What is the earliest Well pipe?

[xrundog]

You've probably seen this discussion before. But I've never seen a definitive answer to the question. Peterson patented the system pipe in 1890 or so. I think the form existed before then but I'm having a hard time proving it. As I find old photos and ads of well pipes I'll post them here. You do the same.
Some links in this thread: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/please-help-indentify-this-pipe
Here's a 1909 well pipe.

Here's a link to the super size:
http://www.shorpy.com/node/13921?size=_original#caption

 

[disinformatique]

Can't see the image brother.

Edit: Never mind, clicked on the super sized one. That sure looks like a Wellington.

 

[xrundog]

This looks promising. I see a clay, what is probably a meerschaum, an army mount and a well pipe. No date though. Could be anywhere from the 1890s to the 19teens.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/95744554@N00/7966912300/in/pool-vintage_photos_of_men_smoking_pipes/

 

[davet]

Here's an ad from 1916, not as early as you're looking for but interesting.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1916-Wellington-French-Briar-Pipe-William-Demuth-New-York-Smoking-Print-Ad-/400969084831?hash=item5d5b9eaf9f

 

[xrundog]

Yep, I've seen that one. The earliest Wellington ad I've seen was in a 1915 magazine. But there aren't a lot of magazine ads for pipes in that era. WDC represents the vast majority of them. I'm wondering if most pipe advertising wasn't done at the point of sale. Wall boards, counter displays and such.

 

[clickklick]

This might be as impossible as the "find a dunhill in a drugstore picture" challenge.

 

[smoothsailing]

http://tobaccopipeartistory.blogspot.com/2014/12/william-demuth-company-wdc-catalog-new.html?m=1
This was interesting.

 

[xrundog]

Yeah, that's a nice catalog. I figure it's early 1890s based on the cover reference to the expositions. No Wellingtons or other well pipes in there though.