Well I went antiquing again today and I came across this lovely little Meerschaum pipe and the seller wanted $25 for it. I have been wanting a Meer for a long time so I thought it over as I went around the rest of the shop, and I decided if he would take $20 then I would buy it! Well I made my offer and after a little thinking he agreed to my price. I was a pretty happy camper even though I had no idea if this was a cheap pressed Meer or a nice block Meer... The only thing I knew is that it claimed to be "Real Meerschaum!
So I get home and I start doing a little research and after searching and searching I found out who the carver is... It is Andreas Bauer and apparently he is one of the greats! Here is what Pipedia had to say...
Here it is in all its glory...
P.S. - Anyone know how to restore an estate Meerschaum pipe and want to give me some tips?
So I get home and I start doing a little research and after searching and searching I found out who the carver is... It is Andreas Bauer and apparently he is one of the greats! Here is what Pipedia had to say...
And from Smokingpipes.com....Andreas Bauer of Vienna was probably the most famous brand manufacturing Meerschaum pipes - the best of the best.
Now I am not certain what year mine was made in but the case seems pretty old but I could be wrong! I know nothing of Meers so I could always use some help!Founded in Vienna in 1908, Andreas Bauer quickly developed what would become the single largest producer of meerschaum pipes up until the second Word War. In most "normal" planes of existence, there is supposed to be a trade-off between quality and quantity, but (evidently) the word never got to Andreas Bauer; at the very height of their production they were raking in Gold Medals for excellence and design (such as the one they were awarded at the 1937 Paris World Exhibition).
Then, or now, to own a Bauer meerschaum is to own an iconic meerschaum, the likes of which have never been surpassed.
Here it is in all its glory...
P.S. - Anyone know how to restore an estate Meerschaum pipe and want to give me some tips?