Surprised At Historical Cost For New Pipes From Famous Makers

[geopiper]

I've read several articles and stories lately about how much the cost of a new pipe from the likes of Sixten, Lars, Chonowitsch, S Bang, and other famous makers was decades ago. I was surprised that even then, some were sold for many hundreds or thousands of dollars. That seems crazy to me that some pipes were selling for over $1,000 in the 1960's and 1970's.

Was this normal or atypical?
Have pipe prices risen with inflation since then (doesn't seem so for the most part)?

 

[Tommy Boy]

I've read several articles and stories lately about how much the cost of a new pipe from the likes of Sixten, Lars, Chonowitsch, S Bang, and other famous makers was decades ago. I was surprised that even then, some were sold for many hundreds or thousands of dollars. That seems crazy to me that some pipes were selling for over $1,000 in the 1960's and 1970's.

Was this normal or atypical?
Have pipe prices risen with inflation since then (doesn't seem so for the most part)?

Could buy a nice house for $12,000 (60's) $20,000 (70's) back then so thats saying something.

 

[craiginthecorn]

New Lars Ivarsson ($22,420 excl VAT) : Lars Ivarsson 3613 Long Ball oF Estervals Pipe House - https://www.tecon-gmbh.de/product_info.php?currency=USD&products_id=12523

New smooth Jess Chonowitsch ($9,440 excl VAT): Jess Chonowitsch smooth Brandy oF Estervals Pipe House - https://www.tecon-gmbh.de/product_info.php?products_id=12533

Yes, the Ivarsson is carrying a premium due to Lars' passing, but it would have definitely been priced at least as high as the Chonowitsch.

In 1968 dollars, that's $3042 and $1280, respectively, assuming that a dollar in 1968 is worth $7.37 today.