One day the pic posting thing will be second nature...Sorry for the Dups, but I think I got it now.
Show Off Your James Upshall & Tilshead Pipes
- Thread starter ssjones
- Start date
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@mgolfd, that smooth straight Dublin(ish) is a lovely pipe. Can't read the grading, but the gold JU motif suggests it is a B, a G or higher? It looks almost unsmoked - great pipe !!
Flakey she smokes a little on the hot side, but going slow sipping, it's a good smoke. Draw is extra good so the tendency is to go faster than you should. I have not seen too many Rusticated Upshalls and that's why I got this one, glad that I did.
flaky to be honest I have no idea what grade it is (but I am going to check it out tonight). When I took the pic I had just received it back after sending it out to be cleaned up and sterilized. It was a great score on ebay.
@mgolfd, the grading letter is by the side of the 'James Upshall' lettering on the side of the shank - I can see it but can't quite make it out - probably G, B or E. Any of these would be an eBay steal! It doesn't look like it needs any restoration, just a bit of internal sanitisation with pipe cleaners and alcohol.
I've added two James Upshalls since starting this thread:
A B Grade Silver Spigot. I had Floyd Norwood insert a Cumberland stem in the spigot and saved the original black stem. Despite the deep bend, this one passes a cleaner nicely.
Just a few months ago, I found this unsmoked Bark Bent Billiard. It is significantly smaller than most of my other Upshalls and as such, has become a real favorite. The rusticated finish feels great. This replaced a 4K Castello Sea Rock that was just too large, with no regrets.
A B Grade Silver Spigot. I had Floyd Norwood insert a Cumberland stem in the spigot and saved the original black stem. Despite the deep bend, this one passes a cleaner nicely.
Just a few months ago, I found this unsmoked Bark Bent Billiard. It is significantly smaller than most of my other Upshalls and as such, has become a real favorite. The rusticated finish feels great. This replaced a 4K Castello Sea Rock that was just too large, with no regrets.
That smooth Dublin by mdgolf is an S grade and an unusual color. Most S pipes have a reddish stain. That is a lovely pipe!
Thanks ssjones, it certainly seems a good eBay find.
I meant to mention that on eBay I recently won a Tilstead bent billiard PLUS another bowl, sans stem, for circa $70 in total. Neither has been smoked and both have the typical JU straight grain. I can't see any faults in either.
I have asked reborn to find me a stem that fits the latter and both will be gifted to friends who are new to the hobby.
I meant to mention that on eBay I recently won a Tilstead bent billiard PLUS another bowl, sans stem, for circa $70 in total. Neither has been smoked and both have the typical JU straight grain. I can't see any faults in either.
I have asked reborn to find me a stem that fits the latter and both will be gifted to friends who are new to the hobby.
And of course... my first post and I put it in the wrong forum!! So, here are my Upshall pics again. I purchased these new in 1979, so they are very likely from Barry Jones first year's production at Tilshead.
Wow, these are a bit large for the forum... I'll need to revisit the sizing!
Wow, these are a bit large for the forum... I'll need to revisit the sizing!
Those are great Randy. I can't say that I have ever seen an Upshall with the JU stem stamp on the side. That must be a characteristic of the early pipes. Do you recall where they were purchased?
I bought them new in 1979. It's my understanding that Barry jones left Charatan in 1978 to join Major Barnes in forming Tilshead, so these must be very close to the beginning. Sadly, there are no hallmarks on the sterling band which would make the dating a cinch. That probably means that they were originally intended for the US market, as the only US requirement is to mark them "Sterling" or Sterling Silver". The rules in many areas of Europe still require the hallmarks.
*edit* - ahh, I missed the "where"... purchased at a Tinder Box in Indiana.
*edit* - ahh, I missed the "where"... purchased at a Tinder Box in Indiana.
Sorry, I'm a little late to the party, but here are my two James Upshall pipes.
Upshall bulldog
Upshall bulldog
Here's my other Upshall P Dublin that I didn't have pics of before.... I've always liked the slender shank/stem on this one.
Upshall Dublin shapes are very attractive. That P has some excellent grain! Your stem logos on the side still fascinate me! Until now, I've never seen them in that location.
Yes, I've always been partial to Dublins, and I really like my two Upshalls. With the Upshall knowledge that Pete shared a few days ago, the logo on the left of the stem and the "dot" between the J and the U were a very early logo.. but not sure exactly when it stopped being used.