Vintage Dunhill Set of Six Pipes. Help!

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dunnyboy

Lifer
Jul 6, 2018
2,590
32,346
New York
Dunhill did issue sets of pipes, including seven day sets that would allow the smoker to use a fresh pipe each day of the week. Two and four pipe sets were common also. I would think a six pipe set would be less common (unless given to a smoker who observed the sabbath!). I have no idea what this set was created for. In any case, sets are more valuable than the sum of their parts. These are all excellent pipes in a representative variety of shapes and appear to be in good condition, although it's hard to assess. Keeping them closed in the case will protect the stems from oxidizing.
 

dunnyboy

Lifer
Jul 6, 2018
2,590
32,346
New York
Good suggestions from @cigrmasterif you never intend to take up pipe smoking. I would also consider selling them to smokingpipes.com. You will get a fair price and can get credit you can use to buy less expensive but equally pretty and smokable pipes as well as tobacco and accessories.

But If you think you're going to take up pipe smoking seriously, keep the set. You'll enjoy having and smoking those special pipes and they will be impossible to replace at anything close to the price. How many people are fortunate enough to start driving with a fleet of vintage Land Rovers? Personally, I would keep the set and enjoy them.
 
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JSPiper71

Part of the Furniture Now
Jan 3, 2022
675
9,998
Toronto Canada
He he. Thanks so much for replies. Makes me happy. Well, I paid 100$ on an auction in Oslo today. I was surprised about the low price. And I am really glad I got these :) I will later post more photos and numbers. But still, happy for all kinds of info. And yes, I dont deserve these, and my wife does not understand why I bought them.
I’ll give you $110 for them and even pay for shipping because I’m such a nice guy.
 
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Alejo R.

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 13, 2020
995
2,135
49
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Thanks :)
Promise to post more photos. But for now, the text, starting from upper left:

4110 DUNHILL BRUYERE, MADE IN ENGLAND 16
042 8 DUNHILL BRUYERE, MADE IN ENGLAND 16
415 DUNHILL BRUYERE, MADE IN ENGLAND 16

42041 DUNHILL ROOT BRIAR, MADE IN ENGLAND 20 (UNDERSCORE)
3109 DUNHILL ROOT BRIAR, MADE IN ENGLAND 20 (OR 26) doublestampet.. underscore.
0467 DUNHILL ROOT BRIAR, MADE IN ENGLAND 16
I'd say you've earned yourself a nice vacation. As someone said before, don't take the set apart. Being you in Europe, you don't even need to sell them and send them by mail. I know several who, without problems, would travel a few hours by train to get their hands on those pipes. Congratulations.
 

Alejo R.

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 13, 2020
995
2,135
49
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
From a nonsmoking newbie:

I found this set of 6 vintage Dunhill pipes on a fleemarket. I know absolutely nothing about smoking, apart from my father and grandfathers knew how to enjoy tobacco.

I bought this because of the stunning look and feel on these objects, and the box itself. And I got curious.

So: Could someone share some information about this set? What is this? How old is it?

And: what should I do with it? Maintenance? And I guess I should start smoking?

View attachment 141803
I will give my opinion. I continue to support those who say don't disarm the group. But I don't think it's a Set. Dunhill sets have a branded leather case and accommodate the pipes with Ad-hoc spaces for each pipe. So there are sets of 2 and 7 pipes. 6 is a strange number for a set. I think it is a display case for tobacco shops. Speaking of pipes, the lighter ones, Root Briar, are more valuable than the dark one, Bruyere.
 

guylesss

Can't Leave
May 13, 2020
323
1,158
Brooklyn, NY
As others here have said, you've done extraordinarily well. And definitely got the attention of more than a few of us.

"Sets" of cased pipes has long been a quintessentially English thing, and early in their history, Dunhill in particular took the idea to the limit. Not only did they offer their most discerning and free spending customers a succession of pipes in different shapes---in contrasting or matching finishes--but sometimes even claimed they'd all been carved from a single block of briar. Accordingly, when an original set remains intact, complete with case, and in overall good condition, it can very strongly appeal to collectors.

With Dunhills the nomenclature (ie the blind stamped information on each pipe) tells the critical part of the story. At first glance yours looks generally "right" (and composed of pipes probably made about the same year), but it almost certainly dates from well after the second world war (which is to say, after the period that company's most sought after, and for some, most beautiful pipes were made). Nonetheless, an absolutely amazing find! And indeed the sort of find that made the television program Antiques Road Show so popular. Exactly what I and other Dunhill fans dream of. Bravo!
 

guylesss

Can't Leave
May 13, 2020
323
1,158
Brooklyn, NY
I will give my opinion. I continue to support those who say don't disarm the group. But I don't think it's a Set. Dunhill sets have a branded leather case and accommodate the pipes with Ad-hoc spaces for each pipe. So there are sets of 2 and 7 pipes. 6 is a strange number for a set. I think it is a display case for tobacco shops. Speaking of pipes, the lighter ones, Root Briar, are more valuable than the dark one, Bruyere.
An appealing theory to be sure--and I am the first to admit that I have a very inexact idea what sort of cases Dunhill sold sets in after they discontinued making their famous Ventage in which each pipe was meticulously fitted. What is clear from the 1951 catalogue is that six pipe sets were an option even if traditionally the usual number was 1,2,3,4, and 7. (see text below--pages from 1939 and then 1951 cats)1939 Dunhill sets.JPGDecember 1951.png
 
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Alejo R.

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 13, 2020
995
2,135
49
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
An appealing theory to be sure--and I am the first to admit that I have a very inexact idea what sort of cases Dunhill sold sets in after they discontinued making their famous Ventage in which each pipe was meticulously fitted. What is clear from the 1951 catalogue is that six pipe sets were an option even if traditionally the usual number was 1,2,3,4, and 7. (see text below--pages from 1939 and then 1951 cats)View attachment 142436View attachment 142437
Ok. iDK that.

Another thing. I have seen some Dunhill 7 day sets in person and always all the pipes were from the same line, all Root, all Bruyere or all Shell. Are there mixed sets?
 

jguss

Lifer
Jul 7, 2013
2,686
7,394
I’m with Alejo on this one. Pipes sold in cased sets were generally fitted to the case; the spaces in display cases on the other hand were usually more generic so as to accommodate a revolving inventory of different shapes. Or least that’s my experience.
 

guylesss

Can't Leave
May 13, 2020
323
1,158
Brooklyn, NY

Alejo R.

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 13, 2020
995
2,135
49
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I dont know.


Dunhill Pipe Display Case | #253210976 (worthpoint.com)

DUNHILL Pipe Shop Display Case | #15556360 (worthpoint.com)

Anyway, it is one of these finds that remain in the memory and at a ridiculous price.
Congratulations

My brother has a catering company. Once someone called him to find out if he was interested in buying some kitchen utensils from a store that was closed from the retirement of its owners until their death. The family was emptying the building. The store, in addition to being a bazaar, was a toy store with which he found 2 complete collections, new in their box, of highly sought-after and appreciated scale model cars here in Argentina. Although a collection was given to a friend, he sold his and I think he multiplied the money by 10 in a matter of hours.
 
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