Value of a Dunhill Root Briar bought in 67.

[andypandy]

Hi, there may not be any hard and fast rules regarding the this, but are anyone of you knowledgeable enough to guesstimate the value of an estate Dunhill Root Briar bought in 1967 in fairly good shape?
Pictures:

 

[flakyjakey]

Not sure that's what we do here, but it would need good quality photos and a 'date of birth', at the least.

 

[fishnbanjo]

Photos would help for sure but there is one available which I would call fairly good shape and could be restored easily enough with some judicious use of a wet face cloth and steam iron.
$250 for a Dunhill Root Billiard
http://www.uptowns.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_134&products_id=2383

 

[andypandy]

Here are some larger photos and thank you all for your help.

 

[mso489]

I'm not knowledgeable. You can learn a little on Ebay, but a more reliable source would be watching estate pipe

listings at smokingpipes.com. Their estate pipes have been throughly reconditioned and are quite carefully

described as to condition, so you might find a close match over time, or at least some clues. You might phone

one of the long-standing pipe shops to see if they could help you, or recommend an appraiser (but we're getting

into money there probably). Nat Sherman in NYC or Iwan Ries in Chicago come to mind as sources of expertise

on Dunhills. Dunhills are the most established pipes for re-selling in terms of date of manufacture and price, so

over time you ought to be able to come up with a believable "set point" give or take $25 or so.

 

[chispa]

I'd guess that if it cleans up well it would not be less than $100. Probably closer to $200 with the box and considering the stem appears to be excellent condition.
--I'm no expert though...

 

[flakyjakey]

What about date stamps? If the box is original (appt to HM King...) it could be 1950's and worth more than estimates so far.

 

[andypandy]

I only have the pictures I posted(and reposted larger) so it's rather hard to make out a date... If the price doesn't skyrocket in the last minute it may be worthwhile to buy it based on your feedback and a little look at smokingpipes' estate section.

 

[sablebrush52]

Just keep in mind that that pipe hasn't been kept clean and could need a bit of TLC not to be a stinker. One thing about on line auctions is that you can't tell if the item stinks, at least until it arrives at your doorstep, redolent with history.

 

[fishnbanjo]

I would keep my bid under $250 the pipe may go for more than that but it will need some attention on the top although I think it will clean up nicely, good luck.

 

[flakyjakey]

If it were me, I'd go up to $200. I got a very similar Root (similar box) for that price - and it turned out to be a 1953 "Birth Date" pipe for me!! Cleaned up, it smokes beautifully.

 

[jkenp]

I think Banjo nailed retail value pretty close. The top does look like gunk more than damage. I would guess the seller isn't a sophisticated seller that preps pipes well. The year would certainly help your decision.