1920 Dunhil DR - A Tale Of 2 Different Auctions

[misterlowercase]

I posted about this pipe earlier in another thread,

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/a-very-beautiful-old-bbb#post-723791
I was stupid not to bid on it I reckon,

dammit.

:|

Vintage Briar Estate Pipe

...a rare under-the-radar early Dunhill!
Anyway,

this looks like the very same pipe, and I'm pretty sure it is:

c1920 DUNHILL DR = DEAD ROOT Straight Grain, English 1912 Patent “INNER TUBE”
This newer auction is much different in that the pics are superb, a bit of research has been done, a great description, a good proper cleaning, adding an old box (not original to the pipe but still cool), and being sold by a very reputable seller.
The auction ends tomorrow, I'm interested to see the final hammer price!
As of right now there are 88 watchers.
::

 

[sablebrush52]

It's the same Dunhill. Notice that there's a square stamp next to the word "London". I'm not as fluent in Dunhill as I was when I used to collect them, but I believe, and could be wrong about this, that the square denoted a specific subdivision within the classification, a slightly better grade.
Doug seen his opportunity and took it.
The other seller was incorrect in his statement that he could not cancel his auction because there was a bid on the pipe. A listing can be cancelled for a listing error, and this would certainly have qualified.
The two auctions point out the importance of correctly identifying the item for sale and for providing the best possible presentation. Doug is a professional photographer, so he certainly knows how to photograph his merchandise.

 

[ivapewithfire]

I moused over the photos and it kept playing the tune "Bow-ckicka-wow-wow".
Hmm...

 

[buroak]

Valitchka is good at finding poorly represented pipes on the cheap and then profitably re-selling them through the use of great photography and knowledgeable description.

 

[huntertrw]

"Notice that there's a square stamp next to the word "London"."
In his book titled "The Dunhill Briar Pipe - The Patent Years and After" the late John Loring stated, "As discussed in connection with the "A" stamping, prior to the war, if not after, up ticking in DR pricing was apparently signified by square subscript stops." Might this explain the subject stamp?

 

[ssjones]

Adding the old Dunhill box to the photos was also a savy move but a smart seller. I'll also be watching to see where the final bid lands.

 

[dmcmtk]

Put it on the watch list, I hope Doug does well with it!

 

[sablebrush52]

In his book titled "The Dunhill Briar Pipe - The Patent Years and After" the late John Loring stated, "As discussed in connection with the "A" stamping, prior to the war, if not after, up ticking in DR pricing was apparently signified by square subscript stops." Might this explain the subject stamp?

Yep, that's it. Slightly better grade of DR, slightly higher pricing to the customer. Haven't quite forgotten my Dunhill.

 

[misterlowercase]

Looking around at finalized auctions for another post about old pipe boxes,

I came across this box too!

:P
The small $15 investment not only adds a bit of unique class to the current auction, but it also can stimulate certain collectors "crazy glands" and make them secrete bidwar juices!
Vintage Dunhill Pipe Box, (box only no pipe) For shape 36 Root Briar
:puffpipe:

 

[sablebrush52]

That's very funny! This is like watching a forensic investigation take place. Doug's moves are being tracked.
Having a box and sock is nice and does improve the bids. My only issue is when a seller makes claims about the box being "original". It rarely is.

 

[misterlowercase]

It was a total happenstance chance find, but it tickled me too.

:P

 

[peteguy]

I lost out on a A. Curtz some while back. About a 3 weeks later the pipe re-appeared from valitchka and sold for 3x what the first one did. The only difference I could see was the quality and number of photos. My assumption at the time was the first go around was a steal and I should have bid more.

 

[misterlowercase]

It went for $675.

 

[sablebrush52]

It went for $675.

Not a bad return for a couple of hours work!

 

[dmcmtk]

It went for $675.

Good for Doug!

 

[misterlowercase]

In Dunhill world it seems the later made DR pipes are more in demand and fetch the mad mad money,

kind of odd because it's usually opposite with the early pipes bringin' big bucks...
...maybe it's the stars?

although they look more like asterisks to me!

:mrgreen:

 

[ssjones]

The DR pipes always appear to be more hype than substance to me. However, I have never seen one in person. They definitely sell for a premium.