James Upshall Pipes - A Discussion
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Hi, I send this message upon request of M. Ken Barnes after I contacted him for information about a specific pipe (a G-graded Upshall). I am new to this forum and live in Belgium and as I am not a native english speaker or writer, please accept my apologies for any awkward choice of wording or grammatical anomalies. Amongst my 30-something pipes, I own 5 Upshalls (2 P-grades(a very big canadian, and a smallish apple), 1 A-grade (a plateau dublin, with a mouthpiece that is considerabely better that that of the P-grades), 1 Tilshead (a lightly bent dublin with a remarkable, 'verticaly' oval shank) and a nice, unsmoked G-grade. Most of them were acquired as 'estates'. The G-grade (see pictures below) however is in 'virgin'-state and presented in a nicely finished wooden presentation box, marked James Upshall on the inside as well. Notwithstanding its generous but elegant proportions, it only weighs 60 grams. Furthermore the underside shank is cut as a kind of flatted triangle form, while the upperside is rounded 'as normal'. The JU logo on the stem seems to be gold-coloured. Could anyone give me additional information on the production date of the pipe ? I understood from M. Barnes that the wooden presentation was not used during his era in the Upshall company, so maybe it was added by a vendor as marketing ?
I typically smoke all the pipes I have regularly, but now I hesitate to break in and smoke this thing of beauty. I know ... I know...it is a tobacco pipe after all created by M. Barnes or M. Jones to offer a very elegant and effortless smoke sensation, but now that M. Ezrati has passed away and M. Barry Jones has retired, I am afraid that this will mean the final end of the Upshall story, and as the pipe in such pristine and unsmoked state (it really looks as if it comes straight from its last factory polish) I am afraid to ruin the value of this beautifull pipe forever for a real collector. What is your opinion on this and could anyone make an attempt on dating this pipe ?
Best regards, Dirk
I typically smoke all the pipes I have regularly, but now I hesitate to break in and smoke this thing of beauty. I know ... I know...it is a tobacco pipe after all created by M. Barnes or M. Jones to offer a very elegant and effortless smoke sensation, but now that M. Ezrati has passed away and M. Barry Jones has retired, I am afraid that this will mean the final end of the Upshall story, and as the pipe in such pristine and unsmoked state (it really looks as if it comes straight from its last factory polish) I am afraid to ruin the value of this beautifull pipe forever for a real collector. What is your opinion on this and could anyone make an attempt on dating this pipe ?
Best regards, Dirk
That is a gorgeous G Dirk! I fixed two of the pictures, you aren't getting URL link right (you have to insert the properties address, not the webpage URL it appears for a Google doc).
Wish I could see dirks pipes.. someone may have to just have Dirk email the pics and post them for everyone to see.
Just wanted to give you an update on that James Upshall pipe that I had been discussing with KenB. I did receive it a week ago Saturday in a box of pipes for restoration I received from my friend. I traded restoration work in return for the pipe, which I do a lot.
Anyway, I did message KenB about the stem and tenon set up on this pipe not being original. The tenon is pressed/glued into the shank and the stem is countersunk to fit over the shank, and Ken verified what I had already figured, not original. The stem does fit snug onto the tenon, so for now I'll leave it as is. Then I got to looking at the angle that both the shank and stem were cut at and figured I would at least give it a shot at straightening this mess out. If for no other reason then I knew I couldn't make it any worse then the hacked and amatuer mess it was now. So using sandpaper (400 grit wet/dry) and a pen file on the shank, being ever so slow and careful. And for the stem, I figured a flat surface and 320 grit sandpaper would do it. The stem was the easy part, but I spent about 6 hours doing the shank. I managed to get both "effectively" straight but I'm still left with a small gap (1 or 2mm) between the shank and stem. I realize that unlike George, or any other pipe repair professional, I don't have the proper tools to actually make it perfect. But that wasn't my intention, instead it was only my intent to hopefully erase the unbeievable hack job that had been done to this Masterpiece of a pipe. It's obvious to me that some people don't deserve to own anything nice. The pipe was otherwise remarkably clean and looked barely smoked, so the only other thing I did was to sand off the original finish and restained it with Fiebings Light Brown.
I've included some photo's, and I'm in full agreement with Ken who said that this Upshall needs to be given to George, and have him drill out the cheap plastic tennon that's glued into the shank and have a proper vulcanite stem cut for the pipe. Unfortunately, with Christmas fast approaching, and the accociated expenses, it will have to wait until after the first of the year. As I'm retired, and not independently wealthy. The main reason I bought this Upshall was to save it, and keep it from falling into the hands of another amateur hack, or into the hands of someone looking to score a high-end pipe for cheap and treating it as a pocket pipe or work pipe. To me, this pipe represents the last vestiges of the Charatan Pipe Company, and I will treat it as such. And it smokes??...just like a Charatan.....cool, dry and smooth as silk.
