BBB Meerschaum 'Cutty' Hallmark Dating Issue

[condorlover1]

Here is something for the Sunday afternoon forum nerds! I have quite a few BBB meerschaum 'cutty' pipes most of which I have owned for years. They all get smoked on a very regular basis and quite a few of them have silver bands or repairs which is pare for the course with anything this old. Sundays is my polish silver bands day and routine pipe maintenance since I am guaranteed no dumb arse phone calls requesting instant free gratification legal services/drafting etc. Anyway my question to the panel is how old is this damned BBB pipe. I used to think the hallmark was 1897 but then again it could be from the 1920s although I didn't think BBB made meerschaum 'cutty' pipes that late. I suppose it could be a later repair or something odd. The hallmark is an anchor on its side, lion and the letter X. Any thoughts, guesstimates?

 

[condorlover1]

As an after thought the letters in the box above the hallmark say LB which could be anything -any thoughts?

 

[ashdigger]

My new pipe appears to be 1922 since it’s missing the Queen.

I agree the shaping is fabulous

 

[jguss]

The key of course is the exact “x” involved. I can’t see it from the pics you posted (probably because I’m using my phone) but this should help you; look closely at 1897 and 1922:

 

[ashdigger]

“My” is surely a typo. I meant “your”pipe. ?

 

[jguss]

The LB is for Louis Blumfeld, who basically built the business:



Blumfeld, only 18 at the time of Adolph Frankau’s death, was chosen by Frankau’s widow to run the business on the recommendation of Thomas Carlyle.

 

[condorlover1]

Maybe 1897? The 'X' sure looks that way but then 1922 also might work. Anyone got a 1922 BBB catalogue?

 

[condorlover1]

“My” is surely a typo. I meant “your”pipe. ?

Wishful thinking Tim! I have had this one for years you know - I have quite a number of BBB meerschaum 'cutty' pipes but they are all 1895-1905 and this one is a puzzle!

 

[condorlover1]

@virkia : He is very good with older pipes. Maybe he will pop his head in and render an opinion!

 

[ashdigger]

Here’s an undated BBB which I find interesting. Honestly, I think it’s from the 20’s. No clue why

 

[Ahi Ka]

It’s early here so my brain is foggy. I’ve forgotten the term, but can you tell the shape of the box thingy the ‘x’ is in?

 

[condorlover1]

The box thingy is in a square box with the corners filed off.

 

[condorlover1]

I love iPhone. I just blew up my picture and saw the X is the 1897 variety I think!!

 

[Ahi Ka]

The box thingy is in a square box with the corners filed off.

If it’s missing the diddle at the bottom I’d say that makes it 1897 then

 

[jguss]

I call it a cartouche, but have no idea if that’s the correct term.

 

[jguss]

I love iPhone. I just blew up my picture and saw the X is the 1897 variety I think!!

For what it’s worth that’s certainly consistent with the feel of the pipe and silverwork; much more 1890s than 1920s in my view.

 

[condorlover1]

It's a great pipe and smokes very well - it is ghosted with some form of Victorian Rose Geranium flavor which usually comes out in the last part of the bowl. Makes you wonder what I am tasting!

 

[Ahi Ka]

I call it a cartouche, but have no idea if that’s the correct term.

Yes that. I use that or lozenge.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Here’s an undated BBB which I find interesting. Honestly, I think it’s from the 20’s. No clue why

View attachment 136654

Do you think the difference in colouring at the shank is due to there being a silver band in the past? Or the bone tenon?

 

[condorlover1]

@ashdigger : That pipe is not 1920s. Whilst it is a different style it is similar to those two 'Ripper Pipes' I have from the 19th century that belonged to the Detective on the Ripper case. I guess we really need to look at a BBB catalogue to see what they were selling back in the day.