Anthony,
I must first start by thanking you for your remarkable work in restoring this little piece of history for me. What an excellent job you have done in the resurrection of a pipe that is exactly a century old.
On a stormy winters day here in Southern Ontario, I searched for something to do, somewhere to go with my little one year old daughter. There is a small auction house down the road, they hold an auction every other month, typically selling complete estates from the local area. I figured the auction would be somewhere fun to take her as no doubt she would enjoy the sound of the auctioneer chant and all of the people. Interestingly, I recently learned that the auctioneer chant was developed by Chiswell Dabney Langhorne, in Danville VA, home of the Danville System of selling tobacco and known as the World's Best Tobacco Market WBTM.
Due mostly to the weather I suppose, there wasn't much of a crowd at the auction. I reviewed all of the items and wasn't really interested in too much that was to be sold other than a little lot of 8 old tobacco pipes. Having nothing much better to do and the poor weather I figured I'd hang around with the little one and bid on the pipes if they were a decent price. I'm not an expert or avid pipe smoker, nor did I have any experience with estate pipes. I've smoked a Brigham pipe for about 12 years but not daily, just when the mood would strike or during special events etc. I thought if the pipes were cheap it would be neat to try out some different styles and see how they compared to the Brigham.
Not a soul bid on the pipes, except for me. I purchased all 8 pipes for 2.50$ Canadian each. A total investment of 20$ CDN. I had no idea what I had purchased but I was happy to have "won" the one man bidding war!
I went home and joined a pipe forum, posted photos and info on the makers marks found on the pipes and waited. It didn't take long before it became evident I had won not just the auction but a metaphorical, estate pipe lottery. Pictured above is the pièce de résistance of the lot.
It is important to note that at the auction, there was several pieces of World War 1 artifacts including, photographs, uniform parts and other paraphernalia. Since purchasing the pipes I have gone back to the auction house and was able to confirm the owner of the pipes was in fact a military member. Many of you reading this will be familiar with the Dunhill brand, and the history of the company gifting pipes to officers of the commonwealth during The Great War, while serving in overseas deployment. Although I have not been able to 100 percent verify the previous owner fought in WWI, based on the evidence of photos and talking with the auction house I am fairly certain he did. If things are as they appear, this pipe, owned by a Canadian Officer likely saw action during The Great War.
To add to this story, the pipe is dated to 1917, I purchased it exactly 100 years after it's creation and I too am a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. This pipe returned to me from Anthony in Danville VA, just a few days ago, after he completed his expert restoration work. Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France. The victory at Vimy was a defining moment for Canada and sadly many brave, young soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice. 3598 Canadians were killed, another 7000 wounded in a period of only 4 days.
I will never know the full history of this pipe, and that's ok. What I do know, is that I'm incredibly lucky to be it's owner. Yes, this pipe is worth money, but to me, it's priceless. The historic value is more important to me and I'm thrilled I was able to find someone like Anthony that was able to give it the love and makeover it desperately needed. I've been a soldier for 11 years now and having served in Afghanistan, I have an appreciation for "the little things" soldiers cherish and carry with them to keep "home" close to the heart. Often smoke breaks are venues for both careless and heavy conversations for commrades to get things off one's chest. Given the age of this pipe and it's heavily smoked condition when found, it's safe to say it was well enjoyed for many years and provided distraction and comfort for the man that carried it. Now back in my possession, it will again be cherished and used with respect for both the pipe and the man who once owned it.
Tonight on the anniversary of VImy, a battle that defined a small nation exactly 100 years ago, I am honoured to smoke from this pipe and remember those that have gone before.
Lest we forget.