I have it, it's not going anywhere, and will be properly fixed in due time.
Anyway, I did message KenB about the stem and tenon set up on this pipe not being original. The tenon is pressed/glued into the shank and the stem is countersunk to fit over the shank, and Ken verified what I had already figured, not original. The stem does fit snug onto the tenon, so for now I'll leave it as is. Then I got to looking at the angle that both the shank and stem were cut at and figured I would at least give it a shot at straightening this mess out. If for no other reason then I knew I couldn't make it any worse then the hacked and amatuer mess it was now. So using sandpaper (400 grit wet/dry) and a pen file on the shank, being ever so slow and careful. And for the stem, I figured a flat surface and 320 grit sandpaper would do it. The stem was the easy part, but I spent about 6 hours doing the shank. I managed to get both "effectively" straight but I'm still left with a small gap (1 or 2mm) between the shank and stem. I realize that unlike George, or any other pipe repair professional, I don't have the proper tools to actually make it perfect. But that wasn't my intention, instead it was only my intent to hopefully erase the unbeievable hack job that had been done to this Masterpiece of a pipe. It's obvious to me that some people don't deserve to own anything nice. The pipe was otherwise remarkably clean and looked barely smoked, so the only other thing I did was to sand off the original finish and restained it with Fiebings Light Brown.
I've included some photo's, and I'm in full agreement with Ken who said that this Upshall needs to be given to George, and have him drill out the cheap plastic tennon that's glued into the shank and have a proper vulcanite stem cut for the pipe. Unfortunately, with Christmas fast approaching, and the accociated expenses, it will have to wait until after the first of the year. As I'm retired, and not independently wealthy. The main reason I bought this Upshall was to save it, and keep it from falling into the hands of another amateur hack, or into the hands of someone looking to score a high-end pipe for cheap and treating it as a pocket pipe or work pipe. To me, this pipe represents the last vestiges of the Charatan Pipe Company, and I will treat it as such. And it smokes??...just like a Charatan.....cool, dry and smooth as silk.
I have it, it's not going anywhere, and will be properly fixed in due time.
Before......
After.....
After.....
Thank your very much Tarheel1... I was giving up trying to attach the images. Damned...you never get the a second chance to make a first impression 
Sorry to all forum members that lost time in trying to open the pics in my earlier attempts. There goes my reputation as a social media-geek. Anyway, all reactions to my first post/request remain very welcome.
Sorry to all forum members that lost time in trying to open the pics in my earlier attempts. There goes my reputation as a social media-geek. Anyway, all reactions to my first post/request remain very welcome.
seadog: well, it looks a lot better and I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I think the stamping dates it to about 1982 - before we started using an engraving machine. It has all the style of a Charatan/Upshall (Charup)
I am sure that georged would give it his best with regards to the fitting and a lovely new handcut vulcanite.
I am sure that georged would give it his best with regards to the fitting and a lovely new handcut vulcanite.
No worries dime! I truly appreciate the patience that was shown to me when I first attempted to load a photo on this thread..... "what a palaver on the Costa Brava".
This is a really fine pipe. I think it was made in the 1980s as it has the simple engraving on it with no FH or size numbers. I have just had a long telephone chat with Barry which we do occasionally and he says that he never made boxes like this when he owned the company. It could be a 'Moty production' though.
The shape is typical of the era when we were making freehand 'horn' or 'huntsman' types. I see it is unsmoked, are you contemplating filling it?
This is a really fine pipe. I think it was made in the 1980s as it has the simple engraving on it with no FH or size numbers. I have just had a long telephone chat with Barry which we do occasionally and he says that he never made boxes like this when he owned the company. It could be a 'Moty production' though.
The shape is typical of the era when we were making freehand 'horn' or 'huntsman' types. I see it is unsmoked, are you contemplating filling it?
Hi Ken, thank you for the information. It is indeed unsmoked. Do I comtemplate filling it ? Personally I say yes, unless someone here convinces me not to...
I consider myself first of all a pipesmoker and then a collector and I smoke all the other pipes in my possession (a few years ago I broke in a 'new' unsmoked pipe from 1907 (a nice looking mahogany coloured full bent billiard with silver ferrule and a egg yoke amber stem). Excellent tasting smoker BTW, and it somehow gives a special feeling knowing to be smoking a nice pipe that survived 2 world wars.
