Charatan “Cup and Saucer” Pipe

[craig61a]

I have been revisiting pipes that I have not smoked in some time.

One of these is a Charatan “Cup and Saucer”. Rather large, Group 5 size. From published information, it would have been made sometime between 1966-1979.

Supposedly there was no shape number associated with these. But after taking it out I noticed the ‘2’ stamped on the right hand side of the shank. It’s a Special, so middle of the road grade. I was wondering what the 2 stamping might denote...

 

[Civil War]

Nice pipe. Charatans are amongst my top three favorite makers.

 

[eugenepark]

That finish is so rich and deep. Shape is interesting too!

 

[greeneyes]

I was going to sell this pipe on eBay for a friend, but ended up keeping it. I call it the 'caput femur' pipe, for the obvious similarity to the head of a femur. It's a beautiful pipe, though the size and forward cant make it impossible to look into the bowl when you're lighting the tobacco.

 

[kenbarnes]

Hi craig61a
I think this Charatan freehand was made between 1967-1975. I think this 'City of London' script made its appearance around 1967 or possibly 1968? The earlier pieces were stamped Made By Hand on the reverse side. If the grain on the front side was similar to the grain on the reverse side then this pipe would have been graded as an 'Executive'. On 'Free shapes' i.e. not catalogue machine-turned shapes, the number 2 would denote the size of the pipe as different sizes commanded different prices.
Nice pipe which was turned by either Barry Jones or Stan Haney and shaped by Joan Nicholson.

 

[craig61a]

Thank you Ken for that information! That makes perfect sense as to the numbering.

I had never seen one with a number before so it piqued my curiosity. Not that I’ve seen 100’s of these up close and personal...

 

[mikethompson]

Very cool shape! Never seen that before. Kind of reminds me of a little hand holding the bowl.

 

[craig61a]

Very cool shape! Never seen that before. Kind of reminds me of a little hand holding the bowl.

Here’s a Don Lou pipe with a hand holding a bowl...