This pipe is interesting to me not because of its appearance (pretty plain, and not in top condition), but because of its production date. 1940 is the latest example known of the 472 (John Loring intended to note the discovery of this pipe in his guide's next addendum/update, but died before doing so); and 1940 was also the darkest of dark days for England. Nightly aerial bombing for months on end, and Hitler's armies expected to invade from across the Channel at any moment. The Dunhill shop was destroyed by a bomb in early 1941, in fact.
In short, this pipe was one of the last ones made before what looked certain to be the End of the World. Maybe even literally the last. No one will ever know.
That it survived into the 21st Century---indeed that the WORLD survived---is something no one would have bet on the day it was made. Knowing it was last touched by the hands of someone who had such thoughts makes it special indeed.
.
In short, this pipe was one of the last ones made before what looked certain to be the End of the World. Maybe even literally the last. No one will ever know.
That it survived into the 21st Century---indeed that the WORLD survived---is something no one would have bet on the day it was made. Knowing it was last touched by the hands of someone who had such thoughts makes it special indeed.
.
