Passed On A Sasieni Mayfair Estate

[voorhees]

Got the wife out of the house for a while yesterday and went to a antique shop I've had luck with before. Near the end of the store I happened upon some pipes and some stands. I was only looking for pipes and found a Sasieni Mayfair(second) and an unknown French panel briar for sale with a pipe stand/incorrect jar for $35.

I've become quite picky with buying estates, when I used to just buy whatever I found. I also had a very small budget to work with as well. The Sasieni billiard was in decent shape, smoked a bunch and lots of cake. Nomenclature was weak, very weak as I barely made it out. I would have dropped $15 or maybe $20 on it, but don't need anymore stands/jars. They would not sell the pipe alone. So, I left it behind.

Was I nuts?

 

[sablebrush52]

While I can't comment on your mental state, I would say that $35 for a Mayfair isn't out of line, especially if the pipe is in really good shape. It sounds like this wasn't the case, so I think that you did the right thing. Frankly, I like my Mayfair better than any of my 4 and 8 dots. Find one that is clean and not abused.

 

[voorhees]

Funny thing I was using my phone for quick information on the pipe while in the store and saw one of your previous posts relating to the Mayfair line. I liked the pipe, just was a bit put off by its condition and faint stampings. They were nearly gone..I know that means very little if it smokes great, but not for $35 and the fact they would not budge on selling it alone. :evil:

 

[ravkesef]

Yes, Jason, but that has nothing to do with the pipe. :rofl:

The fact is you've got a tremendous amount of experience and wisdom in these matters, and know what such things are worth to you. Sometimes you walk away from a deal if it's not right for you.

 

[wannashmooze]

You made the right choice. I just got a nice Mayfair estate for $20. It's nice, but I would have passed it for $35. I think estate seconds should not cost more than $20, especially if they need restoration/reaming etc.

 

[fnord]

Jason:
Sasieni seconds are some of the best values out there for new smokers and folks on a tight budget. I'm constantly on the lookout for them as well as Comoy's & GBD seconds. That said, a 35 buck Mayfair would have to be in exceptionally fine shape for me to slap leather and the nomenclature would have to be sharp enough to carve ice.
I'm with Wannashmooze on no more than a Jackson for an estate second - but I would go substantially higher for something extraordinary. (BTW, welcome to the forum, Wannashmooze.)
You did well to walk away, unless it's the size and shape of your dreams and needs a couple of hours of elbow grease to resurrect another dead soldier. If it's the latter you just say, "Eff it," and start emptying the piggy bank.
Fnord

 

[salewis]

I have a Sasieni Mayfair that I bought new about 25 years ago and while I have considerably better pipes the Sasieni has always been one of my five best smokers. As long as the Sasieni Mayfair could have been professionally cleaned I would pay up to $50 for another one.