Seeking General Info About Gourd Calabash w/Silver Rim

[monty55]

Here are some more pics not in the posting






Ugh, sorry, that was the size photos he sent me.

 

[monty55]

I’ve purchased pipes from that seller. They are fantastic to deal with.

That is a gourd calabash with a meerschaum cup.

Thanks for the kind words about my pipes. I love them too.

Thanks for that info.
1) Do you think it's overpriced?
2) Is there a way for me to tell if the meer is in good condition? I don't want it to explode like your did.

 

[runscott]

@runscott, could you educate me on the difference between a meer-lined with a silver rim, and a silver rim and a meer insert? Other than the silver, how can I tell by a photo whether it's meer-lined, or has a meer insert?

Sure. When you look into the chamber of a meer-lined pipe, you will see an enclosed area that doesn't go to the bottom of the gourd, and it will have a small hole (airway) at the bottom. A silver rim meerschaum that requires a bowl insert will look the same, but when you look down into the chamber you'll just see the gourd walls.

From a side view they will both look the same.

 

[Searock Fan]

That silver rim is a good idea especially if you're a klutz and always dropping or bumping things. Those dents in the silver acted like bumpers on a car and saved the pipe from serious damage.

 

[Searock Fan]

BTW, working on old calabashes, I think was from 1911, can be tricky. When I started to clean this up so I could figure out the level of restoration, it literally exploded in my hands.
View attachment 155850

No big deal. Nothing that can't be fixed with the handyman's secret weapon.... duc tape.

 

[sablebrush52]

Like briar pipes, prices on Calabashes vary on who made them. William Harrison seems to have been primarily a maker of calabash pipes and prices are often way less than a BBB. Condition of the silver runs the gamut. Be patient and persistent and you will find an excellent example at a fair price.

My Barling was a bargain because it was listed as an EB WB pipe in the days before eBay beefed up its cross referencing, so I got it for about $100, barely smoked. The only other one I've seen in the 14 years since sold for close to $800.

It's a neat pipe to have, but I rarely smoke it. If I buy another Calabash it will be one with a meer top and no silver covering it. Much easier to keep clean, since you can pop out the bowl and clean out the gourd.

 

[lraisch]

Like briar pipes, prices on Calabashes vary on who made them. William Harrison seems to have been primarily a maker of calabash pipes and prices are often way less than a BBB. Condition of the silver runs the gamut. Be patient and persistent and you will find an excellent example at a fair price.

My Barling was a bargain because it was listed as an EB WB pipe in the days before eBay beefed up its cross referencing, so I got it for about $100, barely smoked. The only other one I've seen in the 14 years since sold for close to $800.

It's a neat pipe to have, but I rarely smoke it. If I buy another Calabash it will be one with a meer top and no silver covering it. Much easier to keep clean, since you can pop out the bowl and clean out the gourd.

How would you go about cleaning out the gourd?

 

[shanez]

This is the pipe in question which I looked at. Any input from anyone is very much appreciated.
RARE ANTIQUE BBB LOUIS BLUMFELD HORN STEM SILVER GOURD CALABASH ESTATE PIPE 1908 | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/124945630671

@shanez, I love your purchase! How does it smoke? Can you lend any advice now that you've had it awhile?

Here's what I can say:

My pipe is much smaller than anticipated but I'm okay with that. If the seller doesn't list dimensions then either you shouldn't care or you should ask the seller. In my case I was more concerned with aesthetics. Smaller is still good for stronger blends in my case.

I paid $120 with shipping. I might have lucked out or maybe I didn't. $350 seems a lot unless there is a collectible aspect. I do like the hallmarks on the one you posted but I think it might have been available for the same price when I bought mine. If no one else bites at that price neither would I. Maybe contact the seller and see if they're willing to come back to reality.

Sooner or later something will show up.

Hope that helps.

 

[shanez]

Be patient and persistent and you will find an excellent example at a fair price.

^^^^ This.

 

[sablebrush52]

How would you go about cleaning out the gourd?

The meer bowl is held in place by either a rubber or cork gasket. You can carefully twist out the bowl, revealing the interior of the gourd, and wipe it down. With a silver cap, that's not possible.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I'm bumping this thread because I'm presently interested in the same as the OP.
@TheIronMonkey what do you think the value of your pipe in this photo is? I'm considering one just like it, but in far worse condition. It's a BBB from 1908 with silver rim and horn stem. They want 350. and I'm thinking that's about too much, but I'm really ignorant when it comes to gourd calabashes. I've always wanted one though. Considering what I read in this thread and some of the photos, I think I'll pass on the 350 pipe and stay patient. But I've also noticed the price of pipes has increased significantly over the last 5-10 years.
But I still want to get educated on them.


@runscott, could you educate me on the difference between a meer-lined with a silver rim, and a silver rim and a meer insert? Other than the silver, how can I tell by a photo whether it's meer-lined, or has a meer insert?


@ashdigger, this is exactly what I'm afraid of! Is this meer lined, or a meer insert, or is this all meerschaum?
How can I possibly tell what condition the meer is in from a photo, and it's surrounded by a gourd?
BTW, the pipes I've seen of yours are awesome brother! Absolutely stunning!! I'm green with envy!

