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There was an attempt to capture the unique visual qualities of amber yet render a far sturdier stem material by mixing genuine powdered amber with resin. The resulting stems were striking and closely approximated true amber’s subtle translucency and shimmer. Here are two examples of stems made from this composite; the first by Jens Tao Nielsen and the second by Peter Heeschen:
Sadly this material is no longer being produced and one must settle for the pale alternative of a yellow acrylic stem in place of the real thing. But that has changed, at least for the short term, by the fine folks at Peterson’s of Dublin.
A few years back, Sykes Wilford and a few associates from SmokingPipes came across a batch of amber at the Peterson factory that was obtained in 1939 but never used - until now. At the behest of Sykes, Tom & Conor Palmer agreed to fashion this amber into silver mounted spigot stems and affix them to a few of Peterson’s popular shapes, thus creating the Amber Stem Series.
I have several antique pipes with genuine amber stems which I treasure dearly but I always wanted a new pipe with an amber stem. The amber stemmed Petes on offer at SmokingPipes were lovely but all featured relatively short stems; a good bit shorter in most cases than their accompanying acrylic stem. I was looking for something a bit more substantial and finally found this gorgeous shape 69 with a prodigious 3.5 inch long amber stem in a nearly continuous arcing bend. Now that’s the ticket! Into the cart it went.
Not only is the amber stem a sight to behold but this beauty features some truly stunning birdseye, highlighted through a warm chestnut stain:
The silverwork, though plain, is first rate as is the norm with this brand. As a side note it seems the craftsmen at Peterson are now stamping their silver spigots in an upside-down orientation:
At first I thought this a fluke and the result of too much Guinness at lunchtime but noticed all of the newer spigots to be stamped this way. The only thing consistent in the world of Peterson is their inconsistency, which adds to their charm.
Putting this baby through its paces I filled her with a measure of John Cotton’s Smyrna and settled back for a most enjoyable respite. Though the walls are not thick, the pipe smoked surprisingly cool and utterly dry. There was the slightest hint of an unidentifiable taste coming through the John Cotton's and I’m not sure whether it’s the amber or the bowl treatment but I suspect the later. Whatever from, it’s not at all disagreeable. A very good smoke indeed.
By way of comparison, I offer this venerable old Pete from my collection, a 1906 Peterson’s Patent with the original amber stem still largely intact.
This particular piece has a pretty rare DUBLIN stamping just below the Peterson’s Patent stamp:
It wasn’t until 1916 that a city/country of origin stamp was generally included on Peterson’s pipes, and this began with “Made in Ireland.” I have one other Patent from 1911 that also has the DUBLIN stamping but these are the only ones I know of.
I love this old Pete and it’s a real treat to smoke a rarity that was made three years before the Titanic’s keel was laid in Belfast Harbour. And it smokes as fine today as it did the day it was made. In fact, probably even better. I only wish I could enjoy her more often but prudence dictates caution, being the clumsy oaf I am. Vulcanite stems can usually survive a moderate fall but amber will shatter beyond repair. That’s why the new Amber Series Petes also come with an acrylic stem so you can still enjoy the pipe – albeit in less style - in places or situations inhospitable to amber’s delicate nature.
The 69 Spigot with accompanying acrylic stem. Quite a difference!
Now if only I could find a matching 69 from Peterson’s Horn Stem Series! :
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