I just Won a Dr. Grabow Royal Duke, But...

[numbersix]

So this will be my first Dr. Grabow, paid $16.50. I'm a happy camper, but... the seller says it's from a store that closed in the 1950s, and this is a brand new, unsmoked pipe from that shop, meaning of course that the pipe is circa 1950.
When I just looked online, http://pipephil.eu, it says the Royal Duke line came out in 1969. This site however: http://www.drgrabow-pipe-info.com doesn't give a date [says only 19XX].
Anyone know one way or the other? I'm okay if this is from the 1970s, but I was hoping it was from the 1950s (I'm a fan of anything 1940s/50s).

 

[mso489]

numbersix, if it's an unsmoked pipe from the 1970's, that's not bad at all. If it turns out to be an

unsmoked pipe from the 1950's, that would be terrific. Either way, for $16.50, I think you did well.

 

[gwtwdbss]

Well done either way Six. Congrats! That is a great looking pipe.

 

[numbersix]

Thanks guys, appreciate it a lot. It's my first Dr Grabow and I think you're right - but I'm still hoping for 1950s lol!

 

[ejames]

The Grabow Duke lines were not introduced until the mid 60's. That pipe could have been made anywhere from that time up until the early 80's. After that most Grabows have ABS plastic stems. I was watching that pipe,but decided I have enough Grabows.

The blue spade may indicate that it is an early Royal Duke--IIRC. It indicated a filter pipe. Yellow spade indicated push stem and white for Ajustomatics. At some point All DG's went to white spades,except for the Westbrook,an RJR coupon pipe,which had an orange spade.

 

[captainsousie]

Yellow spade indicated push stem and white for Ajustomatics.

I never knew the logos were color coded. Thanks for that info.

 

[fnord]

Six:
Man, do I know that background.
I started buying most of my vintage pipes from Irishlefty three to four years ago. I don't want to imply that he took me under his wing, but there were several times I sent him an email asking him which one of his burners was a best buy for a double fin or double sawbuck and the man never let me down. He took me to school on buying name brand seconds - all I could afford back then - and the best US machine mades to nab whenever possible.
Consequently, I've got a couple of Ehrlichs and Webers that can, and will, shake hands with the devil. I've yet to find an L.L. Bean burner that I fell in love with, but I know I will someday, and, right now, I've got some Comoy and Sasieni #2s that will give my best pipes and yours a run for the money.
Irish also gave me a wonderful education on Dr. Grabow; especially their coupon pipes. (A few of his emails are treasured, pal.) If he screwed the pooch and fatfingered a date, well, that kind of thing does happen and I'm sure he'll make it right by you. But, if he doesn't, then I'll fade him.
From what I've read his hands are played out and he's ready to spend the rest of his time near the South China Sea. Godspeed to Irishlefty and I wish him the best.
Fnord

 

[numbersix]

The Grabow Duke lines were not introduced until the mid 60's.

Thanks a lot ejames. Very good to know.

Irish also gave me a wonderful education on Dr. Grabow; especially their coupon pipes. (A few of his emails are treasured, pal.) If he screwed the pooch and fatfingered a date, well, that kind of thing does happen and I'm sure he'll make it right by you. But, if he doesn't, then I'll fade him.

Thanks for that fnord - very interesting! I don't want to speculate on why the date is mistaken but it does seem fishy. I may just keep it if it's indeed unsmoked. I don't own any Grabows, so for $16.50, it may still be worth keeping.

 

[jah76]

I just bought a Starfire that smokes really well and looks as classy as all heck.
Some of their authors and bulldogs look really sharp.
Six I hope you enjoy that pipe. For under 20 bucks you can really nail some good pipes IMO. Like Ford mentioned I've got some Webers that I love. One of them if the first pipe I reach for when im trying a new tobacco.

 

[numbersix]

Thanks Jah - I will admit, I like the lines of this Grabow. And I've wanted to have at least one Kaywoodie and one Grabow since they are American classics. My Kaywoodie was also described as a 1950s, but I discovered afterwards it was a 1970s (also from a vendor who should have known better). Still, it happens to be an excellent smoker, so I am reasonably content (even if I overpaid a bit).
ejames - thanks again for the excellent info, I wonder if you can tell me what I should expect the stem to be made out of (assuming this is a pre-80s)? Vulcanite or lucite?

 

[ejames]

thanks again for the excellent info, I wonder if you can tell me what I should expect the stem to be made out of (assuming this is a pre-80s)? Vulcanite or lucite?

Vulcanite. IIRC,the only line you will find with acrylic that was made from the 60's to early 80's MAY be the Royalton. Can't remember just off the top of my head when it was re-introduced.
I have to backup what Fnord says about Irish Lefty. I know him from the DGCF and Ebay, and have met the guy at a DGCF gathering in Sparta.He would never purposely mislead anyone. I'd say the info he recieved about that shop may not have been correct.

 

[numbersix]

Vulcanite. IIRC,the only line you will find with acrylic that was made from the 60's to early 80's MAY be the Royalton. Can't remember just off the top of my head when it was re-introduced.

Thank you, good to know.

He would never purposely mislead anyone. I'd say the info he recieved about that shop may not have been correct.

Thanks for that bit of info ejames. Glad to know it.

 

[numbersix]

Thanks Robert. I am looking forward to receiving it. If it's otherwise everything Lefty says it is, I'll probably be quite content with it.

 

[cigrmaster]

six, if it were me I would be contacting my attorney and file a breach of contract suit in the Supreme Court. It was advertised as a 1950's pipe and it is clearly not that. Your damages could run into the millions so let your attorney handle it.
Oh wait, you paid 16.50, never mind. :lol: I hope you enjoy how it smokes.

 

[numbersix]

six, if it were me I would be contacting my attorney and file a breach of contract suit in the Supreme Court. It was advertised as a 1950's pipe and it is clearly not that. Your damages could run into the millions so let your attorney handle it.

lol!

 

[skapunk1]

Thanks for directing me to this seller. Just grabbed up a very nice Savoy, $12.99

 

[fnord]

Harris:
You got me, man.
You wrote:
"six, if it were me I would be contacting my attorney and file a breach of contract suit in the Supreme Court. It was advertised as a 1950's pipe and it is clearly not that. Your damages could run into the millions so let your attorney handle it."
I just about choked.
One of the nicest guys on this forum calling for a throw down?
WTF?
Good one, brother.
Ska, there's a chance your new DG won't be the prettiest pig in the pen but it will, I promise you, have been inspected thoroughly, reamed to perfection, plus be sanitized and well oiled.
So, here's to years of good smokes, pal.
Fnord

 

[colorduke]

Irishlefty always has some nice pipes forsale at great prices.

 

[numbersix]

Thanks for directing me to this seller. Just grabbed up a very nice Savoy, $12.99

That's a beauty. I have no idea how Dr Grabows smoke, so I am looking forward to trying mine out.

 

[erichbaumer]

I think you'll like it, I've got a couple Starfires that I wouldn't trade for anything. They and my one Kaywoodie will compete pretty well with any other factory pipe. Hope you enjoy yours!