I was told they were mail order only!
The Star Grades may have been.
I am stunned.
That likely was catalog number 1.
All shapes shown in this catalogue are available
as follows:
the ustnumber indicates
the
number
"Stars (and therefore, price), Thus, a one "Star"
pipe
is designated 1-01. The same shane in the two
quality would be 2-0l, and in the three "Star
qualits
3-01, ete.
All "Star
pipes are HAND FINISHED and
and Walnut or Suntan in the one Star" pricerange: in the two"Star price range the finish is "Star.
Grain";
in the three Star price range the unisn 18 a Virgin finish; and in the four and five
priceranges the finishes are Natural-Grain.
—-
I know, I have exactly one very early Two Star that’s marked Star Grain.
I know, that only the first advertisements in newspapers and magazines list a $3.50 One Star
I know, that soon after 1946 Gold Coast was the dollar drug store pipe and Briarlee became an option on mail order Lees.
I know, that most of my Three Stars (maybe 75% of Lees) are not “Virgin” but tan, and some walnut.
Those Lee Star Grades even in that catalog were custom order.
Briarlee was $1 and there were displays.
Gold Coast was $3.50 and there were displays.
And look at all the cigarette holders!
Why, are there no advertisements I’ve ever seen (not catalogs) that say
If your dealer has none, write Lee?
That catalog was not sent to a customer responding to an advertisement.
That was sent to a retail merchant.
Wow.
