Italian pipe aficionado?

[MrTallbutBuxomley]

Hello all, I am entirely ignorant about Italian makers other than the common knowledge makers. After several frustrating hours of research coming up with a dead end, although I enjoy a little mystery, I would love to know atleast something about it. It's named "Manhattan" and states it's made in Italy. I wondered if any of you could provide any insight on this pipe and it's logo. All speculation much appreciated .

 

[lraisch]

The logo is unfamiliar to me. "Who Made That Pipe" lists three "Manhattan" pipes, one from "Import House" meerschaum pipes USA and the other two are listed as being from England.

It's possible it was made for a dealer who chose that name, but as for the Italian origin I have not a clue.

 

[anotherbob]

Manhattan could be the brand or even the name of a shop. Interesting pipe it reminds me a bit of a basket pipe I've owned.

 

[Hillcrest]

Manhattan is too common a name. If you search ebay and sold listings you will see a variety of pipes of unknown origin as well as a ceramic pipe made in Netherlands all with Manhattan name. See also:

Manhattan Briar Pipe Co. - Pipedia

pipedia.org

You will have to research if that target symbol on the stem was one of their marks.

 

[MrTallbutBuxomley]

Manhattan is too common a name. If you search ebay and sold listings you will see a variety of pipes of unknown origin as well as a ceramic pipe made in Netherlands all with Manhattan name. See also:

Manhattan Briar Pipe Co. - Pipedia

pipedia.org

You will have to research if that target symbol on the stem was one of their marks.

That's exactly why I've asked, Manhattan is very vague. No it matches no known marks from that maker, not does that maker refer to any Italian produced pipes etc. The more I look the more a Lorenzo on behalf of someone else (Lloyds etc) seems probable.

Thanks for the insights.

 

[Sigmund]

Its a nice looking pipe whoever made it.

 

[occidentalist]

Its a nice looking pipe whoever made it.

Agreed! Love it!

 

[Hillcrest]

That's exactly why I've asked, Manhattan is very vague. No it matches no known marks from that maker, not does that maker refer to any Italian produced pipes etc. The more I look the more a Lorenzo on behalf of someone else (Lloyds etc) seems probable.

Thanks for the insights.

I agree that its beautifully well made but perhaps we need more information. How did you acquire it ? What did seller say ? etc ... It could be any one of the italian manufacturers who make for other companies ... just some thoughts ...

 

[MrTallbutBuxomley]

I agree that its beautifully well made but perhaps we need more information. How did you acquire it ? What did seller say ? etc ... It could be any one of the italian manufacturers who make for other companies ... just some thoughts ...

I agree, the look of it caught my eye, it seemed well proportioned and elegant, it was an eBay purchase in the UK. The seller listed it as a vintage pipe marked "Manhattan" Made in Italy and "Ripple grain" with a vulcanite stem, but some research on Pipedia suggested it's not
that brand due to the logo, shape and being Italian made. I'd agree that it's most likely made for another company by an Italian manufacturer. Thanks for your thoughts, much appreciated.

 

[Hillcrest]

I agree, the look of it caught my eye, it seemed well proportioned and elegant, it was an eBay purchase in the UK. The seller listed it as a vintage pipe marked "Manhattan" Made in Italy and "Ripple grain" with a vulcanite stem, but some research on Pipedia suggested it's not
that brand due to the logo, shape and being Italian made. I'd agree that it's most likely made for another company by an Italian manufacturer. Thanks for your thoughts, much appreciated.

Well, with that information and specifically the mention of 'Ripple Grain" and the Target logo ... I think you are correct. Look at Pipedia's lorenzo page ... specifically the Lloyds ripple grain with the Target logo made by Lorenzo ... looks alot like your pipe... I don't know what Lloyds is though ... you can research that. I think you've got it.

Lorenzo - Pipedia

pipedia.org

 

[Hillcrest]

An afterthought, it looks like Lloyd's was a 'second' or sub-brand of Comoy's. Lorenzo made pipes for the Lloyds line. You have a similar pipe. So an italian pipe made for a French company sold in England. I think you hit the tri-fecta ! If it is a Comoy's sub-brand it should smoke very, very well. They are generally excellent pipes. So are Lorenzo's although I only have a tiny Opera pipe by Lorenzo. Lorenzo's were made in Naples but I believe are now made elsewhere in Italy and they have a company in Albania to take advantage of Albanian briar. Nice piece of history and an enjoyable mystery ! Enjoy it !