England, 1960-70s According to pipedia, George W. Sims used to work for Charatan’s (that is clearly visible of some Sims pipes) and for Barling (that is also not excluded). But finally he found himself as an independent tobacconist and an owner of a little shop in Northern London, which existed till 1980. “G.W. Sims was…
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…
USA, 1950s Step into the 1950s, an iconic era of American history, where rock’n’roll melodies filled the airwaves, majestic cars cruised the streets with booming radio receivers, and the American pipe industry was flourishing. Amidst this vibrant period emerges a true American classic – behold, the Dr. Grabow’s Starfire. As if paying homage to the…
England, 1946-67 This poker shape Hardcastle’s pipe from the transition period (1946-1967) is an impressive offspring of a very interesting and fruitful time. During this era, the company was already a 100% subsidiary of Dunhill, but family management still retained a certain level of independence. Pipe markings “HARDCASTLE’S \ LONDON MADE \ Marquis”, “281”Length 14.1…
England The pipe belongs to one of the most successful and popular series produced at the John Redman pipe factory in London in the middle of XX century. A promising very lightly smoked pipe with nice grain, wonderful poker shape and meerschaum lining. Pipe markings “GOLDEN SQUARE\ LONDON MADE”, “MADE IN ENGLAND 152” Length 13.6…
Ireland, 2009 In fact Peterson’s Mark Twain series launched firstly in 1981 was inspired by two great smokers: personally Mr. Samuel Clemens known as a dedicated admirer of Peterson pipes (more precisily: Charles Peterson Patent pipes) and Mr. Huck Finn’ who smoked corncob pipes. Therefore the set traditionally consist of two pipes: one Peterson System…
England, 1960-70s A very high grade Charatan’s pipe from the “Lane era” (1960-76), 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 the second…
England, 1930-40s An unsmoked lightweight and highly traditional British (British made!) Hardcastle’s pipe from the family period in other words it has been made before 1946 and the most probably – in the 1930s. Highly recommended!
France The Camargue is a natural region located south of Arles, France, between the Mediterranean Sea and the two arms of the Rhône delta. With an area of over 930 km2 (360 sq mi), the Camargue is western Europe’s largest river delta. It is a vast plain comprising large brine lagoons or étangs, cut off…
England, 1960-70s A really unique high grade Charatan’s pipe! The De Luxe grade was actually one of the family-era series and it wasn’t stamped onto Lane era Charatan’s pipes. The Distinction grade belongs already to the Lane period, more specificly – “the second Lane era” (1965-76) in this case, the stamping “MADE BY HAND” proofs…