Yep, I'm "upshallfan" on the Reborn Pipes blog. I have six Upshalls, mostly P's (one S, one B and one ungraded). I was just talking to a pipe friend who was looking at my pipe case this past weekend. He saw all the British pipes and asked why I don't own any Dunhills. (I've owned two) I told him I'd rather own two Upshalls for the cost of one Dunhill.
The wood on a P is excellent, always without blemishes. I like the stem work and button, they aren't wide open, ala Castello but a touch less (which I find to be perfect). They always pass a cleaner.
Downsides: Sometimes the vulcanite can oxidize quickly (I restore my own pipes, so that isn't an issue). Most of the P grades are large, 70 grams plus. My S is like a Group 4 as is my B grade Silver Spigot. I have a couple of monsters, that are over 80 grams. A lot of times P-grades go under the radar. B or G grades, no matter the condition bring big bucks.
This G grade ended today, it need a lot of work, still sold high:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/James-Upshall-Tobacco-Pipe-/200975041843?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ecb0bc533
$125, excellent pipe:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JAMES-UPSHALL-P-GRADED-PIPE-WITH-STRAIGHT-GRAIN-AND-BOX-SOCK-PIPESTUD-/390675330234?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5af61074ba
$111, I don't need another Large P grade, but that is a lot of pipe for the money.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXCELLENT-James-Upshall-P-GRADE-LARGE-CLASSIC-3-4-BENT-APPLE-ENGLISH-Estate-Pipe-/400585815663?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d44c6766f
A grade pipes are below a P (their grading system makes no sense..), this is pricey for an A, but in an rare shape that I wish was on my rack. I love tapered stem Rhodesians.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXCELLENT-James-Upshall-A-GRADE-3-4-BENT-RHODESIAN-FREEHAND-ENGLISH-Estate-Pipe-/400565793978?hash=item5d4394f4ba
"Tilshead" pipes are also great values - they are pipes with some flaw. I don't own a Tilshead, but know guys who do and they smoke as well as a graded Upshall (Upshalls have "JU" on the stem, Tilshead pipes don't)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-Refurb-Tilshead-James-Upshall-Made-By-Hand-Estate-Tobacco-Smoking-Pipes-/321222724378?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aca5dcb1a
Grade for Upshalls is:
I've seen a few sandblasts, but didn't care much for their stems, they didn't look handcut to me.
I've never seen a "Dress" grade.
S grades are usually in a red stain
P's are usually excellent grained pipes
B, G and E grade grains are terrific.
I've never seen an X!