Some Interesting Ebay Auctions (Nov 29, 2015)

ssjones · Nov 29, 2015

Some interesting auctions closed this weekend. Thoughts?
A set of WDC meerschaum "billiard Balls" pipe

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181939420040?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
1885 Barling Churchwarden (missing one section of stem). Wow!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351578301971?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
WWII Clay Peterson System pipe, went cheaper than I would have guessed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161895351922?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Some savy Peterson fan grabbed this one, sold by Mark Irwin. An unsmoked, Supreme XL90, used for the shape in his upcoming book.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111830753894?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Peterson XL999. At least one forum member was watching this one, I'm hoping he grabbed it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/252180572567?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
1938 Dunhill Shell, with an impossibly pencil-thin Canadian. How does something like this survive?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371490118485?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
And the corker, a Jess Conowitsch.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351583458262?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&autorefresh=true

peteguy · Nov 29, 2015

I followed that Chonowitsch just to see the final result. I was tempted to toss out a bid just to say I participated.

mayfair70 · Nov 29, 2015

Thanks ssjones!
Those are all stunning and I would be proud to own any of them. I can say in all seriousness that I just learned something about myself. I would pay $4,000 for the Jess Conowitsch in a heartbeat.
:wink:

gloucesterman · Nov 29, 2015

That guy who got the XL 90 was a savvy player indeed. A unsmoked pipe to be featured in an upcoming book is an excellent investment. I wonder if that one stays unsmoked.

dmcmtk · Nov 29, 2015

The Barling's is just amazing piece. I would say the "bargain" was the Dunhill, mostly because of the shape and the condition of the pipe. The stem...well a question was asked and answered, but the right question wasn't asked...

sablebrush52 · Nov 30, 2015

Yep, some nice pieces this week. I considered buying the Barling, but I honestly don't need another ancient pipe that I probably won't often smoke. It's not a churchwarden, BTW, it's what was once referred to as a library pipe, whose length could be altered to suit the needs and comfort of the smoker. At least the stem fitment was still with the pipe, so it will be easy to make a stem, probably amber, for the final section. The problem is with the albatross bone extensions. They dry out over time and crack. If that puppy is lit up without properly treating them, the moisture may cause them to fail. Not my cup of tea at this point in time.

georged · Nov 30, 2015

I hereby move, second, and pass the motion that Mr. SS Jones post his weekly watchlist, well, weekly. :D
Also, that Mr. S. Brush is required to comment on one or more of them.
Great conversation material and learning opportunity rolled into one.

condorlover1 · Nov 30, 2015

I picked up a rather nice 'cutty' in a case circa 1895 for $11 which I was surprised no one else wanted. You can pick up some incredible bargains on Ebay if you look very carefully although I seem to do really well on Ebay France and Germany!

ssjones · Nov 30, 2015

I don't know if this happens every weekend, but it certainly was interesting
@dmcmtk - I see your point and missed the question!
@Sable - I have seen "Library" pipes, thanks for that information. I think that one is a good example of "display only".
@Glouchesterman - As for the unsmoked Pete, I hope it gets enjoyed.

buroak · Nov 30, 2015

The stem...well a question was asked and answered, but the right question wasn't asked...

dmcmtk, I think I know where you are going with this, but what was the "right question"?
ssjones, This pipe did not garner the astronomical sum the Chonowitsch pulled, but I think it might deserve an honorable mention: $1,044.57 Ashton Magnum
Also, there was this unusual Dunhill Army Mount. A filter pipe?

ssjones · Nov 30, 2015

How did I miss that 107 gram Ahston?
That Dunhill stem is odd, I can't say I've seen that style on a Dunhill before.

dmcmtk · Nov 30, 2015

dmcmtk, I think I know where you are going with this, but what was the "right question"?

The question that should have been asked was "Is it the original stem?", at least for an "on the record" yes, no, maybe, don't know...

georged · Nov 30, 2015

That 2-piece stem is definitely original.
The only explanation I can come up with is removing the button half let it double as a cigarette holder.
Not really a practical idea for a number of reasons, but back in the day the Dunhill custom---a.k.a. "customer design"---department would take on about anything. (I suspect having something personalized in that way had significant social status appeal in the pre-war / pre-Danish years, when pipes all looked alike.)
PS --- I just saw buroak's filter suggestion. That makes much more sense than a cigarette holder.

sablebrush52 · Nov 30, 2015

That Dunhill reminds me of the Barling TP - Travel Pipe. The shank screws into the bowl right at the junction, and the stem twists into the mortise like a normal stem. When broken apart the pipe can fit neatly into a small pocket, like a watch pocket.

Since Dunhills came with a stinger, why would they also use a filter?

georged · Nov 30, 2015

Since Dunhills came with a stinger, why would they also use a filter?

If there's one thing about the mid-20th century when it came to pipe designs, rationality had little to do with many of them---whatever "sounded good" often ruled the day (carburetor pipes, anyone?)---and outright goofiness wasn't unknown.
In 1948, between 20 and 25% of all adult American males smoked a pipe. In Europe the percentage might have been higher. The profit margins were high, and the market was huge. But differentiating your product from the hundreds of other brands was a bitch. All pipes are basically a chunk of wood, a chunk of rubber, and two holes. Cue the Distinctiveness Committee in charge of pre-focus-group-era Brilliant Ideas.
I don't smoke such pipes or even own any, but I can appreciate the history they represent. Plus, things like bowls with cooling fins...
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1858&bih=963&q=porsche+design+pipe&oq=porsche+pipe&gs_l=img.1.2.0l2j0i8i30l8.2011.8615.0.12304.12.9.0.3.3.0.86.721.9.9.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.12.728.BcDWP1Bg4M8
...have considerable entertainment value in their own right. :D

buroak · Nov 30, 2015

dmcmtk, That is where I thought you were going. I skip over that seller's listings, but that was one of my first thoughts upon seeing the pipe.
georged, Cigarette holder was my original guess, too. I know they made their carbureted "Airstream" at least until the late 1970s, so who knows what else they were putting on the market.
sablebrush52, Your point about the inner tube is well taken. All I can say is that this pipe, being from late 1970s/early 1980s, may have been intended for the 9mm filter crowd on the Continent. That is still just speculation on my part. By the way, I would love to see an example of Barling's Travel Pipe.

pruss · Nov 30, 2015

Nice conversation, lads, great information and consideration all around.
Al, I passed on the XL999. While I covet it, it was at the price where I had to answer the terrible question, "Do I really want to spend $100.00 right now on a pipe that is going to be number ten in the queue of personal pipes needing restoration and repair?"
Damned if I don't hate that question.
-- Pat

okiescout · Dec 1, 2015

Ssjones, the birds eye on that Peterson XL90 Supreme Chubby Bent Billiard was amazing.
Great thread.

carver · Dec 15, 2015

I'd love to use ebay more, but they only let me bid on one item

Some Interesting Ebay Auctions (Nov 29, 2015)

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