Help! Possibly Awesome lil' Dunhill Find

[smokollector]

mso489,
IT's been a while since I though about it; the pipes stayed in a box in my closet for about a year until I made time to research them all. I offered to buy every pipe she had if she came down on the prices that she had marked individually, which ranged from $20–$30. She knew I was interested in restoration so agreed. Doing the math-of-recollection, I think I paid around $12.50 a piece.
I am e-mailing a few reputable, professional restorers for this Dunhill, though. I would love to smoke it. But in the end, I want it restored just enough to heighten or maintain the markings, and just might give it a special place in my collection. Probably wont smoke it,though, just admire it's history
Yes, mountainman, your's is lovely! Even if the band is a repair, it adds character and—most importantly—practicality.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Raises a question I've had: Can dim nomenclature be reliably restored? If so, how? Does it diminish the value of a collectible ?

 

[sablebrush52]

Raises a question I've had: Can dim nomenclature be reliably restored? If so, how? Does it diminish the value of a collectible ?

Reliable restoration of worn nomenclature? Probably not. With regard to collectibility, condition always matters, original is always more valuable. An obvious restrike reduces the value. But many pipe collectors have limited knowledge of what they're buying. They don't notice topping or plastic surgery.

 

[dmcmtk]

I wouldn't worry about the markings as a goal for a restoration. In the best case, cleaning all of the grime, and accumulated "usage" will show the maekings a little more clearly, if that makes sense. With these older pipes, in terms of "restoration", less is often more.

 

[ssjones]

With these older pipes, in terms of "restoration", less is often more

Well said.

 

[smokollector]

Well said, indeed!