Carey “Magic Inch” Shop Find

[FishNChips]

Stopped by my local antique shop on the way home. A mix of vintage and shabby chic. There was some pipe stuff but nothing I cared for or was willing to spend. I saw this little pipe and grabbed it for $6. A Carey Magic Inch. I was an impulse buy as it was cheap and looked nice enough, and I was not sure if it was old/collectible so took a chance. I know nothing about these, but it does says “Made in England.”

If this has been smoked it was only a time or two. The bowl is like new and I do not smell any tobacco in it. The filter looks pretty clean. The burl and design looks nice.

I looked at Pipedia and Pipephil but do not see a way to date these. I see they are still made today. Not sure if it will be a user but will look good on my pipe display.

Thanks!

 

[solideogloria86]

Smoke it and see what you think. Might be a favorite. It's probably not worth much, there's tons of them out there.
They always show up at flea markets and on ebay in estate lots. In the same line as Grabow and Medico.
It's probably worth more than $6,and definitely worth way more if you like how it smokes.
.

 

[jpberg]

Stopped by my local antique shop on the way home. A mix of vintage and shabby chic. There was some pipe stuff but nothing I cared for or was willing to spend. I saw this little pipe and grabbed it for $6. A Carey Magic Inch. I was an impulse buy as it was cheap and looked nice enough, and I was not sure if it was old/collectible so took a chance. I know nothing about these, but it does says “Made in England.”

If this has been smoked it was only a time or two. The bowl is like new and I do not smell any tobacco in it. The filter looks pretty clean. The burl and design looks nice.

I looked at Pipedia and Pipephil but do not see a way to date these. I see they are still made today. Not sure if it will be a user but will look good on my pipe display.

Thanks!

You got as good a one as they made. The patent numbers were the best of them - by the time they turned to “Grecian Briar”, they’d started to lose their luster.

 

[jpberg]

And if you don’t like the slots on the stem, wrap some electrical tape over them.

 

[FishNChips]

And if you don’t like the slots on the stem, wrap some electrical tape over them.

I have seen plenty of pipes without the slots with electrical tape! LOL

 

[weezell]

I used to have quite a few Careys and they were all great smokers. The "Magic Inch" system does work as intended...

 

[FishNChips]

You guys convinced me, I will have to try it. I will give it a good alcohol clean and see how I like it. It is a nice looking pipe and probably deserves to be used.

 

[jpberg]

I used to have quite a few Careys and they were all great smokers. The "Magic Inch" system does work as intended...

No shit? I never ever got on with those vents.

 

[FurCoat]

That pipe seems to be in great shape. Can't beat that for 6 bucks.

 

[Grangerous]

I think that’s a magic find!

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Nice pickup. Enjoy!?️

 

[Briar Lee]

That apple shape, in a walnut smooth finish, was the first really nice pipe I bought in 1974, by mail order. I was 16 and earned $1.25 an hour working at a marina 80 hours a week, and someplace I probably have the cancelled check that was about $15 with shipping.

I was ecstatic with my pipe. No way I’d break it with a hammer and send it back for a full refund, like the “free 30 day trial” advertisement offered.

I still own that pipe, and it’s still good. I’ve ordered several more over the years, since.

You can either tape the vents with electricians tape or slip a short section of drinking straw instead of the “paperite” sleeve to defeat the “Magic Inch” feature that does three things:

1. it meters in a tiny amount of air in the smoke stream. Carey’s “Duncan Hill Areosphere” pipes accomplish the same thing by a tiny brass fitting with a hole.

2. The special paper sleeve wicks away moisture. It’s wet after a smoke.

3. I think there’s a small amount of filtering. The paper sleeve eventually turns brown then black, from absorbing tars, and you replace it.

Of every gadget, including the Kaywoodie and Lee metal stingers, ever placed on a pipe, I like Carey’s the best.

Those era pipes were made in London, and as previously stated are the tops of Carey production.

Later pipes were stamped Italy, I’ve seen some made in Greece and Israel, and then for years they were made in Oklahoma USA, and it seems now are again made in Italy.

Pipes

www.eacarey.com

An E A Carey pipe is like an old friend, to me.