Got $889 For an Old Comoy's?

captainsousie · Jan 20, 2014

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the seller or originating sales site. I just found it interesting and had to share.
Found this on a site today while browsing. If you're looking for a unique Comoy's pipe at a bit of a high price, look no further. It's an old 1917-1930s age Virgin with some pretty interesting plumbing and gold band/cap combo. Beauty of a pipe but man, I don't think I could pay that for it however worthy it may be.
Enjoy.

lonestar · Jan 20, 2014

Reminds me of a lot of some old WDC's.

shaintiques · Jan 21, 2014

Beautiful, but wow that is a lot of dough.

petes03 · Jan 21, 2014

Too rich for my blood!

sablebrush52 · Jan 21, 2014

That's a beautiful piece, but the price seems a bit high, even with the elegant metalwork. I haven't seen that filter before. My knowledge of early Comoy's is limited ,but I believe that their top of the line in the early 20th century was the Prima.

For a collector of rare Comoy's, the price might not be that out of line.

jguss · Jan 21, 2014

I think Sam's about right on the dating. The patent on the "stinger" wasn't applied for until November of 1926, and wasn't granted until April of 1927; in other words, the presence of "269082" means the stinger at least, and probably the pipe, dates from mid 1927 or later. As for the silverwork, if it was done by the mfr (which I also find unlikely) wouldn't it be hallmarked?

mso489 · Jan 21, 2014

Other than bands, I don't care for metal work on pipes. Briar's unique property as a material for pipes is

its fireproofing and insulating properties. Then, to add back metal that heats up seems like a fool's errand

to me, but I apologize to those who favor metal embellishments. Each to his own. For that money, if I

budgeted that way, I'd commission a pipe (or two?) with one of the premier artisan carvers, and I would

not ask for metal work.

taerin · Jan 21, 2014

Lets start a pipe lobby mso, we need to protect the rights of pipes everywhere, to be free from metal embellishments, it does nothing but causes the pipe undue stress, pain and increases the chance the collector won't actually smoke it.

sablebrush52 · Jan 21, 2014

I found the original listing, which is on etsy. The seller thinks that the metalwork is aftermarket and not original to the pipe. Still, a lot of do-re-me for that pipe. Also, the seller is clearly not a pipe person, based on the description written in the listing.

ssjones · Jan 21, 2014

I usually read all of Mr. Can's Comoys Ebay listings and think I remember him making the point that the drilled, 3 pc, stem C logo didn't start until the early 1930's. That silverwork sure does look aftermarket, I don't think Comoys pipes commanded quite such an elegant option at the time nor the price point it would have required? (Dunhill did).
I stand corrected, pipehil's info on the logo says:

The “C” logo was first inlaid in the side of the mouthpiece around 1919.

captainsousie · Jan 21, 2014

It's from the 1930's. The Virgin briar line wasn't around until the '30s

I just got my information about the dates from pipedia. The following quote is from the article there.

I have a Virgin Briar dated 1925

With no date given by the article for initial production I had no choice but to assume the date range given by the drilled C, Comoy's name and COM stamp.

The patent on the "stinger" wasn't applied for until November of 1926, and wasn't granted until April of 1927; in other words, the presence of "269082" means the stinger at least, and probably the pipe, dates from mid 1927 or later.

This does significantly narrow down the date range however.

allan · Jan 21, 2014

The Captain mentioned 'gold', not silver work on the pipe.
I'm not sure if that is hand engraving, or some sort of stamping.
If it is hand engraving, it is amazing.
Not for me, though.

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