Randomly Acquired 39 Vintage Pipes. Need Help Where to Start

[SamNicklez]

Hello Pipesmagazine community,
My name is Sam and it's safe to say I'm new to the pipe community. This thread might be a little unusual due to the fact that I don't smoke but came into contact with 39 vintage pipes in the attic of my house that were left from the previous owners. I have no idea how to identify the pipes and their value so that's where I'm asking you all for help. From what I've gathered these pipes are CAO Meerschaum pipes of various designs made somewhere around the '80s. There are no signature carvings on any of the pipes but on the outside of the case, there is a stickered serial number that I believe identifies the style of the portrait that is used to carve the pipes end. Photos of some of the pipes will be attached below. I would love to know if possible who made them, when they were made, if theres a website or anywhere that can get me the official name of each pipe, and if they're worth anything. I will most likely be selling these pipes regardless I would like to make sure someone can get them for a decent price. If asked I can definitely take more photos as there are many different designs .

 

[UncleRasta]

Nice collection. I. can't help you but am interested in seeing the responses from the considerable expertise on this forum.

 

[weezell]

Nice! Are they all not smoked?...

 

[SamNicklez]

Nice! Are they all not smoked?...

Yeah all never used

 

[jerry]

That is an amazing occurrence (on so many levels - this is, March Meerschaum Madness, after all). Of course, it would have been even more so if you were a pipe smoker! ?

 

[geopiper]

Too good to be true?

 

[warren]

Looks like inventory from a defunct store or, the take from a burglar who didn't know from crap. It could be something acquired from a police auction even. From the photos they mostly appear to be inexpensive, not particularly detailed carvings from a reputable manufacturer. CAO pipes usually were made from decent mineral. They generally smoke well and were, for many stores, the only brand of meerschaum pipe carried. Probably worth a few more bucks than the retail tags on the pipes. Certainly a good pipe for someone looking for their first meer.

If you paid little or nothing for the collection I'd suggest contacting a retailer to see what would be offered for the lot.

 

[verporchting]

Pipestud. Nuff said.

 

[anotherbob]

39 pipes if you sell them for 25 each you'd make about 975. Not too bad.

 

[OzPiper]

Looks like unsold stock from a retailer or salesperson. You should find willing buyers for $40-50 each, I would imagine.
Or as @verporchting suggested, sell them through Pipestud, who is a genuine bloke.

 

[OzPiper]

I should add that if you wish to get a realistic idea of their worth go to eBay "advanced search" and put in " meerschaum pipes unsmoked". You can see the prices fetched in recent months.
Of course pipes signed by a recognised carver will fetch considerable more, as will vintage Austrian meers.

 

[cshubhra]

Welcome ?
CAO Meerschaum have some value - I have seen them go between 50-125 $ in eBay.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Smokingpipes.com might even purchase them off you.

 

[brian64]

Wow...very cool. When I read the title of this thread I expected it to be a batch of estate pipes someone either purchased or inherited. I certainly didn't expect to see 39 unsmoked meers that were just left in an attic! I think it's safe to say that's a very unusual occurrence.

If they are really all new and undamaged, they certainly have value. As others said, do some searching on ebay.

Do you know anything about the previous owners? Very strange for anyone to leave a bunch of brand new meers in an attic.

 

[Servant King]

Pipestud. Nuff said.

^^^^^ This. Steve will be all over this like crabs on a $5 whore white on rice.

 

[Zack Miller]

The picture with the stickers would indicate it was supposed to retail for $85.00. I would consider that the standard asking price at the time. Then adjust for inflation.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I got a vintage radio recently from someone who said it was left in a closet by the previous owner. Funny how good stuff gets left behind.

Given my history, this would be like finding a pre war Martin D-45 left behind the bed room door.

 

[STP]

Nice collection, and good info above...You could also post them for sale on this site once you figure out pricing.

 

[BROBS]

Cheap import meers— 30-40 a piece

 

[BROBS]

Figural meer heads of Arabian sheiks and similar sell like hot coals in the Mojave.

this looks like unsold stock from a failed store. Probably the only pipes the guy couldn’t pawn off somewhere else.