need assistance and advice re identification of pipes

[angel]

I am writing with the hope that I might be able to get some assistance and some advice and direction.
I have about 44 pipes and some 8 pipe stands etc. that were my fathers. I have no knowledge in this area and would appreciate any assistance in this matter.
I have taken some pictures, as well as some close-up’s.
I don't know how to post them or attach them to this note.
I really do not have any knowledge on how to clean them and bring them back to their luster.
I would like to sell them. Any help of their value and identification would be greatly appreciated.
There are also some tobacco cans and pouches they still have the tobacco in them.
Sincerely Angel

 

[sablebrush52]

If you want to learn about pipes there are a number of sites online where you can match the stampings and learn about what you have. Two that come to mind are: http://www.pipephil.eu/logos/en/index-en.html and http://pipedia.org/. Pipephil is loaded with images of stampings and logos and is a good place for the novice to begin. Pipedia is a wiki that has a lot of information about pipes from all over the world and you can learn more about the pipes that you have identified.

I agree that you should let a professional handle restoration, should you decide to do that. You'll do better in auction if they're presentable. Pipe collectors can be particular about condition and will run from an improperly done cleaning job, which can ruin both a pipe and its value. It's not that cleaning a pipe is rocket science and there's a lot of information available here and in the archives at pipes.org. But cleaning properly takes practice and you can easily spoil a valuable pipe through inexperience.

Before spending coin on restoration and cleaning, spend some time following auctions of pipes of similar make to see what the market value could be. There isn't any sense in spending more on fixing up a pipe than it will bring in.

And if you really don't want to bother with any of this, sending your collection to an experienced pipe dealer as the previous writer suggested, is a good way to go.