What do you want to know ;-)
The ones P&C has listed seems to be a batch of finished pipes by the old Hilson factory. I have reached out to them to get a little more info as well, just from an interest perspective. It's a little hard to tell from just the pictures whether they are pre or post 1980. So I'll let you know when I find out more.
With regards to the brand itself, Hilson was founded by a man name "Hillen" and his two sons. Hence the name Hilson. They were the last pipe manufacturer in Belgium in 1980 when they went bankrupt and were taken over by the Royal Dutch pipe Factory, the maker of the Big Ben and Porsche pipes. Eventually production moved to the factory in the Netherlands and the last pipe factory in Belgium closed its doors. :crying:
I found out last summer that there is a new young artisan Belgian pipe maker and Vinche, a tobacco house in Brussels who used to make meerschaums, is contemplating to make pipes again as well. So we'll find out more on that one day I'm sure.
With regards to the Royal Dutch Pipe factory, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year and the proceedings are still under way. I am not quite sure whether they have found a buyer yet or whether they have emerged yet, so I'll have to look at it a bit to see what the latest is there.
Back to the Hilson pipes: I personally collect the pre 1980 pipes and they are usually good smokers. Not top of the line, but very well made and nice smokers. The only reason I personally have not purchased one of these yet, is just strapped on PAD funds and I'm more looking for the old pre-1980 ones.
For $80, you would get a good nice smoker, but perhaps without the acclaim of a Peterson or Savinelli of the same price. PM me if you want more detail on the history.
