Golden Age of Signed Meerschaums?

[LeafErikson]

I was reading through the WAYS thread awhile back and saw a post from @dottlejockey about his Fikir Baki pipe. He said that he paid around $180 for a new Baki pipe around 2008. Adjusted for inflation that would be like paying $264 today.

I’ve also read stories from other member like Briar Lee about how signed Beckler meerschaums used to be sold for many hundreds of dollars in brick and mortar stores back in the 70s-80s, which is obviously a pretty penny when adjusted for inflation.

Does anyone else feel like we’re currently in, and have been for a few years, a sort of golden age for signed, artisan meerschaum pipes? A signed meerschaum pipe can easily be found for $150 or even less from carvers like Tekin, Fatih, MCinar, Ali, AGovem etc. When adjusted for inflation, that’s like buying a signed, cased meerschaum for $80 in 2000. Altinay is the obvious outlier here in terms of pricing, but even their prices were more reasonable 4-5 years ago.

When compared to artisan briars, most artisan meerschaums in 2024 are much more affordable. Of course, the meerschaum carvers for the most part are not hand cutting the stems from rod stock, which is a huge component in the pricing of modern artisan briars due to the labor involved.

Globalization and the internet have made it easier to buy directly from carvers, cutting out the middleman taking his slice. It seems like, when adjusted for inflation, an artisan meerschaum pipe has never been more affordable. Am I wrong?

 

[9mmpuffer]

Has Fikri Baki retired?
I just searched for his pipes and the only ones I found were really expensive, $1250.

 

[Chasing Embers]

He said that he paid around $180 for a new Baki pipe around 2008. Adjusted for inflation that would be like paying $264 today.

Up until he retired you could still contact him through Aliexpress and get them for less than $200.

Briar Lee about how signed Beckler meerschaums used to be sold for many hundreds of dollars in brick and mortar stores back in the 70s-80s,

They were never that high. A local B&M had some in the early '90s for around $100. The estate pieces rarely go for more.

Globalization and the internet have made it easier to buy directly from carvers, cutting out the middleman taking his slice. It seems like, when adjusted for inflation, an artisan meerschaum pipe has never been more affordable. Am I wrong?

I've never found them to be more expensive than comparable briar pipes. The largest pipes I own are meerschaum, signed, and at most cost $280. Most were under $200 and many were commissioned

 

[Chasing Embers]

Has Fikri Baki retired?

Yes

 

[LeafErikson]

Has Fikri Baki retired?
I just searched for his pipes and the only ones I found were really expensive, $1250.

As Embers said, Baki did retire. His pipes were only available through AliExpress, a vendor which many weren’t comfortable purchasing from.

 

[LeafErikson]

They were never that high. A local B&M had some in the early '90s for around $100. The estate pieces rarely go for more.

Ah, fair enough. I wasn’t sure.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Ah, fair enough. I wasn’t sure.

Don't get me wrong, he made some great pipes but they didn't command prices like that then or now unless they were museum quality and I've never seen those in B&Ms.

 

[dottlejockey]

My Fikri was from eBay for $150ish, but '08 is about the right timeline (guessing). And it's one of my best burley flake pipes. Wouldn't sell it even if someone offered me the going rate of $1200+.

 

[Chasing Embers]

My Fikri was from eBay for $150ish, but '08 is about the right timeline (guessing). And it's one of my best burley flake pipes. Wouldn't sell it even if someone offered me the going rate of $1200+.

I had one of his billiards with a cumberland stem but the draw was the most restricted I've ever seen in a meerschaum.

 

[dottlejockey]

I had one of his billiards with a cumberland stem but the draw was the most restricted I've ever seen in a meerschaum.

I remember you saying something to that effect elsewhere. This one has a very comfortable draw - not as open as some of the newer carvers (or like my brother's drilling) - but it's certainly never given me any problems. Like a ride in a nice car tuned for the thrill of cornering.

I have had that issue with a couple other meers. Usually if they have a screw in adapter for shank extentions. In that case, i bust out the handy dandy drill...voila.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have had that issue with a couple other meers. Usually if they have a screw in adapter for shank extentions. In that case, i bust out the handy dandy drill...voila.

The newer replacement inserts have a more open bore. No need for drilling.

 

[coming to_falling too]

I seem to have had bad luck with meers. The AKB and SRV that I've bought both had horrible draws and sub par stems in my opinion. I would really like a meer but would like advice on what to look at.

What would you fine gentlemen recommend?

 

[dottlejockey]

I seem to have had bad luck with meers. The AKB and SRV that I've bought both had horrible draws and sub par stems in my opinion. I would really like a meer but would like advice on what to look at.

What would you fine gentlemen recommend?

Depends on price range, but...

A few options are pipesdepot, agovem_meerschaum or clbmeerschaum on ebay. Some decent stuff there for several price ranges.

 

[LeafErikson]

I seem to have had bad luck with meers. The AKB and SRV that I've bought both had horrible draws and sub par stems in my opinion. I would really like a meer but would like advice on what to look at.

What would you fine gentlemen recommend?

I would highly recommend pipesdepot on eBay. His handle now is meerschaum gallery. He has some of the most affordable high quality meers on the internet and he’s a true gentleman.

I would pay close attention to the tenon connection, and I would only buy one that has a permanent, briar-style connection. It should look like this: I am partial to Tekin but many on the forum are fans of MCinar, Ali, Fatih, and others sold by pipesdepot/meerschaum gallery.

 

[coming to_falling too]

Thanks for the recs. guys

 

[Chasing Embers]

I would highly recommend pipesdepot on eBay. His handle now is meerschaum gallery. He has some of the most affordable high quality meers on the internet and he’s a true gentleman.

He has a great selection and to my knowledge is the only US based meerschaum carver. I do have an issue with Tufan sending me the wrong order that I commissioned and still haven't gotten a reply from him though.

I would only buy one that has a permanent, briar-style connection

I used to feel the same but after finding out the cost of repairing one I'll never buy another.

I am partial to Tekin but many on the forum are fans of MCinar, Ali, Fatih, and others sold by pipesdepot/meerschaum gallery.

He also has pipes from Kenan. I commissioned pipes from Ali and Fatih through pipesdepot.

 

[coming to_falling too]

I bought a Falcon bowl from him recently and was happy with my experience. If I find an actual pipe I like I'll probably buy from him again.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I bought a Falcon bowl from him recently and was happy with my experience. If I find an actual pipe I like I'll probably buy from him again.

Most of my current collection came either from there or through there.

 

[coming to_falling too]

Here's what I decided to go with
Hopefully it proves to be decent.

 

[gervais]

I would highly recommend pipesdepot on eBay. His handle now is meerschaum gallery. He has some of the most affordable high quality meers on the internet and he’s a true gentleman.

I would pay close attention to the tenon connection, and I would only buy one that has a permanent, briar-style connection. It should look like this: View attachment 361860I am partial to Tekin but many on the forum are fans of MCinar, Ali, Fatih, and others sold by pipesdepot/meerschaum gallery.

That patina is absolutely incredible