Antique John Middleton Meerschaum

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uncleblackie

Starting to Get Obsessed
Dec 20, 2014
280
10
Hello all,
This is my first post. I have lurked here for a while and gained much knowledge as a result and I thank you all.
I recently acquired an old John Middleton meerschaum pipe from eBay and I am hoping someone would be able to provide more information about it than I have been able to gather from Google searches.
Here are some pictures:
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img_1215-600x450.jpg

img_1221-600x450.jpg

img_1216-600x450.jpg

img_1217-600x450.jpg

img_1218-600x450.jpg

Overall, I think it is in incredible condition for it's age.
The case is worn on the outside but the push button latch works perfectly and it closes securely. You can still see the "J.M. PHILA" lettering along the edge.
The amber stem has only minor tooth scratches and fits snugly.
The silver ferrule is marked "J.M." in a small half-circle with "Sterling" underneath.
I would really appreciate any information anyone can provide. I can't find anything about John Middleton and meerschaum pipes except that he offered meerschaum repair and boiling services(?). I've read that he offered custom order pipes and perhaps this was a custom order? If I had to guess, I would say it was 1910 or earlier.
Thanks!

 

uncleblackie

Starting to Get Obsessed
Dec 20, 2014
280
10
Also, I plan to send this to Floyd Norwood for cleaning and a possible replacement stem so I can smoke this without worry of damaging the amber.

 

texmexpipe

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 20, 2014
998
246
What a cool looking pipe. Welcome to the forums!

It evokes thoughts of a ship when I look at it. Wish I could shed some light, but you'll just have to settle for the compliment. :)

 

uncleblackie

Starting to Get Obsessed
Dec 20, 2014
280
10
The "keel" seems to function as a grip. I tried smoking a bowl of Commonwealth and it went well except for a flowery/perfumey ghost arriving about halfway through.

 

condorlover1

Lifer
Dec 22, 2013
7,995
26,613
New York
That is a very nice pipe my friend. I would definitely concur with getting another pipe stem as amber can give problems on larger pipes long term. I always find the first few bowls on an old/new pipe to be rather interesting as you get a sense of what the folks of yesterday year smoked.

 

brian64

Lifer
Jan 31, 2011
9,604
14,671
Very interesting and uniquely shaped meer...definitely looks to be in great shape for its age.

 

xrundog

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 23, 2014
737
1
Ames, IA
Oh you dog! I opened bidding on that one. I agree that it is 1900ish. It could easily be 19th century.
It's very, very nice!

 

pitchfork

Lifer
May 25, 2012
4,030
605
John MIddleton was around a long time before becoming synonymous with cans of cherry tobacco. It looks like a 19th-century pipe to me. Trying to think if I've ever seen shapes like that from after 1900, but I don't think so.

 

pitchfork

Lifer
May 25, 2012
4,030
605
Ben Rapaport's site comes in handy, again, here. This isn't definitive, but here's an 1868 catalogue showing a pipe somewhat similar to the one in the OP. At least it has the prominent "keel," which I don't recall seeing on any 20th century pipe. Certainly this Middleton could be a very early one.

Catalog, Kaldenberg & Son, New York, 1868

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.116222565128782.27949.101191206631918&type=1
248729_116222741795431_735951_n.jpg


 

uncleblackie

Starting to Get Obsessed
Dec 20, 2014
280
10
Wow, that certainly resembles mine. Thanks for the info.
Aside from the simple enjoyment of pipes and tobacco, I love the added value of history.

 
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