Comoys "Exceptional Grade"?

[ssjones]

This Comoys grade is mentioned in Derek Green article (he mentions owning one). But, I've never seen on on the web until this Ebay offering popped up. I don't think I'm blowing up anyones spot here by posting this. It is a fantastic looking pipe. It will be fun to watch the action on this one. This seller doesn't appear to have previously sold ultra-high grades pipes, which won't help.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=321107428826&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:3160

 

[jah76]

Awesome that thing comes with it's own show horn.
On a serious note. I am always amazed just how far carvers can go with wood. I can't even make a straight line with a ruler and these guys can bend and flow wood like it's water.
I bet that pipe looks fantastic in person. In all three dimensions.

 

[allan]

Is that fold over piece part of the original briar, or added on?
If that is one piece, I can't even imagine how that was done.

 

[rigmedic1]

That is a beautiful pipe, probably worth what is being asked. I don't think I could swing it if I sold my entire collection though.

 

[ssjones]

I'm surprised they didn't have the pipe restored (stem).

 

[fishnbanjo]

I'm with rothnh, I have pipes that still maintain their oxidation, to me it's patina. Would you take a black powder rifle with brass on it and polish it to shine? I sure as heck would not it takes a long time for the brass to begin to plum up, i.e. a plum coloring begins to show. Sterilize and keep it clean and I'm happy, I'm sure the new owner will do whatever makes them happy too.

 

[ssjones]

Well, I meant restored and resold by someone who knows how to handle high-end pipes (Mike @ BriarBlues, etc.)

 

[docwatson]

Thanks for the link, Al. Definitely one of the nicest Comoy pipes I've ever seen. There's quite a few collectors of these out there, I know a bunch of them and will be interested to see who ends up with this magnificent pipe.

Andy

 

[4dotsasieni]

+1 rothnh --
I saw this pipe listed and the beauty of the grain blew me away, but I'm just turned off by all these wingy-dingy appurtenances that carvers like to add to their creations. There's a couple of other weird-looking pipes listed on Ebay in the multi-thousand dollar range, that I can't even tell where the tobacco goes in and the smoke comes out.
Just give me a richly grained beautiful bowl, please, and leave off the wingy-dings. :lol:

 

[kashmir]

I'm a collector of Comoys, with 28 smokers in my herd. While I can appreciate the artistry that went into this pipe, it is not something that I would enjoy. The beauty of the classic Comoy cut is precisely because it offers a no frill classic take on the English theme. No one cut a cleaner billiard or bulldog in my opinion. This particular pipe strays far from the Comoy archetype, and as such in my view represents an abberation.

 

[ssjones]

Doc: As I've not yet seen an Exceptional grade offered for sale, do they really command this kind of coin?