Historically, Barlings, Better and Best
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Fossil simply means it was sandblasted. And I do love my old Barling's Make pipes.
Pre-Transition, which I refer to as Family Era because it’s more accurate, are the most sought after.
“Fossil” was the appellation Barling applied to their post WW2 sandblasts, starting around 1947. For some collectors, Fossils are more desirable because they are more rare.
As I write this I’m smoking a WW2 era Barling sandblast, the one that is pictured on the Pipedia Barling page, and it’s an outstanding smoker.
“Fossil” was the appellation Barling applied to their post WW2 sandblasts, starting around 1947. For some collectors, Fossils are more desirable because they are more rare.
As I write this I’m smoking a WW2 era Barling sandblast, the one that is pictured on the Pipedia Barling page, and it’s an outstanding smoker.
"Dave Neebs has 2 Barlings for sale"
In fact Dave has several Barlings listed - almost all of them pre-transition (family era) pieces
"Are the pre-transition pipes those customarily lauded ?"
I have several Barlings, including a few over 100 years old.
I also have a few post-family era pipes which, in my opinion, smoke just as well as their older siblings.
But if price be the gauge, then expect to pay a premium for the family-era pieces
In fact Dave has several Barlings listed - almost all of them pre-transition (family era) pieces
"Are the pre-transition pipes those customarily lauded ?"
I have several Barlings, including a few over 100 years old.
I also have a few post-family era pipes which, in my opinion, smoke just as well as their older siblings.
But if price be the gauge, then expect to pay a premium for the family-era pieces
True that!!
The popular story is that everything went to hell when the family sold their business. The reality, as usual, is both more complex and more nuanced.
Overall quality did become more variable in the later ‘60’s, but they still turned out excellent pipes. And after the factories closed in 1970, Imperial turned to some top quality makers, like Charatan, to continue production. What was lost after 1970, was Barling’s unique character.
All that said, some of my favorite Barlings are later production.
Back in the 80s I was at a pipe show and a collector showed me his Barling collection. He had a 12 pipe dealer display case which he opened to display his Barling Quaints. I must admit these were some of the most beautiful pipes I've ever seen. They were all 8 paneled and each panel alternated either smooth or rusticated. I was really taken with these pipes.
Before deciding to write this I searched the net for a picture to illustrate what I had seen. I found some pics of Quaints, but nothing that looked near as good as those I had seen. It's a mystery!
Before deciding to write this I searched the net for a picture to illustrate what I had seen. I found some pics of Quaints, but nothing that looked near as good as those I had seen. It's a mystery!
Under the Barlings, quality control was maintained at each step of the process from harvesting and aging the briar to each step of the manufacturing process, packaging and dispatch
Cases like these just scream “quality”
Even before their contents are seen
Wanna hear a secret??Under the Barlings, quality control was maintained at each step of the process from harvesting and aging the briar to each step of the manufacturing process, packaging and dispatch
Cases like these just scream “quality”
Even before their contents are seen
View attachment 254657View attachment 254658View attachment 254659
Too bad.
OzPiper said:
Under the Barlings, quality control was maintained at each step of the process from harvesting and aging the briar to each step of the manufacturing process, packaging and dispatch.
This is so good to know, substantiating others recommend of the Family pipes.
Under the Barlings, quality control was maintained at each step of the process from harvesting and aging the briar to each step of the manufacturing process, packaging and dispatch.
This is so good to know, substantiating others recommend of the Family pipes.
As much as I am a fan of Barlings, owning about 100 of them ranging from the early 1880's thru mid 1970's, there is other Britwood I like as much, such as Comoys. I've never met a Comoy I didn't like. Same for Leeds era Ben Wades, and BBB's. It's too bad I've quit collecting as I would have loved to get into Loewes. So many great options.
I can see these pipes without the cases open because I’ve seen them so much. But I still never get tired of seeing them.Under the Barlings, quality control was maintained at each step of the process from harvesting and aging the briar to each step of the manufacturing process, packaging and dispatch
Cases like these just scream “quality”
Even before their contents are seen
View attachment 254657View attachment 254658View attachment 254659
Absolutely.
Older Comoys have great stems and nice comfortable wide, thin bits.
I love Loewe's, BBBs and GBDs. These are generally reasonably priced in today's market.
Family era Charatans are also ones to look for.
Sasieni is another touted brand. I am not a fan of their rustication. I find their one, four and 8 dots expensive comparatively.
Pre-Cadogan Orliks tend to fly under the radar