If I were a pipemaker giving the best of my insights in the material and of my skills, I would like my pipes to be smoked and appreciated as a pipe as well. After all, it remains a beautifully and skillfully executed tool. But I realise that it will never look as good as it looks now and that may hurt the collector who is interested in the pipe as an object of beauty that deserves to be preserved in its original state (for historical, and probably also financial reasons).
I consider myself first of all a pipesmoker and then a collector and I smoke all the other pipes in my possession (a few years ago I broke in a 'new' unsmoked pipe from 1907 (a nice looking mahogany coloured full bent billiard with silver ferrule and a egg yoke amber stem). Excellent tasting smoker BTW, and it somehow gives a special feeling knowing to be smoking a nice pipe that survived 2 world wars.
If I were a pipemaker giving the best of my insights in the material and of my skills, I would like my pipes to be smoked and appreciated as a pipe as well. After all, it remains a beautifully and skillfully executed tool. But I realise that it will never look as good as it looks now and that may hurt the collector who is interested in the pipe as an object of beauty that deserves to be preserved in its original state (for historical, and probably also financial reasons).
these 6 pipes belong to a friend of mine who smokes them all regularly. So inspiring to see them in such good condition after many years. I think one thing he does is rotating them and let them cool right down - leave them for a long period before filling them with another bowlful.
Incidentally, this picture includes XXs, Xs and a Charatan Supreme. Mind blowing eh?
Hello Pipes Magazine people! I have been studying this thread with great interest, as it isn't often that such first-hand expertise shows up! I hope that perhaps someone here can help me to learn more about a James Upshall Tilshead that recently became mine.
I am relatively new to pipe smoking, but I must say there aren't many activities which are so simply and conveniently enjoyable and relaxing. For me, it all started when I was enjoying a cigar with a neighbor of mine who worked for many years at one of our local tobacconist shops. The topic of pipes and pipe tobacco came up, and by the end of my cigar, he had retrieved this lovely Tilshead and just gave it to me to try out and enjoy.
I've read what little I can find on the net regarding JU, and pored over pictures of other Tilsheads and Upshall pipes, but I have yet to find a picture of another one with the same shape. For your reference, it appears to be a bent billiard, but it has an unusual 'bump out' and flat bottom on the briar that I haven't seen elsewhere. The pipe itself is 6.5" long, and the briar is 5cm tall. Manufacturer markings are minimal, with 'Tilshead England' engraved on the left side of the shank, and 'Made by Hand' engraved on the right. There are no other markings to speak of. The pipe appears to have been used very minimally.
That said, I suppose my questions are as follows:
1. Would any of you care to take a stab at how old this piece might be, based on the information and pictures?
2. Can anyone elaborate more on the interesting and unique variation on the billiard shape that this pipe presents?
3. Do you think that the current stem is the original?
4. Can anyone more knowledgeable than me identify what type of grain pattern is represented?
5. What finish would you call this?
6. Is there anything that I can/should do to improve the shine and lustre of the briar?
I will truly appreciate any and all feedback and answers. Receiving this gift has opened a world to me that I think I will enjoy for many years to come.
Thanks!
I am relatively new to pipe smoking, but I must say there aren't many activities which are so simply and conveniently enjoyable and relaxing. For me, it all started when I was enjoying a cigar with a neighbor of mine who worked for many years at one of our local tobacconist shops. The topic of pipes and pipe tobacco came up, and by the end of my cigar, he had retrieved this lovely Tilshead and just gave it to me to try out and enjoy.
I've read what little I can find on the net regarding JU, and pored over pictures of other Tilsheads and Upshall pipes, but I have yet to find a picture of another one with the same shape. For your reference, it appears to be a bent billiard, but it has an unusual 'bump out' and flat bottom on the briar that I haven't seen elsewhere. The pipe itself is 6.5" long, and the briar is 5cm tall. Manufacturer markings are minimal, with 'Tilshead England' engraved on the left side of the shank, and 'Made by Hand' engraved on the right. There are no other markings to speak of. The pipe appears to have been used very minimally.
That said, I suppose my questions are as follows:
1. Would any of you care to take a stab at how old this piece might be, based on the information and pictures?
2. Can anyone elaborate more on the interesting and unique variation on the billiard shape that this pipe presents?
3. Do you think that the current stem is the original?
4. Can anyone more knowledgeable than me identify what type of grain pattern is represented?
5. What finish would you call this?
6. Is there anything that I can/should do to improve the shine and lustre of the briar?
I will truly appreciate any and all feedback and answers. Receiving this gift has opened a world to me that I think I will enjoy for many years to come.
Thanks!