A recent eBay listing caught my eye for Family Era Barling LF Canadian in a Special grading:
Barling LF
It had a perspex stem, but something about the stem's shaping didn't look right. Closer examination showed the stem to be a replacement, a determination that was confirmed in the description of the pipe. Moreover, the nomenclature is highly buffed as is the pipe, and there is significant wear and tear including dents to the rim.
I had no interest in bidding on it as I already have enough serviceable burners and need no more. Anything that I now add will have to be in excellent condition, or very interesting from a historical standpoint. But I followed this auction anyway and was very surprised to see what the pipe sold for. If this trend of paying money of this kind for Barlings in this condition continues, I may have found my retirement fund.
Barling LF
It had a perspex stem, but something about the stem's shaping didn't look right. Closer examination showed the stem to be a replacement, a determination that was confirmed in the description of the pipe. Moreover, the nomenclature is highly buffed as is the pipe, and there is significant wear and tear including dents to the rim.
I had no interest in bidding on it as I already have enough serviceable burners and need no more. Anything that I now add will have to be in excellent condition, or very interesting from a historical standpoint. But I followed this auction anyway and was very surprised to see what the pipe sold for. If this trend of paying money of this kind for Barlings in this condition continues, I may have found my retirement fund.