Hawke:
I'm not a mod here, but it's my understanding that eBay links are fine -- just as long as they aren't to an auction you're running. (I believe exceptions are made for eBay Stores that are operated by sponsors of this site.) Otherwise, it's looked on as self-promotion rather than as an informational link.
Did you win this pipe? I'm not sure I'd have gone for it; the seller's lack of regard for his listing bothered me (mentioning that it would need to be "reamed and cleaned," which, as a meerschaum with zero cake, was incorrect; it was just boilerplate from some other auction). I was also struck by what look like many hairline cracks in the meerschaum bowl. I'd hate for this to be anyone's first meerschaum experience, as I fear it's only going to end up in a wasted $5.50.
Bob