Let's Talk About The Prince!

[peckinpahhombre]

I will be honest and admit that the prince is in my top 5 least favourite shapes. To my eye, it just looks to effeminate and I am not sure why. Michael Parks has made many princes and just loves the shape. He has tried to convince me to buy one of his a few times, and I just can't bring myself to do it.
Who knows - maybe the shape will grow on me over time, just like some others have.

 

[huntertrw]

Could it be that peck will soon tap into his "feminine side"? Stay tuned!

 

[beefeater33]

For years the Prince shape never appealed to me, then over time, I'm drawn to them more and more. I have a few, and they all smoke well with plugs/ropes for me.

Here's one I'd love to have but will probably bring top dollar: 1920's Patent Prince

 

[johnnyreb]

To my eye, it just looks to effeminate and I am not sure why.

"And thus started the decline in prices on the secondary market from which the Prince never fully recovered."

 

[huntertrw]

"And thus started the decline in prices on the secondary market from which the Prince never fully recovered."
So that's how this works! Peck then discovers his "feminine side" and scores numerous fine estate Princes at bargain-basement prices. Smart. Very smart.

 

[johnnyreb]

So that's how this works! Peck then discovers his "feminine side" and scores numerous fine estate Princes at bargain-basement prices. Smart. Very smart.

There will be a "short squeeze" as he buys up the depressed secondary market as Prince owners unload their effeminate style pipes, then begins to take delivery of future commissions on artesian Prince shaped pipes. Market prices will begin to creep northward again as new buyers recognize the limited availability of the Prince and become accustomed to its femininity.

 

[mephistopheles]

Ah, the Prince. The finest of shapes! It is my favorite as well. I actually got my first Prince shaped pipe from Voorhees. :D It is an absolutely lovely little pipe that has brought me much joy and is the focal point of my small collection.

 

[moriarty]

Regarding the masculinity or otherwise of the Prince shape, I think in terms of it being elegant and slender, which may be closer to feminine than masculine ideals today. But I think it makes most sense to consider the Prince as a product of 1920s design. An era concerned with glamour, luxury and style. The Prince, I think, is close in feel to the long cigarette holders that were employed then by both sexes and denoted style rather than femininity. And maybe the Prince is influenced by the streamline aesthetic of the period. I imagine Gatsby might have chosen to smoke a Prince if he were a pipe man.
Is it masculine? Perhaps not very, but for me that is viewing the design through slightly the wrong lens. I admit that a Prince may look silly if smoked by a large fellow of robust constitution, and if I was working on an oil rig and allowed to smoke a pipe I would choose something else. But there is no other pipe as stylish as a Prince.

 

[seacaptain]

Regarding the masculinity or otherwise of the Prince shape, I think in terms of it being elegant and slender, which may be closer to feminine than masculine ideals today. But I think it makes most sense to consider the Prince as a product of 1920s design. An era concerned with glamour, luxury and style. The Prince, I think, is close in feel to the long cigarette holders that were employed then by both sexes and denoted style rather than femininity. And maybe the Prince is influenced by the streamline aesthetic of the period. I imagine Gatsby might have chosen to smoke a Prince if he were a pipe man.
Is it masculine? Perhaps not very, but for me that is viewing the design through slightly the wrong lens. I admit that a Prince may look silly if smoked by a large fellow of robust constitution, and if I was working on an oil rig and allowed to smoke a pipe I would choose something else. But there is no other pipe as stylish as a Prince.

I think that analysis is spot on.
And I'll add, I think pipe smoking by definition is masculine. As you note above, different shapes are about different social settings, not masculine vs feminine. You wouldn't smoke a prince on an oil rig and conversely you wouldn't smoke a cob at the country club.
I have to admit though, that purple stemmed prince doesn't help the perception.

 

[moriarty]

I have to admit though, that purple stemmed prince doesn't help the perception.

Heh, heh. Yes, I'll admit the lilac stem isn't everyone's cup of tea. It looks quite a bit calmer now that the briar has darkened with smoking. As the vendor said to me when he showed me the pipe, you have to be fairly confident in your sexuality to carry this one off. My view? Smoking a pipe is a pretty big statement these days, so why the hell not a big lilac and bright yellow statement? I took a brave-pill and bought it.
Anyway, time to get back to work. These oil rigs are busy places.

 

[johnnyreb]

Purple, lilac? It's Periwinkle. I've been thinking about commissioning a big XL Freehand with a Periwinkle stem.

 

[moriarty]

Purple, lilac? It's Periwinkle. I've been thinking about commissioning a big XL Freehand with a Periwinkle stem.

Good call. You're absolutely right. And I've learned something today.
Where did you accumulate this wonderful knowledge? Are you a designer or artist, or something on these lines?

 

[johnnyreb]

Where did you accumulate this wonderful knowledge? Are you a designer or artist, or something on these lines?

No, my wife chose Periwinkle as a soothing color for her bathroom.

 

[moriarty]

It seems I'm not the best with colours. I commissioned this Prince from Chris Askwith and asked for the "snot green" stem. He said we could call it that but he thinks of it as "pale jade". The pipe came out beautifully, though.

 

[seadogontheland]

Great analysis of the Prince and its role in society back in the early part of last Century, Moriarty.

I agree with you completely. Just make sure when you are out on the town with your prince that you don't break a heel or get a run in your stocking if attending to making sure that fine fem-pipe stays lit. :nana:

 

[beefeater33]

Here's one I'd love to have but will probably bring top dollar: 1920's Patent Prince

1920's Patent Prince

$738............sigh, maybe next time........... :?