This is the pipe in question which I looked at. Any input from anyone is very much appreciated.
RARE ANTIQUE BBB LOUIS BLUMFELD HORN STEM SILVER GOURD CALABASH ESTATE PIPE 1908 | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/124945630671

I'm very interested in refurbishing or restoring one, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. These gourd calabashes from 1900 era are hit or miss I guess. But I'm not about to spend 350 on a pipe that will come apart like the one ashdigger had. I guess you really never know till you get into it. Perhaps this is why I've hesitated on pulling the trigger on one over the years.

@shanez, I love your purchase! How does it smoke? Can you lend any advice now that you've had it awhile?

BBB Silver Capped Gourd Calabashes will command a higher premium than lesser known brands—one recently sold for over $800 (offered by he who has very rare pipes, but, makes them look like they’re dripping wet), and two dealers accepted offers under $345.

Something is only worth what someone, anyone, is willing to pay, and with an auction, it just takes two enthusiastic bidders to drive a price beyond the norm.

I’ve been buying stuff on eBay for over twenty years. I’m a big believer in sniping (placing a last second bid)—you still need to have the highest bid to win; it won’t do anything against an automatic proxy bid, but, what this will do is prevent a live counter bid. Early bids are sitting ducks for people that nickel and dime in increments to find out the limit of the bid sitting there.

Only you can decide what it’s worth bidding. Here’s a hypothetical scenario: I’ve been collecting the work of the mystery writer, Ross Macdonald (real name, Kenneth Millar) for forty years now. Suppose there’s a later printing vintage paperback that I’ve only seen listed in a bibliography, but, have never seen a picture of this book or one in real life in all my years of collecting. It’s not a first printing, no one else really cares to look for it because it’s not a first—it’s not a desirable or collectable book to most people. It’s on the shortlist of things missing from my collection. Say it gets listed on eBay for an opening bid of $20.00. I’ve never seen a copy in all my years of collecting the work of this author, and it’s one of the last things missing from my collection. Am I going to bid $21.00 for it? No, I’m probably going to bid something outlandish like $400.00 or $500.00 for it. Is it worth that? By most standards, a hard “No!” But, maybe for me, in this context, it is a resounding “Yes!”

A metal capped Calabash looks awesome, but, there’s a big caveat. Because of the rim being affixed to the gourd, it’s going to be a bitch to clean and you won’t want to risk compromising the condition, or integrity of its construction taking it apart. It will get funky. For maintaining a clean Calabash, you’re better off getting one with a removable Meerschaum cup.

Bargains can be had. You just need patience. Decide what you can live with paying, and bid accordingly.

Anyway, hope this helps.

 

[monty55]

BBB Silver Capped Gourd Calabashes will command a higher premium than lesser known brands—one recently sold for over $800 (offered by he who has very rare pipes, but, makes them look like they’re dripping wet), and two dealers accepted offers under $345.

Something is only worth what someone, anyone, is willing to pay, and with an auction, it just takes two enthusiastic bidders to drive a price beyond the norm.

I’ve been buying stuff on eBay for over twenty years. I’m a big believer in sniping (placing a last second bid)—you still need to have the highest bid to win; it won’t do anything against an automatic proxy bid, but, what this will do is prevent a live counter bid. Early bids are sitting ducks for people that nickel and dime in increments to find out the limit of the bid sitting there.

Only you can decide what it’s worth bidding. Here’s a hypothetical scenario: I’ve been collecting the work of the mystery writer, Ross Macdonald (real name, Kenneth Millar) for forty years now. Suppose there’s a later printing vintage paperback that I’ve only seen listed in a bibliography, but, have never seen a picture of this book or one in real life in all my years of collecting. It’s not a first printing, no one else really cares to look for it because it’s not a first—it’s not a desirable or collectable book to most people. It’s on the shortlist of things missing from my collection. Say it gets listed on eBay for an opening bid of $20.00. I’ve never seen a copy in all my years of collecting the work of this author, and it’s one of the last things missing from my collection. Am I going to bid $21.00 for it? No, I’m probably going to bid something outlandish like $400.00 or $500.00 for it. Is it worth that? By most standards, a hard “No!” But, maybe for me, in this context, it is a resounding “Yes!”

A metal capped Calabash looks awesome, but, there’s a big caveat. Because of the rim being affixed to the gourd, it’s going to be a bitch to clean and you won’t want to risk compromising the condition, or integrity of its construction taking it apart. It will get funky. For maintaining a clean Calabash, you’re better off getting one with a removable Meerschaum cup.

Bargains can be had. You just need patience. Decide what you can live with paying, and bid accordingly.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Thanks for the info, idk if you looked at the sale, but it's only Buy It Now. Not an auction, and they are not accepting offers. That's why I'm trying to figure out if this pipe is worth that. But I also understand it's worth whatever anyone is willing to pay.
I've bought a lot off ebay and understand. I do snipping ... in real auctions. But this person is simply using ebay as a store front I guess. But I thank you for the input.

