Massive mail call from the brothers @Birddog66 and @simong . Impossible to put into words, especially as the detail and significance of the items contained therein would frankly require a book to properly document.
I'm floored. I'll be months picking through the many contents of the box these gentlemen sent, pondering and documenting details. Just the tip of the iceberg, as there is so much information here:
The first was one of many unexpected surprises from @Birddog66 . This pipe is superb---an enormous Charatan-made Ben Wade Hand Model with gorgeous 360° straight grain. It's just an enormous (the photo doesn't do it justice--should have added something for scale), regal pipe and a classic example of Charatan's best-foot-forward with the Ben Wade brand. Top class all the way.
The second, a real rarity. It's an unsmoked Leeds era Ben Wade, complete with box and pamphlet insert from @simong . There's a wealth of historical detail on this pipe in terms of stamps and so forth that I won't go into on the forum, but let me just say that this pipe, in its condition and stored protected from sunlight, is the best example I've seen of what Ben Wade (Leeds) intended for this lovely Walnut finish, which was one of its best sellers. Again, conserved in just superb condition.
Words fail me. I'm going to go stare at them some more! Thanks again my friends!
I'm floored. I'll be months picking through the many contents of the box these gentlemen sent, pondering and documenting details. Just the tip of the iceberg, as there is so much information here:
The first was one of many unexpected surprises from @Birddog66 . This pipe is superb---an enormous Charatan-made Ben Wade Hand Model with gorgeous 360° straight grain. It's just an enormous (the photo doesn't do it justice--should have added something for scale), regal pipe and a classic example of Charatan's best-foot-forward with the Ben Wade brand. Top class all the way.
The second, a real rarity. It's an unsmoked Leeds era Ben Wade, complete with box and pamphlet insert from @simong . There's a wealth of historical detail on this pipe in terms of stamps and so forth that I won't go into on the forum, but let me just say that this pipe, in its condition and stored protected from sunlight, is the best example I've seen of what Ben Wade (Leeds) intended for this lovely Walnut finish, which was one of its best sellers. Again, conserved in just superb condition.
Words fail me. I'm going to go stare at them some more! Thanks again my friends!
