James Upshall Pipes - A Discussion

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craig61a

Lifer
Apr 29, 2017
5,767
47,569
Minnesota USA
Let’s do this... loaded up some Dunbar. Fabulous pipe this.
CBFE4903-F57-F-4164-B23-D-76901-E361023.jpg


 
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creole

Might Stick Around
Jul 31, 2019
56
63
I have the same large billiard with thin shank as posted above. It was my first James Upshall pipe and has been a favorite over the years. I bought it at De La Concha in New York in 1984 or 1985. Mine has the letter “ R “ stamped to the right of the James Upshall logo but I have not been able to determine what this signifies. If anybody can tell me what the R stamping means I would be grateful.

 

kenbarnes

Can't Leave
Nov 12, 2015
441
374
Hello creole and welcome to this forum. I would be really interested to see a picture of this pipe as I would probably be able to tell you when I see the stamp etc. Lionel Melindi, the owner of De La Concha was a really good client of ours during these years and sold some really super pipes from Tilshead Pipe Co.

 
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creole

Might Stick Around
Jul 31, 2019
56
63
Thank you Ken. I welcome your insight and will post a photo as soon as I am able.

 

laniromee

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jul 31, 2018
105
129
Hello, Ken!
Inspired by your posts and stories in this thread I got me a James Upshall grade G. Think you could tell me anything about it?
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kenbarnes

Can't Leave
Nov 12, 2015
441
374
Yes, I agree with ssjones, these G grades are rare. This pipe looks lovely and has some fine grain too. I think it was made in the 1980s after 1983. The engraving machine that we used did not allow us to engrave the James Upshall on the 'top side' of the shank on this pipe so it was engraved on the underside.

 
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laniromee

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jul 31, 2018
105
129
@kenbarnes
I was placing it in the 80's following all the information in this thread. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and a little bit more about my pipe!

 

hauntedmyst

Lifer
Feb 1, 2010
4,006
20,750
Chicago
The second arrived today. Except for a small flyspeck at the front top part of the bowl, I see no flaws.
That is beautiful! Tilsheads are odd birds. They are seconds but usually show better than many "first" from other pipes. I was just looking at mine today and can't figure out why it wasn't an Upshall.

 

kenbarnes

Can't Leave
Nov 12, 2015
441
374
I was just looking at mine today and can't figure out why it wasn't an Upshall.

If it is a Tilshead Natural finish, a small unfilled flaw will be there, which could also be in the tobacco chamber (which were left natural). If the Tilshead was in a plum/red finish, the tobacco chamber would have been 'carbonized' and the flaw would not be seen. There is a flaw there somewhere - happy hunting!

 

laniromee

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jul 31, 2018
105
129
Hey, @kenbarnes!

I have just acquired another JU and I'm eager to see if you could tell me something about it. I'm placing it in the 80s after '83 like the other one I got by following the same clues (stam positioning). Am I right?

This one is also a lovely bent bulldog and a B grade!

3623

3624

3625

3626

3627
 

alexj52

Starting to Get Obsessed
Sep 26, 2018
177
21
Hello Mr. Barnes and fellow Upshall fans! Just purchased an estate Upshall from eBay, a nice XL bent. However, the stamping "DS" is new to me, can anyone help me identify what the letters stand for? Plus, I would like to know if the lack of the "FH" stamp always indicates that the pipe was made when Mr. Barnes was still working in JU.
Thanks in advance!
 

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paulfg

Lifer
Feb 21, 2016
1,568
2,933
Corfu Greece
re the DS stamping,not a grade but the seller
a reply from Ken Barnes in 2017

kenbarnes

Senior Member

  • Hi sumusfumus, as ssjones said the DS is for Desmond Sautter, Mount Street, Mayfair. Desmond was a shop that really sold James Upshall in a big way and one day he asked me whether we could put his initials on the James Upshalls that he sold. I said that I will check with Barry, my partner at the time and yes we stamped this on all the Upshalls he sold.
 
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ssjones

Moderator
Staff member
May 11, 2011
18,322
11,091
Maryland
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alexj52

Starting to Get Obsessed
Sep 26, 2018
177
21
Thanks for the information! Wonder which grade this pipe would've received if it wasn't stamped in this unique way.
 

jojoc

Starting to Get Obsessed
May 10, 2019
200
121
I believe the pipe is post Ken Barnes era. The sizing stamp started after he left.
 
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kenbarnes

Can't Leave
Nov 12, 2015
441
374
Thanks jojoc,
indeed, this pipe was made and sold after I left the firm.
Desmond Sautter may have had an agreement with Barry that he would sell Upshalls with the 'grade DS' - selected by Desmond himself. This pipe was probably earmarked as a 'B grade' natural finish and probably sold for more than a B grade in the Mayfair shop.
I reckon this pipe was made in the early part of the 1990s. Nice piece!
 
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alexj52

Starting to Get Obsessed
Sep 26, 2018
177
21
Thanks jojoc,
indeed, this pipe was made and sold after I left the firm.
Desmond Sautter may have had an agreement with Barry that he would sell Upshalls with the 'grade DS' - selected by Desmond himself. This pipe was probably earmarked as a 'B grade' natural finish and probably sold for more than a B grade in the Mayfair shop.
I reckon this pipe was made in the early part of the 1990s. Nice piece!
Thanks for the reply sir! Good to know that despite lacking the golden stamp, it's supposed to be the equivalent of a B grade.