Lattice meerschaum pipe

[rockynrobyn]

Hello everyone. I was in a second hand store that sells a little bit of everything and saw they had some pipes for sale. One of them was a bent billiard lattice meerschaum. It is unsmoked and felt quite light in my hand. I’ve never held a meerschaum pipe until this one so I have nothing to compare it to as far as the weight goes but it felt similar or maybe even a little bit lighter than my Brigham shape # 29 ( bent Apple ) briar pipe. I didn’t think to take a picture of it, but next time I’m at the store, I’ll see if they will allow me to take some pics. The price is $89.00. The store owner said the gentleman who brought it in claimed to have paid close to $200 for it. I’m wondering if there is a way to tell wether this pipe is made from block or pressed meerschaum?

Thanks

 

[Chasing Embers]

Wet your finger and touch the inside of the chamber. If it sticks, it's block.

 

[rockynrobyn]

@chasing embers.... hi, thanks for the help. I’ll do that. Do meers heat up quite a bit while smoking?

 

[Chasing Embers]

They get warm, but not finger burning like morta and clay. If you puff on them a lot they can though.

 

[jpmcwjr]

That seems steep if the pipe is nothing special, but may be a good deal if it's very well made. Photos would be indispensable.

 

[weezell]

^^^Yes, pics please...

 

[jpmcwjr]

Another thought: If the shopkeeper won't let you photo the pipe, I'd pass, unless it has a case with some ID in it.

 

[cortezattic]

I can't imagine doing intricate lattice work on non-block meerschaum; and the light weight also suggests block meerschaum. If the pipe is a standard size -- not a miniature -- then IMO, $89 sounds very reasonable for an unsmoked meerschaum.

 

[rockynrobyn]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I’m going to go down to the store and take some pictures up close and post them here. Thanks again.

 

[mikethompson]

Don't be scared off if it isn't block. I have a cultured Meerschaum (different than pressed or block) and it smokes beautifully.
If you like the pipe and you can afford it, go for it.

 

[crashthegrey]

Meer is a pleasure to smoke from and a different experience. I say go for it.

 

[akfilm]

Sounds like a great pipe. For an estate, no-name meer I'd drop $90 bucks in a heart beat for a bent lattice. My gut says it'll be a servi-meershcaum

 

[jonasclark]

I'd assume it's block (pressed meerschaum is hard to carve intricately, and lattice takes some serious work). $90 seems fair, especially if it has a case. I, too, want to see photos.

 

[rockynrobyn]

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[rockynrobyn]

Hi everyone, sorry it took me so long to get some pictures of the pipe, the price is $ 89.00. There is a small chip on the rim. Also, as you can see from the picture, the tennon has come out of the stem. I put a drop of water on my finger and touched the inside of the bowl and it stuck in multiple places. So what do you guys think? Is it worth the price they are asking?

 

[rockynrobyn]

Hmmm... not sure what I’m doing wrong. I followed the instructions for adding pictures to a post but it looks like I’m doing something wrong. I’m on an iPhone. Can someone pls help? Thanks

 

[rockynrobyn]

http://pipesmagazine.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/album/18441/06bca627-c86b-4633-86e1-235d6bf1fb62-600x450.jpg

http://pipesmagazine.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/album/18441/ec4b9797-b5bd-4599-8508-4566617414ac-600x450.jpg

http://pipesmagazine.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/album/18441/607f28cc-cbd2-4354-b97b-8c884a0e72f6-600x450.jpg

http://pipesmagazine.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/album/18441/0d0306ec-4f46-41b3-9eaa-4969c8a0f2c8-600x450.jpg

Ok I got it figured out lol. So as I was saying, there is a chip on the rim and the tennon has come out of the stem. It is definitely block meerschaum. Do you guys think $89.00 is a good deal?

Thanks for any input.

 

[josephcross]

It looks like a nice pipe and I’d say it’s block, especially if it sticks. If you can afford it and like it, buy it. I also like the fact it’s unsmoked, I recently bought an estate meer and have had the darndest time evicting the resident ghost.

 

[cortezattic]

That does not look like a $200 meerschaum! The lattice work is "basic" -- acceptable, but not particularly ornate. Here's one from The Meerschaum Store, new, for much less. (linked image)


Also, you mentioned some kind of issue with the tenon. I'd take a pass on the one you found. The Turkish dollar is currently in a tailspin. We should be seeing brand new meers at really affordable prices.

 

[crashthegrey]

Chipped and loose tenon, I would skip.