James Upshall Estate Pipe

[SaxonX]

I bought this estate pipe at auction just this week on a whim, I thought it would make a good case for a first go at restoration. On doing some research on getting it home, I find they appear to be quite desirable. I can't thought find out about this style or its value or rarity etc. I don't want to accidentally wreck a classic so any advice on whether to restore or leave it as would be appreciated as would any info specific to this model and grade.

 

[greeneyes]

This is a more recent Upshall as the identifying stamp was laser-engraved. Had you posted this a year ago the man who likely made this pipe might have told you the very date he made it and what he had for lunch that day. Alas, cancer has taken him from us. He was modest and kind, and a genius with briar. Unless he has answered a question like yours in these archives, and he may well have, the knowledge may well otherwise be lost to oblivion for ever.

 

[SaxonX]

This is a more recent Upshall as the identifying stamp was laser-engraved. Had you posted this a year ago the man who likely made this pipe might have told you the very date he made it and what he had for lunch that day. Alas, cancer has taken him from us. He was modest and kind, and a genius with briar. Unless he has answered a question like yours in these archives, and he may well have, the knowledge may well otherwise be lost to oblivion for ever.

Thats a real shame! I have flicked through the various threads before posting, if there is anything on here already I have missed it - I read on pipepedia that the maker had died ?

 

[ssjones]

A grade pipes were just below P grade, from memory.
The laser engraved nomenclature should hold up, but obviously don't damage it!

The mother of all James Upshall threads is here, read those pages and you'll likely glean most of what there is to know about Upshall pipes.

Upshalls had fantastic grain, but diminished by stems made from blanks, vs cut from rod stock. If you aren't picky about the stem, they are a good buy. I've been in cigar/pipe shops all over the mid-Atlantic. Many still have ridiculously over-priced NOS Upshalls (with heavily oxidized stems).

James Upshall Pipes - A Discussion :: British Pipes

So there has been huge decline in upshall pipes online and are not answering emails anymore. I have been wanting one for many years but not found the right one. Once and a while I talk with the Moty to see what is available. The last email about a year ago was from his wife and now nothing. I...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[SaxonX]

A grade pipes were just below P grade, from memory.
The laser engraved nomenclature should hold up, but obviously don't damage it!

The mother of all James Upshall threads is here, read those pages and you'll likely glean most of what there is to know about Upshall pipes.

Upshalls had fantastic grain, but diminished by stems made from blanks, vs cut from rod stock. If you aren't picky about the stem, they are a good buy. I've been in cigar/pipe shops all over the mid-Atlantic. Many still have ridiculously over-priced NOS Upshalls (with heavily oxidized stems).

James Upshall Pipes - A Discussion :: British Pipes

So there has been huge decline in upshall pipes online and are not answering emails anymore. I have been wanting one for many years but not found the right one. Once and a while I talk with the Moty to see what is available. The last email about a year ago was from his wife and now nothing. I...

pipesmagazine.com

Thanks I will take a look, I paid only £22 for it so it seemed a good buy, it is in good order but the stem certainly needs a polish and tidy up before I would want to light it up....

 

[ssjones]

If you can get an Upshall for under $100, you'll be happy!

 

[craig61a]

Nice pipe. This was probably made in the early to mid 1990's or later.

Barry Jones had taken on more responsibility for managing the business since Ken Barnes had left, and stummels were being carved by people other than himself.

These were not laser engraved, they were engraved using the same Hermes engraver that they had used since 1983. The "FH" denoting freehand and "4" denoting group size identifies it as coming from that time period ( mid 1990's forward), as they did not do that prior.

The glory days for James Upshall pipes was in the late 1970's - late 1980's. Pipes from that era are more in demand. They were getting the best briar, and Barry was making the stummels. Pipes made after that time are, in the eyes of collectors less desirable, and bring less of a premium pricewise.

Still, 22 quid is good deal on this pipe.

 

[anotherbob]

a bit beat up but restoration shouldn't be a huge chore.

