Newbie question here, but do Meers retain value?

[DeWitt1912]

Pretty much what the title says. I'm wondering if meerschaum pipes, if well cared for, hold their value?

I'm thinking on buying a $300-400 eagle claw meerschaum that I can call my "flagship" of pipes, so to speak and I'm looking for justifications to help rationalize the purchase. I'm a man who wants to be sold.

I thought eagle claws were some kind of gimmick until i discovered that eagle claw owned by Jefferson Davis, and now I must have one!

 

[Sigmund]

Its safe to say that most items bought new heavily depreciate. Buy it becuase you want it. Its hard to predict what will later be more collectable. Also, probably sooner than later there will be way too many pipes and way too few smokers. Invest in stocks, buy pipes.

You dont need a justification. If you can afford it and you want it then why not?

 

[jerry]

In my experience, pipes crafted by Baki and Bekler, and maybe Tekin and IMP, as well as very fancy and interesting carvings, hold decent market value. Otherwise, it depends on many factors. Generally, I would not consider most meerschaums as investments.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

What does it matter if it retains value? If you are buying it to actually use, shouldn't matter. They are fairly common Meers so who knows if and when you sell it and in what fashion (assuming you never use it) whether you might get something close to what you paid for it . Last on the list of considerations for me, IMO. If an antique estate - again, who knows, enjoy displaying it, can't imagine wanting to sell one bought for that reason either.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Hardly any pipe actually holds its value, unless you are talking pipes in the $1000+ range, and even then they will depreciate. Pipes are a terrible investment. But, as far as meers go, once someone else has filled the pores of that thing with their nasty tobaccos, it becomes hard to sell it. I know that when I look at meers, I don't even consider used ones, because my tastes in tobacco lean towards subtle flavors. And, I don't want to run the risk of getting someone else's passion for aromatics or latakia all up in my smoke. Others might, but I would think that is a very slim market.
Most people buy them to cultivate that splotchy patina that they are known for, so a fresh pipe appeals to a wider margin.

 

[condorlover1]

Some of the very elaborate 19th century carved meerschaums go for mental money. W hen you take into account the depreciation in the value of money over time you realize that you are roughly paying the same price as was paid for that item back in 1885.