Pipe Question about The Dorset Knotty Selected Bruyere

[finnian3]

Can anyone help me get more information on the Dorset Knotty Selected Bruyere pipes?

I have hit all the usually sources and can't find any info.

 

[dmcmtk]

They look like some very nice, OLD Kaywoodie's to me! See if you can find anything about them here,
http://kaywoodie.myfreeforum.org/forum8.php
The is a listing for the Dorset, without any images here,
http://kaywoodie.myfreeforum.org/about98.html&highlight=dorset+knotty
Where are the Kaywoodie guys?! They look like some very special old pipes, I'm going to say 1920's!

 

[didimauw]

I've never heard of them, so I know nothing. But now after seeing some of them, I would certainly like to!

 

[piffyr]

Cool pipes, finn, and they look to be in very good condition as well! I've never seen a Dorset before, but it's pretty obvious that it's a KB&B product. So, pre-'55 at least. Do they have push stems or screw-ins? I'd love to see some more shape numbers matched with profile pics of the pipes.

 

[ssjones]

I've never seen that brand before, but it sure looks like it has Kaywoodie DNA.
This old ebay ad declares "rare old Kaywoodie": http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kb-dorset-knotty-rusticated-billard-1816928405
There is a listing here for Dorset, but it lacks pictures.

http://kaywoodie.myfreeforum.org/ftopic98-0-asc-30.php

 

[ssjones]

"Who Made that Pipe" says:

Comoy's/Kaywoodie/Willmer & ENGL/USA

 

[dmcmtk]

And another Worthpoint link. Ebay seller is Doug Valitchka and he knows quite a bit about these early pipes. He's also a member at the Kaywoodie forum, he's the person I'd ask for more info, not to mention I bet he'd love to see these pipes!
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/pre-kaywoodie-pre-1922-premier-dorset-1826526232

Offering a very rare and early PREMIER Dorset brand pipe, from the PREMIER BRIAR PIPE COMPANY, made before 1922. The Premier company was purchased by Reiss Brothers of Chicago in 1922, and became the Reiss-Premier Pipe Company. In 1926 they in turn purchased Kaufman Brothers & Bondy (KBB or KB&B) who were the makers of Kaywoodie Pipes. It was actually the Reiss-Premier company who invented the Drinkless Stinger, and I've included a photo of an early ad for the DRINKLESS PIPES showing their logo at the bottom.

This pipe was made by Premier and is a DORSET model, and is earlier than the 1922 merger, though how much I don't know. The pipe has many Kaywoodie features, including a Clover inlay known to KB&B logo, but this clover is a clear with gold sparkes in it, and is very rare. It's also got the first version of the Drinkless fitment, or Stinger, and these are thick with a large 4-hole end, and go in a standard mount stem. The bowl has a sandblast finish which brought out some craggy ring-grain and has lots of character. The bowl top is darkened and is a little worn and rounded, but looks pretty good still. The stem is obviously original and is in nice shape. I really like the gold foil clover inlay, have only one pipe in my collection with same, and I'm glad to have it! This is a very early and rare pipe which would be a great addition to a Kaywoodie collection!

 

[ssjones]

Nice find Dave. Doug V might be the only source of more info. The brand is curiously absent from the Kaywoodie forum, which goes to show you how rare they are.

 

[dmcmtk]

A little more from Doug after I sent him a link to this thread,

Hey David,

Never heard of these, but they have the Clover with the foil backing on it. There's an early pipe with same silver clover I think called a Silverleaf, and this one looks like those.

This style of the Clover Leaf logo wasn't even anything I'd heard of before!

 

[finnian3]

Sorry about the double post (I forgot to check the thread). I am trying to value these pipes for a friend's widow. I know they are rare, but rare does not always translate to anything of value. I have tried contacting some of the Kaywoodie collectors but to no avail.

 

[snagstangl]

Are you trying to value these as part of an estate or to insure or sell? I think at least $50 per pipe would be in the ballpark.

 

[buroak]

Snagstangl's valuation looks pretty accurate. I have seen this line of pipes before. They are uncommon, but apparently not highly sought after pipes. That said, there are a couple I would not mind seeing in my pipe rack.
By the way, they should have the Drinkless stinger in the stem. Without that "fitment" value goes down quite a bit.

 

[finnian3]

These pipe do indeed have the stingers. I bought the whole group. They are just great looking briars. I know Dunhill isn't the greatest pipe in the world, but the briar in this set is equal to any shell briar from Dunhill.
I am no Kaywoodie guy so I plan on selling this collection. I might take a loss, but the idea of some Kaywoodie collector adding these to their collection, that will help compensate for the loss.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Finn, once you reach the magic 100 posts mark you will be able to offer them on the forum via the pipes for sale thread.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[finnian3]

I posted an inquiry with the Kaywoodie forum but have yet to receive a response. There is a wealth of Kaywoodie info on the net, but this particular line, not so much. I found info on the Silver Leaf line, but this set has almost a gold like stamping. I would love to get the back story on this line. When were they made? What was the intent behind the brand etc.

I kid you knott these pipes are incredible. They could easily pass for a higher grade pipe maker's pipe. Oh well. the quest continues.

 

[ssjones]

Tony Soderman (aka Mr. Can) would have been the resource, alas he's left us. I don't know who fills his shows, particularly if the Kaywoodie forum can't help.

 

[finnian3]

Pipe lore.... As those who know the history of certain brands pass away, the gaps in our knowledge grows.