 

[SaxonX]

Nice pipe. This was probably made in the early to mid 1990's or later.

Barry Jones had taken on more responsibility for managing the business since Ken Barnes had left, and stummels were being carved by people other than himself.

These were not laser engraved, they were engraved using the same Hermes engraver that they had used since 1983. The "FH" denoting freehand and "4" denoting group size identifies it as coming from that time period ( mid 1990's forward), as they did not do that prior.

The glory days for James Upshall pipes was in the late 1970's - late 1980's. Pipes from that era are more in demand. They were getting the best briar, and Barry was making the stummels. Pipes made after that time are, in the eyes of collectors less desirable, and bring less of a premium pricewise.

Still, 22 quid is good deal on this pipe.

 

[SaxonX]

Thanks that's very helpful! I think I will give it a go - I might be a bit more cautious if it was an early one though!

 

[greeneyes]

I never thought someone would make a fake Upshall, but I have no other way of explaining this:

James Upshall Canadian (FH)/ 360 Ring Grain/ Featherweight/ Handmade England | eBay

Draft hole is center and a hair’s breadth above the bottom of the chamber. Pipe has a beautiful, fully unrestricted wide-open draw. Bowl interior is very clean and sound. Tenon to mortise union is sound, snug and flush.

www.ebay.com

 

[SaxonX]

I never thought someone would make a fake Upshall, but I have no other way of explaining this:

James Upshall Canadian (FH)/ 360 Ring Grain/ Featherweight/ Handmade England | eBay

Draft hole is center and a hair’s breadth above the bottom of the chamber. Pipe has a beautiful, fully unrestricted wide-open draw. Bowl interior is very clean and sound. Tenon to mortise union is sound, snug and flush.

www.ebay.com

As I say, I am no expert, really I know nothing....but the markings on the ebay example are very different to mine - is it fake or is it an earlier example?

 

[craig61a]

I never thought someone would make a fake Upshall, but I have no other way of explaining this:

James Upshall Canadian (FH)/ 360 Ring Grain/ Featherweight/ Handmade England | eBay

Draft hole is center and a hair’s breadth above the bottom of the chamber. Pipe has a beautiful, fully unrestricted wide-open draw. Bowl interior is very clean and sound. Tenon to mortise union is sound, snug and flush.

www.ebay.com

Technically not a fake Upshall, but more likely a "Moti" special.

Moti Ezrati, who bought the company after it went bankrupt in the late 1990's, was known to stamp stummels not made there with the Upshall banner... thereby taking advantage of the Upshall name.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Thanks I will take a look, I paid only £22 for it so it seemed a good buy, it is in good order but the stem certainly needs a polish and tidy up before I would want to light it up....

22 is a steal for any upshall.

 

[alaskanpiper]

This is a more recent Upshall as the identifying stamp was laser-engraved. Had you posted this a year ago the man who likely made this pipe might have told you the very date he made it and what he had for lunch that day. Alas, cancer has taken him from us. He was modest and kind, and a genius with briar. Unless he has answered a question like yours in these archives, and he may well have, the knowledge may well otherwise be lost to oblivion for ever.

Wait, what???? Are you talking about Ken Barnes??? He died? Thats AWFUL!

I can’t believe I hadn’t heard about this. His contribution here was so incredible. What a shame.

 

[craig61a]

Ken Barnes Passed Away? :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion :: Pipe Smokers Forums of PipesMagazine.com

 

[Ag®o]

R. I. P. Great Ken...

Speaking of J. U., does anyone know the meaning of an "R" placed to the right of the logo?

 

[samuelgawith01]

View attachment 107505View attachment 107506View attachment 107507View attachment 107504I bought this estate pipe at auction just this week on a whim, I thought it would make a good case for a first go at restoration. On doing some research on getting it home, I find they appear to be quite desirable. I can't thought find out about this style or its value or rarity etc. I don't want to accidentally wreck a classic so any advice on whether to restore or leave it as would be appreciated as would any info specific to this model and grade.

Nice piece of wood. I'm happy for you.
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