Sure. When you look into the chamber of a meer-lined pipe, you will see an enclosed area that doesn't go to the bottom of the gourd, and it will have a small hole (airway) at the bottom. A silver rim meerschaum that requires a bowl insert will look the same, but when you look down into the chamber you'll just see the gourd walls.

From a side view they will both look the same.

Thanks for clarifying that. This helps.

Like briar pipes, prices on Calabashes vary on who made them. William Harrison seems to have been primarily a maker of calabash pipes and prices are often way less than a BBB. Condition of the silver runs the gamut. Be patient and persistent and you will find an excellent example at a fair price.

My Barling was a bargain because it was listed as an EB WB pipe in the days before eBay beefed up its cross referencing, so I got it for about $100, barely smoked. The only other one I've seen in the 14 years since sold for close to $800.

It's a neat pipe to have, but I rarely smoke it. If I buy another Calabash it will be one with a meer top and no silver covering it. Much easier to keep clean, since you can pop out the bowl and clean out the gourd.

Jesse, that Barling Calabash is absolutely magnificent! It's a great buy with a great story. That's the kind of deal everyone dreams about. Especially when it's a maker you collect. That must be very satisfying just to own man.

I did do some research and apparently BBB was adamant about using Meerschaum block in their gourds, to set themself apart from the other makers of gourd calabashes in London during that time. Perhaps that kind of thing, attention to quality, is what helps bring a higher premium for BBB.

@shanez Thanks for sharing your thoughts on that. I agree. Since I know more now about what I'm looking for I'll be patient and keep my eyes peeled. I've got plenty of other pipes to fret over that I already own lol.

After looking at some closeups of the enterior of the bowl, I'm gonna pass. The bottom of the meerschaum liner appears to be in a few pieces and has heavy cake, which probably caused the failure.
I'll just be patient.

 

[Ahi Ka]

@monty55 just in case you hadn’t seen one before, you can also get gourd calabashes where the silver only caps the meer insert, rather than being secured to the gourd itself. This means you can still remove the cup for cleaning the interior

 

[lraisch]

The meer bowl is held in place by either a rubber or cork gasket. You can carefully twist out the bowl, revealing the interior of the gourd, and wipe it down. With a silver cap, that's not possible.

Excuse my ignorance, but I was under the impression that a Calabash was always equipped with a meerschaum bowl. Is it possible to actually smoke one with the tobacco burning in the gourd? I would think that would lead to a very quick burn out. Perhaps this is more like a corn cob? I am mostly familiar with the old Pioneer calabash which always had a meerschaum cup, secured by a cork ring.

 

[shanez]

Excuse my ignorance, but I was under the impression that a Calabash was always equipped with a meerschaum bowl. Is it possible to actually smoke one with the tobacco burning in the gourd? I would think that would lead to a very quick burn out. Perhaps this is more like a corn cob? I am mostly familiar with the old Pioneer calabash which always had a meerschaum cup, secured by a cork ring.

Technically calabash refers to shape but a meerschaum insert in a gourd seems to be the classic form most people think of.

 

[sablebrush52]

Excuse my ignorance, but I was under the impression that a Calabash was always equipped with a meerschaum bowl. Is it possible to actually smoke one with the tobacco burning in the gourd? I would think that would lead to a very quick burn out. Perhaps this is more like a corn cob? I am mostly familiar with the old Pioneer calabash which always had a meerschaum cup, secured by a cork ring.

I suppose that it's possible, though I wouldn't know a rational reason to do it as it would certainly destroy the gourd.

I'm referring to the type of construction of a calabash. They all feature a meerschaum bowl that has been inserted into the wide end of the gourd, but differ in that some calabashes have a meerschaum bowl inserted inside the wide end, which is then held in place by a silver cap. The cap is nailed into the end of the gourd, which means that the meerschaum bowl is permanently seated, unless the cap is removed by removing the nails. Not exactly an easy thing to do. This also renders the interior of the gourd nearly unreachable if one wants to clean it.

The other type of construction has the meerschaum bowl capping the gourd and it is held in place with a rubber or cork gasket and it usually spills over and beyond the rim of the gourd. Since there is no cap covering the meerschaum bowl, it can be removed, making it much easier to clean the interior of the gourd..

 

[Chasing Embers]

Technically calabash refers to shape

A calabash is traditionally the type of gourd used.

 

[shanez]

A calabash is traditionally the type of gourd used.

That's how all of my old pipe books describe them but most modern manufacturers use it simply as shape. It would be very interesting to find out when/why (or if really) the description changed. Traditional vs technical?And then there's also the whole reverse calabash thing.

 

[lraisch]

That's how all of my old pipe books describe them but most modern manufacturers use it simply as shape. It would be very interesting to find out when/why (or if really) the description changed. Traditional vs technical?And then there's also the whole reverse calabash thing.

It does seem that the name has been co-opted to describe the shape of a pipe, regardless of the material used. In the same manner, I see pipes described as a Cherrywood, just because of their shape (similar to a Poker) even though they are made of briar.

 

[sablebrush52]

It would be very interesting to find out when/why (or if really) the description changed. Traditional vs technical?

If there was a distinction it must have changed pretty early since I own a Barling gourd calabash and a Barling briar calabash shape, both from 1908.