Interesting Ebay find.

[mawnansmiff]

I have just won the below set of pipes on Ebay. They were listed as "Presentation set of seven Briar pipes from the Briar Pipe Association, won as a prize in 1967. Never used. Seven different designs."



Now for those of you on the other side of the pond the Briar Pipe Association used to hold a ceremony for 'Pipe Smoker of the Year' and as it happens the winner in the year 1967 was one Warren Mitchell, a well known actor & comedian (1926 - 2015) on this side of the pond. Upon hearing the news of his win he is stated to have said "this is all very silly, I smoke a pipe; I also use a lavatory brush. By the same token you could make me 'lavatory brush man of the year.'"
Needless to say he never turned up to the event nor did he accept his 'prize'. I wonder, if by turn of fate I have stumbled upon that very prize?
Thoughts anyone?

Regards,
Jay.

 

[winton]

Very odd story. Most pipe smokers would love to have 7 pipes handed to them. I really like all these pipes. I hope you got a good deal and really enjoy smoking them.

 

[onestrangeone]

It would make a great story if so, either way it's a great looking set.

 

[ssjones]

Fascinating. Any idea on who made the pipes? Do the pipes have any stamping, shape numbers? That does look like a Comoys box.

 

[xrundog]

Your deductive reasoning is compelling. It's a great set in any case. Really very neat!

 

[macaroon]

The question remains: are you the sort to collect pipes and keep them pristine, or are you gonna smoke and enjoy these beauties?

 

[yohanan]

Could be possible, very interesting observation. Congratulations on your acquisition!!!

 

[mawnansmiff]

Al, I know nothing of the pipes (only won the auction late last night) other than my original post and that they are made in London. I will say that I doubt that they are Comoy's pipes as I spy no white 'C'. One niggle I do have however is that they look lacquered to me, either that or it is the photographer's flash giving that effect.
I do know that for one year the prize was a (single) Dunhill pipe so they obviously weren't parsimonious with their gifts.
Macaroon, your question is an interesting one. Up until now I have always quietly sniggered at those folk who buy pipes (or anything for that matter) only to lock them away in a cupboard or (how sad is this) put them in a display cabinet and never allow anyone to touch them, let alone smoke them. A pipe is a device for smoking surely? That said, part of the reason for me purchasing the set was as a possible investment that may (or may not) increase in value over time.
It goes without saying that should I smoke one or all of the pipes then that investment potential is gone. Just imagine if the previous owner had done just that? He would have got nowhere near the price I paid for those pipes so I shall bounce the question back to you Macaroon, given the same circumstances what would you do?
Currently I have a set of pristine pipes that are 48 years old, just imagine if that set was say 100 years old? I am not suggesting that I have another 52 years to go.....it would be a world record if I had, then the price would have been considerably higher.
One to think about.
Once they arrive at my humble Cornish abode I shall photograph them and post any relevant info regards manufacturer.
In the meantime I shall be wondering what if Warren Mitchell had accepted his prize, would I still have a set winging their way to me in the post?
Regards,
Jay.
PS: For what it's worth I only actually like the first four pipes from the left.

 

[didimauw]

Looks like one of every kind! Nice find!

 

[mso489]

I would satisfy myself about the origin of the pipes. If they have an interesting story that can be authenticated, it might be worth re-selling them with the authentication documents, to a responsible buyer. Instead, if it turns out that a number of these sets were made, and the intended "prize set" was just one of a number, then you could consider saving them to sell as a set, as an investment, or simply enjoying them by smoking them. The whole set is quite handsome, of a certain period. The ones on the right may not be your favorites, but they look like equally good pipes and might grow on you. I go in quest of pipes that, three years ago, I wouldn't have even looked at.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'd be happy to take the Prince off your hands!
Are you near Port Isaac (Port Wenn!) by chance? I have dear friends in Bodmin. (not the institution!)

 

[mawnansmiff]

MSO, interesting observations. I have since queried the seller regards any paperwork and he tells me there are some magazine clippings including some from Amateur Photographer Magazine. I shall have to wait and see what they are all about.
I actually have far too many pipes here to smoke (5 more arrived this morn including 2 Petes for refurb) so I doubt it would be difficult to refrain from taking the cherry from the pipes in the set. Yes, it would likely feel good to be the first to smoke a 48 yearold pipe but I refer to my earlier post.....once done it cannot be undone and any future value would have literally gone up in smoke.
" The ones on the right may not be your favorites, but they look like equally good pipes and might grow on you. I go in quest of pipes that, three years ago, I wouldn't have even looked at." This is also very true. When I took up piping last September I only had eyes for bent pipes, mostly billiards. I never for example fancied any straight pipes at all. That said I now have circa 20 straights and I do indeed anjoy them though I still prefer bents, mainly for ease of lighting, it's nice to be able to see the bowl when firing up.
JPMCWJR, no I am nowhere near Port Isaac. A clue to where I reside is in my name! Besides, why on earth would I buy a complete set of pipes only to break them up? :roll:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

What's a lavatory brush?

 

[mawnansmiff]

Am wondering if the seller has got the wobbles. I had an e-mail from her this afternoon telling me she cannot leave the house to post my pipe set as she has caught a bug!
I shall be well miffed if she welshes on the deal :evil:

 

[jpmcwjr]

I will keep my fingers crossed that the Pipe Gods will assure the completion of your hoped for transaction! And I was somewhat t.i.c. on the offer to take the prince off your hands, but you did say you didn't care for it!
And as to your location, I don't know Cornwall that well to be able to guess your town from your handle. But to this Murican, everywhere in Cornwall isn't too far from Port Isaac!

 

[kenbarnes]

Thoughts anyone?

It may be helpful if you asked the seller where she got them from. I suspect that the name that comes up will be someone connected with the association at that time (hopefully). It sounds like Warren Mitchell - he always seemed so grumpy and possibly in real life too. I would possibly recognise the name if it was part of the Briar pipe trade association.

On another note,I know where you come from! I also live in Cornwall! Where in Cornwall can I get some pipes refurbished? I am still in touch with Ian Walker from Northern Briars, but he is busy manufacturing some pieces for the RTDA show in Chicago.The pipes may have been from the Merton Factory-just a thought.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"It may be helpful if you asked the seller where she got them from." Hi Ken, yes an obvious thing to do, however I do not wish to raise any suspicions with the seller so best I patiently await their arrival.
Further to my last post where I mentioned that she tells me she has caught a bug and cannot reach the post office, I just had an e-mail informing that they're on their way afterall!
Regards pipes to be refurbished I have sent you PM.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[mawnansmiff]

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[mawnansmiff]

I see nothing cryptic there Bill.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"What's a lavatory brush?"
"Toothbrush, probably.
Doubtful he means toilet brush."
Cosmic & Bill, I doubt you would understand the finer points of the English language, you do afterall refer to a 'bathroom' though there is no bath in there so best I save my breath trying to educate the un-educatable :nana:
As a race you much prefer your language nice and simple, Yello Bole, Custom Bilt, Aero Kool, Kleenest, Mellopure to mention a few pipe related names :crazy:
Regards,
Jay :D