Very Old Cob with Long Cane Stem

[cobguy]

My wife was out hitting some second hand shops and ran into a possible treasure.
It appears to be a VERY old (late 1880's?) MacArthur shaped bowl with a huge, 24 inch long, cane stem.
The shop is closed today but I will be there when they open tomorrow to see if it's worth grabbing!
Any info on this particular piece is welcome and appreciated:

 

[fordm60]

I have not seen anything like it. Please do share what you learn about it whether you buy it or not.

 

[cobguy]

Will do! ::

 

[mso489]

That is an interesting looking corncob pipe. It is so interesting, it makes me think it might be some sort of craft item, more for decoration than smoking, but if not, it is a real find. You'll know something if you can smoke it, and it is or isn't a serviceable smoker. Intriguing. Keep us updated, please.

 

[tuold]

This one reminds me of yours ---- >Pheonix Amercian Pipe Factory Cob
Scroll down half way.
They closed down in the 1950's, if that's who made your pipe.

 

[lonestar]

Several companies made them, including Missouri Meerschaum. *Probably* not 1800's though it could be. The style before the turn of the century was not quite the same. Best Guess is between 1910-1940's. They were smokable for sure and you usually find them smoked to hell and back. There is often an issue with the draw on these, it seems like all kind of little bugs like to get in the cane and make their nest, and there were probably a lot of draw issues when brand new too. It's hard to bend cane without it collapsing the airway a bit, and thats assuming all of the knuckles were drilled out well to begin with.

 

[cobguy]

Thanks for the info and links!
I'll know more in the morning, hopefully, and get back to this thread.
Smoke-able or not, I think it needs to be in my collection.
Here's the article that goes with the pic I posted and contains some great cob pipe history:
http://www.pijpenkabinet.nl/Artikelen/maiskolfpijp/art-E-corncob%20pipe.html

 

[newbroom]

I hope it's still there for ya.

Good that your wife spotted it. A shame she didn't 'grab' it. It must have been pricey?

 

[okiescout]

$485 list based on Tuolds article.

 

[cobguy]

It was still there ... and now it's mine! :D
One of the oldest stickers used by Missouri Meerschaum:

A monkey I found to pose with the pipe for size reference:

The freebie "mini cob" that was tossed in to sweeten the deal:

 

[cynicismandsugar]

Cob, great nab! I'll be honest, I was nervous for you. Excellent find; amazing wife -- you're living like a king, my friend!

 

[newbroom]

I'm happy for the both of you, the pipe and yourself. (and of course, you and your wife), but that pipe found its rightful owner!

 

[lifesizehobbit]

Very nice find; kudo's to your wife. Best part about pipe life, finding that piece that speaks to you and then you get it.
Enjoy!

 

[aggravatedfarmer]

Great find! Would you consider that a cavalier?

 

[cobguy]

Thanks guys ... I'm glad I grabbed it!
@Agg ... I would call this a "Mac" or "MacArthur" style with fancy reed stem.
The owner said his partner wanted to add a "1" in front of the price but that he had talked him out of it ... glad he did!

 

[aggravatedfarmer]

I'm glad he did for your sake as well! great find!

 

[fordm60]

That is rather cool cobguy!! I am glad you got it. Plus the monkey in the picture is awesome. Where did you find a smoking monkey? What do you feed it...latakia?

 

[cobguy]

Where did you find a smoking monkey? What do you feed it...latakia?

LOL ... that monkey is TOO well fed!
In fact, just moments after that photo was taken, the monkey was chowing down on some Pad Thai. :mrgreen:

 

[jvnshr]

Great find. I am happy that you grabbed that.

 

[seacaptain]

Interesting pipe, never seen anything like that before.