturer or because of a mysterious aura of the…
France In the XX century Ropp was for French smokers the same as Dunhill for English people or Peterson for Irishmen – a synonym to the “smoking pipe” concept . Though Ropp was one of the first makers who started to use briar, their affordable and unique cherry wood pipes remain popular, collectable and pleasantly…
England, 1990s The story of Les Wood proves that Dunhill is not only a largest and most famous enterprise, but also a kind of a talent incubator. In the early 1980s Duhill’s master silversmith Leslie John Wood established an own enterprise similar to Alfred Sasieni many years before and Bill Ashton-Tayler a few years later….
England, 1962 Among with the Duhill ODA Dunhill LB (LBS) series is rather a designation for a very specific, large, at times – chubby billiard shape. According to John C. Loring “Dunhill introduced the LB shortly following the end of World War I and the shape soon became one of, if not the most popular….
England, 1960s An unsmoked very high grade Charatan’s pipe from the “Second Lane era” (1965-76), the period of the brightest blossoming of this brand, delightful shapes and grains which eclipsed all others pipe makers including Dunhill. Every Charatan’s admirer knows the highest grade was the “Supreme”. Another one of the highest grades, “Selected” level was…
Denmark, 1960-70s An amazing large, heavy and still unsmoked pipe made by Danish genius Preben Holm in 1960-70s. You still may see the artisan’s original bowl coat in the chamber. The condition is practically ideal, we may remark only slight discoloration of the logo on the stem.