Most Expensive Pipes Sold Ever

[Hfinn]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Hi there! Does anyone have information on the most expensive pipes that have been sold? Not the expensive ones that you can see in the store, but those that were exactly sold, at an auction or elsewhere. It's just interesting to know what the maximum amount of money a person is willing to shell out for such a thing as a briar pipe.

 

[mso489]

It's probably a very high end hand-carved pipe that belonged to some historical figure or major celebrity. The record may belong to a pipe sold at auction, so the price paid was public, but the actual record may be a deal done out of the public view that we will never know. Marilyn Monroe's full bent Dublin.

 

[shanez]

I'm not sure if it was ever "sold" per se but the most expensive pipe I know of is Dunhill's Eiffel Tower pipe valued at $3.5M.

As far as what someone is willing to shell out, $10K-$20K for a pipe is probably on the low end or starting end for high value pipes.

 

[Old School 3319]

Anytime I buy a pipe I think its too expensive. But I am a cheap old grouchy bastard. So thats about 40 bucks lol

 

[kcghost]

A Bo Nordh or a Sixten Ivarssen can bring up to $40K if it is one of their classic shapes and unsmoked.

 

[Rock3r4life]

I'm not sure if it was ever "sold" per se but the most expensive pipe I know of is Dunhill's Eiffel Tower pipe valued at $3.5M.

As far as what someone is willing to shell out, $10K-$20K for a pipe is probably on the low end or starting end for high value pipes.

Aye carumba. Paying that much for a small bowl and tube is just not feasible to me; akin to an expensive "stick bow" (archery recurve, it could literally be taking down to the fact it is ac6a stick and a string)

 

[sablebrush52]

One of Einstein's pipes went for 52,000 GBP, equivalent to 71,453 USD. Of course, the guy who bought it was no Einstein.

 

[mso489]

One aspect of stratospheric priced auction items -- paintings, automobiles, pipes, whatever -- is that the prices are not settled over time, and they don't always go up, a bit like blue chip stocks. The market can move away from any particular item and leave it at half its previous value, or of course gain in value (what someone will pay). The causes are intangible -- sociological, cultural, economic, inexplicable. The show Antiques Road Show has started comparing valuations from past shows to current valuations for individual items, and they go both ways, and can be much more or much less.

 

[autumnfog]

I'm not sure if it was ever "sold" per se but the most expensive pipe I know of is Dunhill's Eiffel Tower pipe valued at $3.5M.

That thing is not a pipe. It is an abomination.

 

[Hfinn]

I saw a Jess Chonowitsch pipe in the store, it has a very high price. I read on pipedia that he dries briar for 18-24 months and gets some special results. There are very few of these pipes on the market and the prices are just insane, in the photo there is example for $6,800.

 

[Chasing Embers]

That thing is not a pipe. It is an abomination.

Completely correct, it's a Dunhill.

 

[BROBS]

I saw a Jess Chonowitsch pipe in the store, it has a very high price. I read on pipedia that he dries briar for 18-24 months and gets some special results. There are very few of these pipes on the market and the prices are just insane, in the photo there is example for $6,800.

View attachment 75663

You too can grossly overpay for basically a straight grain Peterson 106

there’s a word for those who spend dumb amounts on something that isn’t worth it to anyone but themself.

 

[Old School 3319]

I saw a Jess Chonowitsch pipe in the store, it has a very high price. I read on pipedia that he dries briar for 18-24 months and gets some special results. There are very few of these pipes on the market and the prices are just insane, in the photo there is example for $6,800.

View attachment 75663

What am I missing it looks like an average pipe

 

[Hfinn]

What am I missing it looks like an average pipe

God forbid everyone such a financial condition )

 

[saltedplug]

I thought it was a Jess pipe.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

What am I missing it looks like an average pipe

The best part is seeing the flared slot in the button makes me feel better about widening most of the slots in my pipes by accident.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

As we used to say in big pharma, the most expensive drug is the one that doesn’t work. Perhaps applicable to pipes and such. ....lol!!

 

[STP]

Don’t get me wrong, I like fine pipes, but would like to see blind smoke tests from some of the pipe “experts” comparing reasonably priced pipes like Rossi, Gigi, Chacom, Brigham, etc., with Castello, Dunhill, Chonowitsch, Manduela, etc. While you often “get what you pay for”, like appliances, tool, cars, etc., I suspect that this “generally” don’t apply to reputable pipe makers. Appearance is obviously something separate, hence, the blind... and garners its own worth.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

At my grocery a person pulled out from the parking spot driving a 1980’s Mercedes diesel. Those were expensive back then, but it has lasted and stood the test of time. I’m sure he’s done what it took the make it last.

 

[cshubhra]

Before this thread gets derailed ? -

If my interest in pipe smoking remains as it is today - I fully expect myself to collect the holy trinity of Danish pipes - Sixten Ivarsson, Jess Chonowitsch and Bo Nordh. Right now I am 1/3 - Pictured below is my Jess Chonowitsch

Yes it smokes as good as my other best smokers ?