How can a pipe sell for $5,610?

[Sig]

A good friend from my mid-teen years went on to collect XK Jaguars.

In the early 1980's he bought a never-driven XK-140 for $30K. A car that had been professionally prepped for extended storage and maintained while stored.

It had been ordered by a doctor in Ft. Scott Kansas, but the guy had a stroke literally the morning the call came from the dealership that the car was ready for pick-up.

His friends knew not to just throw it in a barn, and his family never sold it because one of the dreams that kept him going---the stroke wasn't fatal, just disabling---was that he'd one day recover enough to drive it.

That day never came.

I wonder what something like that would be worth today...

I don't know about the Jag.
There was a local doctor here who was a car collector. From 13-18 years old I was his car washer and mover. His collection was kept in a big warehouse with one single wide door.
So, to get the cars in the back out, you needed to move them all.
He had everything from Cadillacs to Ferraris. People walked by that brick warehouse for years with no clue there was a very nice car collection.
His pride and joy was a black 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400, which was the first year. It had 23,000 original miles and today would be worth in the $1,500 000 range.
And a 1960 Lotus Elite Series 1 race car. A Elite Series 1 isn't particularly valuable, but a race car built by Lotus, which this was, would be in the $500,000 range.
The doctor died about 20 years ago. His son took all the cars to California and sold them all to fuel his lifestyle. I know he went to prison for fraud and forgery about 10 years ago. I just hope those cars went to good homes.

 

[Peterson314]

I've spent more on a pipe than I ever thought possible when I started this hobby, but only after learning about the pipemakers, their stories, and their impact on the community.

At some point, you're not so much buying a pipe as you are buying functional art. I'm also a woodworker, so I especially appreciate the craftsmanship. I have one Former and one Eltang. I bought them both estate, which dropped the price out of the stratosphere, but I still felt it.

Even if I were in a position to buy a four-digit pipe on a whim, I'd need the story to connect to. A pretty pipe isn't enough for me for that kind of money.

But there's also something to be said for a fool and their money. Y'all want any of my pipes for $3500, say the word.

 

[PipePic]

on collecting in general, cars arent really the thing. they have no soul, no true connotation.

I dont think any of those pipes are ever meant to be used.

 

[OzPiper]

I dont think any of those pipes are ever meant to be used.

Some years ago at a wine dinner a very generous friend brought a couple of bottles to share.
Replacement cost of these is USD$10,000+


Last weekend he brought these half bottles to share with 3 of us. Replacement cost USD$2,500+


Definitely NOT trophies
And NO, he is not a billionaire.
Just a wine lover who gets pleasure from sharing his cellar with his mates
As he says, he buys wine to drink, not to be admired

 

[PipePic]

If this seems to be a large price... go look at danishpipeshop

Anne Julie, Unica Blowfish - Anne Julie - The Danish Pipe Shop

Exclusive dealer of Tobacco Pipes handmade by Anne Julie, Denmark

www.danishpipeshop.com

 

[sablebrush52]

Some years ago at a wine dinner a very generous friend brought a couple of bottles to share.
Replacement cost of these is USD$10,000+
View attachment 398974

Last weekend he brought these half bottles to share with 3 of us. Replacement cost USD$2,500+
View attachment 398977

Definitely NOT trophies
And NO, he is not a billionaire.
Just a wine lover who gets pleasure from sharing his cellar with his mates
As he says, he buys wine to drink, not to be admired

Jeez, for that kind of money you’d think the labels would be clean. They look like they were lying around somewhere…

 

[OzPiper]

Jeez, for that kind of money you’d think the labels would be clean. They look like they were lying around somewhere…

Yes, his cellar is notoriously damp.
You should have seen them BEFORE he cleaned up those labels.

That’s the reason why they were in such good condition
Unlike air-conditioned cellars, the corks haven’t dried out

 

[OzPiper]

If this seems to be a large price... go look at danishpipeshop

Anne Julie, Unica Blowfish - Anne Julie - The Danish Pipe Shop

Exclusive dealer of Tobacco Pipes handmade by Anne Julie, Denmark

www.danishpipeshop.com

Look up the prices for Bo Nordh pipes

As @Sig posted earlier, what price do you put on a “collectible” - be it cars, watches, paintings, etc.
If someone wants it, and they have the money …….

Hell ! Last week in Sydney someone paid AUD$60,000,000 (count the zeros) for a house which they plan to demolish so they can build another on that block of land. Because of the views.

Different market altogether.

Most of us can only dream

 

[mortonbriar]

I am aware that you can buy pipes for thousands of dollars...but it may as well be a parallel universe.

 

[OzPiper]

I am aware that you can buy pipes for thousands of dollars...but it may as well be a parallel universe.

It IS a parallel universe.
One where private jets, super yachts, art collections abound.

Value in in the enjoyment it brings, regardless of the cost

Recently I was in Malaysia. A breakfast at an Indian cafe of roti (bread) with 3 curry sauces and a cup of very good coffee cost MYR 5
(less than AUD 2 !)
Everybit as enjoyable, and probably more memorable, than the dinner the previous night where the waiters were in white jackets and ties, while a pianist played and sang jazz standards

I enjoy my $25 estates just as much as my artisan or vintage pipes

 

[paulfg]

It IS a parallel universe.
One where private jets, super yachts, art collections abound.

Value in in the enjoyment it brings, regardless of the cost

Recently I was in Malaysia. A breakfast at an Indian cafe of roti (bread) with 3 curry sauces and a cup of very good coffee cost MYR 5
(less than AUD 2 !)
Everybit as enjoyable, and probably more memorable, than the dinner the previous night where the waiters were in white jackets and ties, while a pianist played and sang jazz standards

I enjoy my $25 estates just as much as my artisan or vintage pipes

and that is it,it is your opinion and only your's that matters.your money your enjoyment


I personally dont like the pipe,so wouldnt buy it but others might.
I have no problem with that
I wouldnt spend that kind of money any a pipe,but have spent 3 times that on a 50 year old motorbike

 

[OzPiper]

and that is it,it is your opinion and only your's that matters.your money your enjoyment


I personally dont like the pipe,so wouldnt buy it but others might.
I wouldnt spend that kind of money on a pipe,but have spent 4 times that on a 50 year old motorbike
I have no problem with that

Exactly that !

My friends who are into wine are well-off, but not uber rich.
Wine happens to be their passion, hence their enviable cellars of fine wine.
Often at the expense of other “luxuries”