Peterson "Premier Selection" 9BC

ssjones · Apr 27, 2015

A few weeks ago, Steve Laug shared a Mark Irwin (co-authoring the upcoming Peterson book) blog on the Peterson Shape 9BC, a chubby billiard. My comment was "Oh-oh, you just added another shape to my “Holy Grail” list…."
https://petersonpipenotes.wordpress.com/2015/04/19/peterson-chubbies-part-2-the-old-9bc/
Last night, watching some auctions end, this one showed up, with 44 minutes to go. It was a Pre-Rebublic, but not listed as such. It appeared to be the shape 9BC, although the picture of the shape stamp was unclear. It stayed reasonable and I managed to win the auction, with a bid in the final seconds (despite 2 bid retractions again).
In communication with the seller, he confirmed it is a 9BC. I had to do some research on the Premier Selection grade as I'm not super familiar with Peterson grading. The Premier Selection was just below the Deluxe. Mark commented on his blog that there were less Premiers made than Deluxe pipes. The straight line "Made in Ireland" COM was used from 1947-1949, according to Pipepedia.
The pipe looks to be in terrific shape. The seller said he bought it in 2000 from the founder of the original Tinderbox on Wilshire Blvd.
I'm looking forward to getting this one in hand, my second Pre-Republic Peterson.

gloucesterman · Apr 27, 2015

Nice catch. I've never been a big fan of the P-lip but I do like Peterson's in general. I think they have some of the best traditional bulldog shapes on the market. I have a Squire and a Captain Pete and I love them both. Enjoy. Dutch

buroak · Apr 28, 2015

ssjones, You did not keep us long in waiting for pictures. That is in great shape, especially for such an old pipe. You should not have to do much to bring it up to your standards.

ssjones · May 1, 2015

Well, the pipe finally arrived (it was held up at the Baltimore USPS distribution center due to those shenanigans)
What a beauty and not little at 70 grams. I was surprised to find it had an inlaid, silver P stem logo and a wooden, screw-in stinger (removed).
I finished the pipe tonight and it's in my bag for our trip to Puerto Rico for the test run.
I did a blog entry at Steve's site:

http://rebornpipes.com/2015/05/01/peterson-premiere-selected-9bc/

gloucesterman · May 1, 2015

Nicely done, enjoy. A really nice addition to an already impressive collection. Dutch

JimInks · May 1, 2015

Great pipe! I have "Premiere" but it's a 1980 model (or that was when I bought it new at my local Tinderbox). Mine smokes great. So will yours.

ssjones · May 2, 2015

I wondered how long they made the Premiere line. Mark Irwin commented in the blog, that the stinger is actually made of bone and is known as a chimney.

papipeguy · May 2, 2015

That's a wonderful find, Al, and the "chimney" is unique. I've never seen one. Enjoy it.

ssjones · May 2, 2015

I just smoked it for the first time, breaking her in right. Not bad, the p-lip draw is quite good, the shape feel a little odd but I think that I could get used to this.

pylorns · May 3, 2015

Thanks for the extra info on the premier selection as I had snagged one too from pipestud and was doing some digigng to find more about it. Had it restored by walker pipe repair its a Premier Selection 255
before:

after:

ssjones · May 3, 2015

I'm always happy to help a piper out of some funds! That looks terrific, your inlaid P is perfect.

Welcome to the Premiere Club...

mattia76 · May 8, 2015

I just joined the Pre Republic Peterson Premiere Club as well.
This one is bigger than a lot I've seen. A Group 5 or a large 4, and just a classy Pete.

forum image hosting

ssjones · May 8, 2015

That is a gorgeous dog, is there a shape number on that one? Does yours or Pylorns have the screw-in chimney?

jkrug · May 8, 2015

Some great pipes there everyone. Clasic beauties for sure.

mattia76 · May 9, 2015

Oh wow. I have examined the inside of the tenon. At first glance I thought it was just a nice, wide tenon. But I just saw the threading on the inside. In any case, no bone or wooden chimney stinger came with it, but must have originally been a part of it.
The shape number is X155.
The Grain on this pipe is killer. All Birdseye heel, with fine, tight Straight Grain up both sides. Only falls off for about 1/6 of the bowl in the very front where it just looks like small finger prints.

ssjones · May 10, 2015

I really like that X155 shape. I have a no-found appreciation for older P-lip stems. The stems just don't have the same profile with a fishtale button.

docwatson · May 10, 2015

Great pipe Al. I was fortunate to find one at the Vegas show last November. A pre-republic 9BC DeLuxe. I just love the way it smokes. I'm sure you will enjoy that beauty.

Andy

ssjones · May 10, 2015

I'd like to see that Deluxe Andy, can you post a picture?

beefeater33 · May 10, 2015

That's a great looking pipe Al. :clap:

I missed this thread the first time 'round......

Interesting info about the "chimney"....I never knew it was bone! I have an old Meer- lined Peterson billiard with the chimney in it. It came in a box of estates, and I've not cleaned her up yet............

dixie · Oct 18, 2015

SS…Since you posted this I went crazy looking for a pre-republic 9BC. I had no idea of its existence and my PAD senses went crazy! I came across this 9BC Supreme on the bay a few weeks ago and spent more than I wanted to…but…what a smoker! Now in my regular rotation and a favorite.

My small collection of Supremes…The Pre-Republic 9BC, a Supreme XL02 and a Pre-Republic Supreme X69.

Peterson "Premier Selection" 9BC

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