Seeking Information on Astleys

[huntertrw]

Recently I purchased from Pipestud's eBay store the Astleys billiard briar pipe shown in the image below. I know that Astleys did not manufacture pipes; Pipestud posited that this one might have been produced for them by Savinelli.
What I would like to know is over what period of time did Astleys operate, and was their shop at 109 Jermyn Street in London their only location? Any background information which you may provide about this venerable old tobacconist would be appreciated!

 

[ssjones]

There is surprisingly little on the web about Astley's. I've only heard of UK manufacturers making Astley's pipes, never Savinelli (James Upshall, Dunhill, Bill Taylor, etc.)

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Every time we have someone from pipe manufacturing come talk to our pipe club, they always suggest :::wink wink::: that Savinelli produces most of the Dunhills, and that there is no way that with as strict a guidelines as they have on no fills on their machine-made pipes, that the little ol' plant in England could possibly meet worldwide demand for the Dunnies.

It is quite possible that Savinelli made the Astleys. However, as a company it is still functioning as they sell some of the best Virginia blends. Whether there is still a pipe shop at 109, I have no idea.

 

[papipeguy]

I just noticed an Astley for sale in the estate pipe section on Pipe & Cigars site.

 

[mrenglish]

I am pretty sure their shop has closed down. I was also under the impression that it was English pipe makers who made their pipes like ssjones mentioned. Not much help, I'm afraid.

 

[papipeguy]

http://www.pipesandcigars.com/pipes/77814/astleys-dublin/#p-143433

 

[jarit]

I'm not sure if I should bring up this rather unsavory business again, but I think it's best to post a reminder.There seems to be compelling evidence that some Astley's pipes can have a fairly obscure pedigree. It looks as if the current holder of the Astley's trademark is doing his best to dilute its value.
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/astley-pipes-re-stamped-estate-pipes-photos
I should add that I'm not saying that OPs Astley's is necessarily one of these reworked pipes, or that pipestud would be any part of this unpleasantness.

 

[neverbend]

Hi Hunter,
Astley’s had only, that I’m aware of, one store on Jermyn Street. It was a very small store (3 customers would have been a crowd). Paul said that the store had been in his family a long time but it’s professed origin date of 1862 may be suspect.
Paul Bentley owned and ran the Astley’s store, perhaps until it closed somewhere about 10 years ago. Paul liked to select his high end pipes. His less expensive lines were more of a standard private label situation.
As mentioned, Astley’s made no pipes. From the late 1970s through about 1990, James Upshall was his main supplier for high end pipes and later (I believe) it was Ashton. He may have purchased pipes from Parker/Hardcastle but I don’t believe that he purchased with any regularity Dunhill first quality pipes if at all.
Astley did buy Charatan private labels and I believe that’s what your pipe is. I’m unaware of Savinelli having made any pipes for Astley’s.

 

[ianscottmoyes]

Can anyone tell me when Astley's moved from Jermyn Street please?

 

[jensen]

I was in London in the first week of january 1997.The shop had moved to the Arcade at that time.I was in there.

Thats all I know.

 

[ssjones]

See this thread, page 2, Jon Guss added the following comment:

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/astley-pipes-re-stamped-estate-pipes-photos/page/2

The shop moved to the Piccadilly Arcade in the summer of 1994.