Help! Is It a Real I. Baglan Pipe?

[joshzimb]

So I was browsing my local classifieds for a pipe that I can grow in to, seeing as how I'm a starving college student I can't afford to buy a bunch of cool briars and rotate them, I want to dish out the cash for meerschaum and found this potential gem.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/clt/4205104785.html

It's a little flashy and head figurines aren't really my thing but the detail and artistic craft that took to make this keeps drawing me back and I can't get it out of my mind! Is this the one? Haha

I spoke with the gentlemen and there's no signature and he says the the b&m where he bought it was the place where he was told it was a Baglan. Other than that there is no way to link it to I. Baglan. The problem is that I don't want to drop, what to me is a bunch of money, on something that is falsely advertised or that could turn out to be a bad smoke. Another problem I'm having believing the authenticity is that I've never seen another Baglan like this. Or any pipe maker that has done a piece like this in all honesty. My hopes are to find some way to contact I Baglan and have him authenticate the piece. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks gents.

 

[pstlpkr]

It's difficult to say just who carved the pipe.

It is certainly a nice looking pipe.

I don't want to discourage a "starving college student" but I think you can get much more from a good briar.

And, you can certainly get a very nice briar or two for that kind of money.
Just so you know what the care and feeding of Meerschaum entails, you should read this.
Slave to the White Goddess
And welcome aboard!

::

 

[tbradsim1]

I have a Baglan and he etched his name on it, highly doubt he wouldn't do it on that one.

 

[tbradsim1]

Here is his signature , don't think he would have stopped signing his pipes.

 

[mso489]

Following the old adage of buyer beware, I'd assume it is not a Baglan and proceed accordingly. It is worth this

money otherwise? I vote for a good briar, a Savenelli, Stanwell, Nording, or Johs.

 

[joshzimb]

The only thing I could think of was that he used to carve for storient, and maybe then he didn't sign his name? I could try to contact the seller to get more specifications about when it was purchased? Any thoughts? And I know briars are the go to for most but I really want a meer. Thanks for the suggestions though, much appreciated.

 

[pruss]

Hi joshzimb, I hear you on wanting a meer. I was in the same boat. I ended up buying mine, an S. Yanik carved/figural meer, on eBay. I was all in under $100 with shipping on that pipe. I also spent a LONG time looking and hunting, and waiting, and being sniped out of auctions... but after months of searching I got the pipe I wanted.
If the only reason you would buy this pipe is because it is a "real" I. Baglan, and you can't determine its authenticity, then I would skip it. If you love the pipe, and it clicks all your buttons, then go for it!
Good luck, pal.
-- Pat

 

[meerqueen]

Hi Josh,
Sorry but it is not a I.Baglan pipe.Baglan always signs his pipes and that pipes workmanship does not belong to Baglan!!!
Regards,

Bahadir

 

[joshzimb]

The name isn't the only reason I liked it. Of course what is associated with the name is much more important, like craftsmanship, smoke ability, quality meerschaum, etc. I'm not so particular to the name as I am to quality. I guess my next question is for the more experienced connoisseurs, is that pipe worth the cash assuming it's a good smoker, even though there is no name associated with it?

 

[trailspike48]

Looks to fragile for my tastes. That long shank could break very easily. My two pennies goes toward a couple (or more) nice briars. There are plenty of very good meerschaums out there for that price as well.

 

[cigrmaster]

josh, I think you would be crazy to buy that pipe. It will be a bitch to clean, you have to buy churchwarden pipe cleaners for it which are expensive, the person selling it is obviously not telling the truth about who made it, and it is way too fragile for someone who is a new smoker. If you have your heart set on a meer than I would look at Meerqueen's site, as they are a site sponsor and they have a good reputation.

http://meerschaumstore.com/

 

[jeepnewbie]

Personally even if its not I.Baglan, a meer of that size and art would fetch a lot more at a B&M. I have a meer I bought new that cost me 100 right out in Hawaii, and it was just a smooth meer.
Not saying go buy it or not, like others say check out everything else. Find something that you will really enjoy, a meer of that size will be more prone to breaking.

 

[joshzimb]

I will admit that I was interested in part because it was a baglan, an it would make an awesome conversation piece. Buy now that I know it's not it just raised too many questions. Not to mention I don't want to deal with the seller who was a pretty rude older gentlemen. I think I'm going to listen to the advice of some of the seasoned smokers and at least find something a little more practical. I'm always open to suggestions! Thank you all to have replied so far, you all have been very helpful and made me feel like a part of the pipe smoking community.