Unsmoked 19th Century Barling's Value?
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I've had a recent moment of insight pertaining to the value of things. I was watching PBS's Antique's Roadshow. I enjoy seeing 'experts' discuss historical objects d'art and collectible memorabilia.
I realized that a very good many of the submitters were ONLY really interested in the market value of their items.
A good part of my PAD is fueled by a quest for hidden value in old pipes, but, unless I intend to get into some kind of marketing or exchange mode, I'm just adding to my briar patch. I'm halfway down the rabbit hole!
I realized that a very good many of the submitters were ONLY really interested in the market value of their items.
A good part of my PAD is fueled by a quest for hidden value in old pipes, but, unless I intend to get into some kind of marketing or exchange mode, I'm just adding to my briar patch. I'm halfway down the rabbit hole!
Perhaps the most interesting thing about 19th century pipes is that the briar used could be 100-200 years old. Briar was first used in about 1850 in St. Claude. So it may be possible that the Barling in question is made from briar dating to the 18th century. as to the pipe itself, shape, condition and provenance play a part but I could see it's value placed at a couple of hundred dollars.
I contacted the seller about that pipe when he first listed it, as the 1916 date didn't jibe with his description of the pipe's construction. I'm guessing 1896 is more like it. It's a small pipe. You're correct to have suspicions about that stem. I don't think that it's original. And, it's chipped.
The bid history is fun, with two eBay noobies playing "climb the trellis" with a series of tiny advancements. They seem to be intent on getting the object of desire for the least amount possible. The result is predictable. Neither of these toddlers gets the bottle. Someone swoops in at the last second and grabs the prize.
Overall the "winner" didn't pay a heck of a lot for it, but probably the lower end if the stem is original and if it is unsmoked. If the stem is a replacement, which I'm reasonably certain it is, the genius sniper screwed himself. Seems fair either way.
So what is a cased unsmoked Barling in perfect new condition (which this pipe isn't) valued at? Whatever the market will bear, but the market will bear about $200 per inch, plus extra for the case. For the most part the really fine pieces don't show up on eBay. They get traded privately.
The bid history is fun, with two eBay noobies playing "climb the trellis" with a series of tiny advancements. They seem to be intent on getting the object of desire for the least amount possible. The result is predictable. Neither of these toddlers gets the bottle. Someone swoops in at the last second and grabs the prize.
Overall the "winner" didn't pay a heck of a lot for it, but probably the lower end if the stem is original and if it is unsmoked. If the stem is a replacement, which I'm reasonably certain it is, the genius sniper screwed himself. Seems fair either way.
So what is a cased unsmoked Barling in perfect new condition (which this pipe isn't) valued at? Whatever the market will bear, but the market will bear about $200 per inch, plus extra for the case. For the most part the really fine pieces don't show up on eBay. They get traded privately.
I was one of the idiots fighting it out in $2.50 increments - the stem is wrong and hence why I dropped out.
Sounds like this pipe had a few problems. With "historical" pipes -- more than 100 years old, let's say -- so
much depends on how a particular pipe fits in to individual collections, and the trends of the moment, I guess.
Had an Iraqui brother-in-law, twenty years before Iraq became an issue, who used to laugh and say what
Americans called antiques Iraquis called old junk. Nothing less than about a thousand years old was of any
interest to them, since the area has such ancient roots. Hmmm.
much depends on how a particular pipe fits in to individual collections, and the trends of the moment, I guess.
Had an Iraqui brother-in-law, twenty years before Iraq became an issue, who used to laugh and say what
Americans called antiques Iraquis called old junk. Nothing less than about a thousand years old was of any
interest to them, since the area has such ancient roots. Hmmm.
@Winton its like when people ask me why do stocks go up? I always answer that there are more buyers than sellers! Hence your response made me laugh as it is the sort of thing I would say off the cuff!
I guess you were probably wondering why a die hard meerschaum 'cutty' fan was interested in the pipe. Well it's briar and the perfect size and style for the type of pipe I smoke. I have been meaning to get this style replicated by one of the carvers in Turkey and I would rather send them a lump of wood to copy than one of my pipes. I was also of the opinion that the case would fit one of my homeless pipes. At worst it would have made an excellent trade item later if I could swap it for something I wanted after it had served its purpose.
While Barling is known for using old growth Algerian briar, which they harvested and cured, pipes prior to 1906 may have been made in St Claude and shipped to Barling for finishing. This bowl could be French made with finishing by Barlng.
There is some debate about using superannuated Briar. Some of the best artisans say that the quality of briar's heat transference begins to decrease after the burl has reached 65 years, and that the sweet spot is 40-65 years. Using 200 year old wood is considered to be ludicrous.
Barling held that the briar that they sourced was at it's best from between 80 and 120 years of age. Given their results, who can argue? I suspect it depends somewhat on the variety and geographical location of the source.
My philosophy on bidding on eBay is simple. Gather as much relevant info as possible in advance. Bid what I'm willing to pay. Walk away and forget about it. If it's not inconvenient, I'll wait until the last minute to put in my bid, but I never bid in the stratosphere, just what the item is worth to me. Stratospheric sniping is great for sellers and sometimes hilariously ruinous for the snipers involved.
Wanted a wooden template. I only own one briar and smoke it infrequently and only when I know a meerschaum will get damaged. As I said it was the perfect size to be cloned.
Perhaps this one was the deal of the day?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Extremely-rare-1904-EB-and-WB-Barling-silver-mounted-unmarked-estate-pipe-/181509835312?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=xIA%252BzkhNJJd6tMb51Xz2HsVb9VY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Extremely-rare-1904-EB-and-WB-Barling-silver-mounted-unmarked-estate-pipe-/181509835312?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=xIA%252BzkhNJJd6tMb51Xz2HsVb9VY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
In a sense, perhaps. The final price points out the importance of condition. From a historical standpoint it's a very interesting pipe. The Barling sterling is beautiful. The pipe overall has a very classy feel to it. But the condition is poor. The rim has been severely burned away, such that it's pretty lumpy after the buffing out and restaining. The stem, is pretty chewed up and looks like a replacement. The graining isn't pleasing and looks a bit mottled. More than likely this is a Barling mounting job rather than a Barling manufacturing job. The piece does have rather elegant proportions despite the flaws. But the flaws could be worrisome when it comes to actually using the pipe. This one has clearly seen a LOT of use and could be past it. I have a couple of old Barlings that I've smoked a couple of times, but that's it. They're too fragile for further use. From the standpoint of owning a neat looking historical piece, it's a great value. But as a pipe to be used as well as beheld, perhaps not so much.
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