Anyone Purchased from Novelli?

[GCabot]

I am considering whether to purchase an estate pipe from Novelli, which appears to be a store in Rome. The pipe I am looking at is described as being in “good” condition, which, when I inquired, apparently means that the pipe has been smoked regularly, but does not have any defect or damage, and that the chamber is smooth without any issues.

I was wondering if anyone has had any experiencing purchasing from Novelli, especially not in person? Having never bought a vintage pipe before, is “good” condition as described above something of which I should be concerned? Would it make more sense to wait for a pipe that is graded in better condition?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[paulfg]

its your call but its an estate pipe.
If its described as good which " apparently means that the pipe has been smoked regularly, but does not have any defect or damage, and that the chamber is smooth without any issues."
unless the pipe is unsmoked or nearly so you wont get better surely,of course age comes into it as well.
My expectations would be different if the pipe is 1 year old to a pipe 100 years old

 

[GCabot]

of course age comes into it as well.
My expectations would be different if the pipe is 1 year old to a pipe 100 years old

I am not sure of the exact date, but based on the markings, it was made between 1952 and 1954, so it is pretty old. Everything looks to be in good condition from the pictures, but I am not sure what potential issues I should be looking out for with a pipe of that age, if any.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

Novelli is an extremely reputable shop. The owner,Marco Parenscenzo, has been the distributor for Castello in the US for many years. A few years ago, he also became the Distributor for Dunhill in the US.

 

[rodo]

I'll second the endorsement of Novelli. Had a lovely hour there a couple of years back, great service and knowledge. Bought a fab Viprati for a good price (for Rome). Good people.