Very Old KB&B Londonlike Estate Pipe Help

[voorhees]

The attached photo is of an estate KBB pipe got. The only stamp is KB&B and Londonlike. There is a number but the previous owner stamped his pipes with a number which he catalogued. Shape is a Zulu, but nothing else. I do believe it had a inner tube and is a push in stem. It has a very unique rustication.

Thoughts and opinions welcome.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Very odd nomenclature: I swear it reads "LONDOMLIKE". The photos are all a bit underexposed, likely due to the light background.

 

[voorhees]

I looked again. It is a an “N”. London.

 

[jpmcwjr]

That makes sense, and the "M" doesn't. But the two photos sure as hell make it look like an "M".

 

[scloyd]

I Londonlike it. I don't have a Zulu in my collection...yet.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Love those old KBBs. Every one I’ve ever had with the original Drinkless stinger and push in tenon has been a great smoke.

 

[SpookedPiper]

I really love the rustication, nice find.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I swear it reads "LONDOMLIKE".

I see it too.

 

[voorhees]

 

[voorhees]

Anyone ever see this type of rustication before? I found the model name in research but not any pipe like this.

Might be an early KBB rustication that didn't work out.

 

[brooklynpipeclub]

I love the zulu shape. Simple and elegant. Very interesting rustication indeed. Makes you wonder what tool was used to make those divots.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Jason- I believed you, but was- and am- curious as to why the photo showed an apparent "M".

Thanks.

 

[trouttimes]

Fine looking pipe. I have quite a few zulus. Love the shape.

 

[voorhees]

Jason- I believed you, but was- and am- curious as to why the photo showed an apparent "M".

Thanks.

Probably my lack of photo skills. And a shaky hand.

 

[jpmcwjr]

No; the photos are fine, but it must be the way the light fell on it in the first two.

 

[jguss]

It's definitely spelled Londonlike. KBB introduced the model in 1917; an issue of the American Exporter at the time stated "The shapes in this line are identical with the popular London Styles, and from this fact the name Londonlike is derived." Makes sense given the cachet associated with London made pipes. And a refreshingly honest approach. Some other American manufacturers were less candid in differentiating between what was inspired by London brands, and what was actually of London manufacture.

Here's a 1919 advertisement mentioning the model:




It's clear that the Londonlike was available in a smooth finish too.

Here's a poker:



And a cased beauty:





I think, but am not sure, that it was produced with vulcanite as well as bakelite stems. All mentions I found of the Londonlike were from the late teens. If it survived past that point I would guess not very far into the 1920s. Bakelite as a stem material lost favor as the decade waned.

In any case yours is a very cool pipe and I hope it gives you much pleasure.

 

[mso489]

Interesting variation on the shape since the bowl looks quite billiard-like to me, though the shank and stem look yacht/zulu shaped. But that is the way with shapes often.

 

[voorhees]

@ jguss. Thanks for the additional info. Much helpful. I assumed this was an early piece and early pieces usually don't have all the tell-tell things the later ones can.
It was barely smoked and its a keeper.
I will be posting a few others I found in this lot. An early Linkman Bent Billiard(huge pipe) and a Mincer era Custom-Bilt in fantastic condition along with Early unsmoked Marxman, Lightly smoked gourd calabash, and a beautifully colored 1900's meer. Even an unsmoked MM Rhodesian cob from probably the 30's.

 

[jguss]

Congratulations! You did very well.

 

[shanez]

View attachment 11485

I was liking the blurry pic. I've always wanted to visit Londom and some other places in merry old Emgland.