A Monster Castello

[autumnfog]

Stumbled upon this prehistoric behemoth when pipe searching, thought it could be interesting.

"Storia di radica e fumo"

www.napolitoday.it

 

[ssjones]

That looks like Rich Esserman's Holy Grail. I bet he comments on this pipe in his next article in The Pipe Collector. (hopefully, everyone gets a membership!)

 

[tobakenist]

My whole bank account would not fill that.

 

[vosBghos]

What a mammoth of beauty, red Virginia's anyone?

 

[ssjones]

What a mammoth of beauty, red Virginia's anyone?

Nah, straight Latakia or maybe a good strong rope.

 

[kcghost]

I found it rather ugly to say nothing of its size. It's friggin' huge.

 

[captpat]

Not to my taste either. Seems to be a case of doing something just because you can, as opposed to crafting several great and usable pipes out of that piece of briar.

 

[ssjones]

By my tastes, giant pipes are rarely attractive, just giant.
Castello G/GG, etc do seem proportionally correct, but those would be far from giant sized.

 

[Searock Fan]

Interesting piece!

A couple of things come to mind.

First, I would bet money that the piece of briar it's made from had some major flaw and is the reason the front edge of the bowl is shaped the way it is.

Second: Years ago there were 2 pipe shops (names escape me) that were located close to each other near the Spanish Steps. One of these had a Castello in the front window. I was kind of like the famous Castello full bent egg shape, brown Searock finish and was at least twice the size of this pipe. I inquired about it and was told it was not for sale. I would have loved to buy it.

 

[Waning Embers]

I found it rather ugly to say nothing of its size. It's friggin' huge.

I like the size but the rustication is very uninspired. Looks like a knock-off Savinelli Corallo di Mare rustication. The stem design is much too small and too severely bent for the overall design.

 

[ssjones]

I like the size but the rustication is very uninspired. Looks like a knock-off Savinelli Corallo di Mare rustication. The stem design is much too small and too severely bent for the overall design.

Agreed,giant pipes are often grotesque, you can't us a giant stem, so it has to be of a normal size.
And as Searockfan posted, the briar almost has to be a compromise in numerous areas.

 

[Waning Embers]

Agreed,giant pipes are often grotesque, you can't us a giant stem, so it has to be of a normal size.
And as Searockfan posted, the briar almost has to be a compromise in numerous areas.

The Old Antiquari finish would've made the appearance much better. A stem two inches longer with a saddle would've made the overall composition look complete. As is, it appears to end too abruptly.

 

[Waning Embers]

I'd buy this.

 

[Searock Fan]

We all like different shapes, sizes and finishes in pipes. The pic shows my favorite pipe, a Castello Searock billiard with saddle bit and the older the better. I have several and am always on the lookout for more, so I think you can understand why I would not smoke a pipe like the one in question. Each to his own.

 

[LEP7cv]

I found it rather ugly to say nothing of its size. It's friggin' huge.

insert "that's what she said" joke here..

 

[AJL67]

Well we know what happened to one of Hellboy’s horns.

 

[PipeCat]

Hope that's registered with the FBI as deadly weapon! lol!! It's huuuuuuge and grotesquely beautiful!

 

[bigpipeguy]

That looks like Rich Esserman's Holy Grail. I bet he comments on this pipe in his next article in The Pipe Collector. (hopefully, everyone gets a membership!)

I have tried to buy this pipe but Castello will not sell.

 

[daveinlax]

I have tried to buy this pipe but Castello will not sell.

lol Richard, 3 posts in 14 years defines your Lurker status.
Here is me and the big pipe guy discussing our PM.com post count in August.
https://i.imgur.com/cKI2v9y.jpg

 

[ssjones]

lol Richard, 3 posts in 14 years defines your Lurker status.
Here is me and the big pipe guy discussing our PM.com post count in August.

https://imgur.com/cKI2v9y

I'm fortunate to have met both of you!