I had been watching this auction to see what this pipe would close at. It's the most I've ever seen paid for a Corporate Era Barling. Maybe this represents a new market level for pipes from this era. It's a beauty to be sure, but not exactly what the advertising copy says.
Not exactly as described
The copy states that this pipe is one that was made while the Barling Family still operated the business that they had sold to Finlay, but the stamping tells another story. The pipe is stamped "Barling" in cursive lettering, which came into use months after the family was pushed out. It is not, as suggested, a straightgrain presentation grade from the 1962 150th Anniversary Catalog. Those pipes still retained the "Barling's Make" logo. Maybe the bidders knew that it wasn't one of those very rare Family Era Presentation Straightgrains and thought the pipe was worth the price for what it was. But if they were going on the description, they didn't get what they thought they were getting.
Imperial created a Presentation grade of pipes in the 1970's, after the Barling factories had been closed and this is one of those. They're beautiful pipes. I have one and it's a great smoker.
Not exactly as described
The copy states that this pipe is one that was made while the Barling Family still operated the business that they had sold to Finlay, but the stamping tells another story. The pipe is stamped "Barling" in cursive lettering, which came into use months after the family was pushed out. It is not, as suggested, a straightgrain presentation grade from the 1962 150th Anniversary Catalog. Those pipes still retained the "Barling's Make" logo. Maybe the bidders knew that it wasn't one of those very rare Family Era Presentation Straightgrains and thought the pipe was worth the price for what it was. But if they were going on the description, they didn't get what they thought they were getting.
Imperial created a Presentation grade of pipes in the 1970's, after the Barling factories had been closed and this is one of those. They're beautiful pipes. I have one and it's a great smoker.