Help With Pricing This Meer

[PApiper63]

Hello Pipers,

I had a good buddy and fellow pipe smoker pass away a few years ago. His wife and is finally considering selling some of his pipes. I can advise her on the briars because but I know very little about Meers. This pipe was in his collection. It is unsmoked and comes in its own case. No markings. Any ideas what a good asking price might be? I honestly have no idea and want to see her get what it might be worth.

 

[BingBong]

I have something of similar quality carving, from Istanbul, unmarked in an anonymous box. With shipping, £100 about four or five years ago.

 

[Scottmi]

That there looks priceless to me and a boon to any collection! I'd drop $150 for that in a moment if I found it in my local B&M. Classic design, wonderful size and carving, looks like Block meerschaum, and with case! Any maker's name in the case? I may be underbidding. You don't want it!?

 

[Waning Embers]

100-150 USD

 

[jpberg]

Show us the stem-stummel joint.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Any idea's when it was purchased and from where? What's the mortis/tenon look like? That would help establish a price point.

Well known meerschaum carvers didn't start putting there names or marks on meers until the late 70's, starting with Beckler, but most didn't start until the early to mid 80's. Unless the pipe was carved for a major pipe/meerschaum company or distributor (i.e. Andreas Bauer), most cases don't have markings on/inside them except maybe the standard "Genuine Block Meerschaum."

Pipes that are/were typically sold in gift shops in Turkey would either come in a box with the gift shop name on it, or in a plain case. If the pipe was bought after mid-late 80's then its probably a pipe carved for a gift shop, which uses a lot of up and coming pipe carvers, or an up and coming carver working for a major meerschaum company or distributor that hasn't reach the status of signing or marking his pipes. If the pipe was bought before the mid 80's then it's really hard to say if it was a master carver or an up and coming carver.

Being that this pipe is a traditional looking Sultan, and while nicely carved, to me it appears to be more of the quality of a gift shop meer or from an up and coming carver. That's not to say it's not a nice smoking pipe or of good quality. I have several such pipes and they smoke great. Nothing wrong with those; however, they wont' usually fetch as much money as a pipe carved by a master carver.

Going off the pictures and the little information you have about this pipe, I would say $50 - $100 USD.

 

[jerry]

If I were selling it, I'd probably initially ask $70.