Info on Yenson and H Simmons?

[mckee]

I have a couple of pipes that I can't find anything information on. One is a Yenson, the other is an H. Simmons Burlington Arcade Vest Pocket. Both are English Made. The Yenson is a great smoker, it's favorite meal is Dark Fired Flakes. The H. Simmons, I haven't received yet, but should be here next week. I was just wondering if any of you knew anything about these pipes. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[pitchfork]

Welcome.
Never heard of the Yenson, but it looks similar to Dunhill. The term "para vulcanite" makes me think it's probably pre-war, but not sure.
EDIT: Yenson is by A. Yenn and Sons (whoever they are).

 

[mckee]

Thanks. Every little bit helps...

 

[ssjones]

That is all "Who Made that Pipe" says about Yenson. Nothing on H. Simmons.

I love that Yenson, it looks like a a copy of a Dunhill "Don".

 

[papipeguy]

This isn't much but Simmons is listed here.
http://www.pipephil.eu/logos/en/logo-s7.html

 

[mckee]

Thanks, guys. The Yenson is a champ. I just really liked the look of it when I saw it, and was greatly pleased that it is such a good smoker, too. I saw a couple of references to Dunhill on the Simmons, but I can't find anything definitive. I never heard of them until I came across this today. I've been wanting one of these vest pocket pipes, and the price was right. I'll keep looking, and if I find anything else, I'll be sure to share.

 

[huntertrw]

mckee:
Welcome aboard, Sir!
In his book titled "Pipes - Artisans and Trademarks" Jose Manuel Lopes had this to say of Simmons: "- former English brand from the tobacconist's (sic) H. Simmons of the Burlington Arcade, London. It was bought by Dunhill, (sic) in the late 1980s."
Unfortunately Mr. Lopes had no listing for Yenson.
I hope that you find this information to be helpful.

 

[jguss]

This catches me out of town for a week and without access to many records.
To be very brief, "A Yenn" was Alfred Yenn (1881-1940), and the "& Sons" were named Alfred Henry (1908-2004) and Norman Joseph (1909-2000). They were briar pipe makers located for decades on Tenby St. in Birmingham England. Alfred's brothers Charles and Joseph were likewise in the trade, working as silversmiths and pipe mounters. There's more to be said but I just don't have it handy.
H Simmons is much more famous and had a much longer history. I'll try to dig it up when I'm back, but it may be a couple of weeks.

 

[mckee]

You guys are great! I knew I came to the right place. :D

 

[danielplainview]

Good luck. I have an H. Simmons pipe also. Info is pretty scarce. I've heard the Dunhill connection as well.

H. Simmons was one of the oldest tobacconists in London. Dunhill made pipes for the Simmons shop, and later bought the name.

I'm not 100% about this info. I'd like to know more as well.

 

[ssjones]

"Pipes - Artisans and Trademarks - Jose Manuel Lopes"
Yes, I have this book on my wish list.

 

[misterlowercase]

Nothing to add here except to say WOW!
That Yenson is a jawdropper!

8O
Would you possibly consider any offers to sell it?


A rare bird,

and looks to be 30's or 40's?
When was Super Para rubber in vogue?
Regardless,

it's an interesting specimen,

many thanks for sharing it.
It ain't quite as elegant as the Dunhill Don (shank location looks out of proportion--should be lower to bring it into the golden ration area (or the bowl should be taller), and the bend of the stem is a bit too acute), but it's damn beautiful pipe to my eyes despite those critiques!

:!:

 

[mckee]

Thanks for all the feedback fellas. I really appreciate it. And I'm sorry, misterlowercase, but I'm afraid this one is staying in the herd

 

[mesmer]

A bit late but just seen this post;

i visited the factory of Yenn in Tenby Street, Birmingham many times and purchased a few pipes from there over the years. When i visited there were always trays of pipes ready to go to be stamped before being delivered to famous makers, Dunhill being one !!! . So it is quite possible that the one you have is a Dunhill minus the stamp. When Bert closed the factory i was gifted a pipe he had on display, it was a briar ebuchon the stems made into two legs to allow it to stand and a large long mouthpiece. The wood was just cleaned, treated, laquered and a tobacco hole drilled in it. It was areal old word factory but very busy, I think the fact that the area was being cleared and the owners were getting on in years forced their decision to close down. Hope this info helps and yes they are great smokers .
Mesmer

 

[ssjones]

Welcome Mesmer! In what time frame did you visit the shop?

 

[clickklick]

H Simmons of Burlington Arcade was mentioned as receiving pipes and stamping them with their nomenclature, with a link to Dunhill sometime after they acquired or started producing the Parker line. This comes from memory in what I've read in The Pipe Smokers Ephemeris.

 

[mesmer]

Thank you for the welcome,
it wasnt a shop as we would know a shop, it was really a small factory with an office, it would have been in the early 1970;s