When Did Acrylic Stems Come Into Use?
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This is the one that we would see in pipes. So, after 1933.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly%28methyl_methacrylate%29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarbonate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly%28methyl_methacrylate%29
This is also just interesting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarbonate
I know these aren't much help specifically, but it's good context.
My experience is that Bakelite was the alternate material of choice to rubber into the 50s. The acrylic stem pipes I've had have all been from beyond that. Like 60s-70s.
Knowing when GBD started using Perspex stems would probably give a good ballpark date.
Knowing when GBD started using Perspex stems would probably give a good ballpark date.
I don't know the answer either, but it would be very interesting to know.
Without wishing to divert from the topic, a connected question for me is about attitudes to the different stem materials over time. In particular I have often seen older articles about pipes which say acrylic is most commonly used for stems on high-end artisan pipes. That doesn't seem to be the case today - many high-end pipemakers will use both acrylic and ebonite, but mostly ebonite. Was there indeed a period when acrylic was viewed as the expected stem material for high-end pipes?
Without wishing to divert from the topic, a connected question for me is about attitudes to the different stem materials over time. In particular I have often seen older articles about pipes which say acrylic is most commonly used for stems on high-end artisan pipes. That doesn't seem to be the case today - many high-end pipemakers will use both acrylic and ebonite, but mostly ebonite. Was there indeed a period when acrylic was viewed as the expected stem material for high-end pipes?
That's a good question moriarty. I have read more than a few comments by artisan pipe makers and their preference for acrylic - that goes back a few years though. This blog on the Larrysson Pipes site is informative on the matter - http://larryssonpipes.com/blog/?p=113
I think it changes like the wind as does pipe buyers tastes in what they want on the pipe. For me, I love acrylic for the way they hold up and do not oxidize, but much prefer the feel of a vulcanite / ebonite stem.
I think it changes like the wind as does pipe buyers tastes in what they want on the pipe. For me, I love acrylic for the way they hold up and do not oxidize, but much prefer the feel of a vulcanite / ebonite stem.
On the GBD, there really is no way to date those pipes, other than silver hallmarked pipes or made before/after 1981-ish (Cadogan took over production). GBD definitely used Perspex into the 70's. I chatted with some old pipemen at Richmond last year who were GBD and Perspex aficianados. They showed me pipes they purchased new from Smokers Haven in the mid 70's.
I always ask why and not when. Why don't more pipes com with briar stems? I think the plastic stems are the least good looking part of a pipe. I mean I have this wonderful briar pipe with an ugly piece plastic sticking out of it.
Here is an interesting GBD Perspex factoid from Greg Pease's site:
"A note about Perspex stems: Perspex was originally patented in Canada in 1934. It didn't take long for GBD to begin using it as a stem material; the earliest example I've been able to date has a 1937 hallmark."
http://www.glpease.com/Pipes/Collection/gbd.html
This is much earlier than I had expected.
"A note about Perspex stems: Perspex was originally patented in Canada in 1934. It didn't take long for GBD to begin using it as a stem material; the earliest example I've been able to date has a 1937 hallmark."
http://www.glpease.com/Pipes/Collection/gbd.html
This is much earlier than I had expected.
1937! Wow.
I can't find the references right now, but at some point in the 70s or so, acrylic was regarded as a more expensive and higher-grade stem. Clearly that's changed with so many makers, especially the Danes, preferring to use high-quality ebonite, but at one point acrylic was indeed regarded as a mark of quality. At the same time, there wasn't the same preference for super-thin, super comfortable stems back then. That's harder to do with acrylic.
I can't find the references right now, but at some point in the 70s or so, acrylic was regarded as a more expensive and higher-grade stem. Clearly that's changed with so many makers, especially the Danes, preferring to use high-quality ebonite, but at one point acrylic was indeed regarded as a mark of quality. At the same time, there wasn't the same preference for super-thin, super comfortable stems back then. That's harder to do with acrylic.
1937 is very interesting. A hallmarked, Perspex-stemmed pipe is quite unusual.
From Chris' Pipe pages, here is a page from a 1941 Geo Yale catalog.
This page shows a pipe with a transluscent stem.
The GBD page shows one with what is described as an "Amber" stem. The example is French made but interestingly, does not yet use the Perspex name.
From Chris' Pipe pages, here is a page from a 1941 Geo Yale catalog.
This page shows a pipe with a transluscent stem.
The GBD page shows one with what is described as an "Amber" stem. The example is French made but interestingly, does not yet use the Perspex name.
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