Yello-Bole Imperial 1930's- Picture Heavy

[papipeguy]

This Yello-Bole Imperial was my grandfather's. I'm guessing it was bought by him in the 1930's. I never saw him amoke a pipe but I have several of his. This is a huge pipe with a P-lip and there is still some of the honey coating in the bowl which tells me that this pipe was not smoked a lot. If anyone can shed more light on this I'd appreciate the info.

 

[irish]

Awesome Pipe. You are right about it being from the thirties. The Yello-bole name first appeared around 1932. From 1933-1936 they had four digit shape numbers and the fact that it says "real bruyere" instead of briar also puts it in this time frame. They quit using the four digit numbers the same time as Kaywoodie which was 36 but some carried over into 38. I couldnt read on your pipe but it should say "Honey cured briar" instead of "Cured with real honey" or won't have any mention of honey at all. Around 36-38 they started all being stamped "Cured with real honey". Very nice pipe and it should smoke really good for you. During this time KB&B had a huge stock of some of the best briar in the world. It went to Kaywoodies and Yello-boles. I am sure someone else can shed a little more light on it but hope this helps.

 

[agnosticpipe]

Very neat pipe, and some history to go with it! You should really enjoy smoking it. I find old pipes and their history interesting, and you get to have some first hand experience with it. Very nice indeed!
I recently posted a thread about an old Yello-Bole that I cobbled together, and apparently it too is a fairly old pipe. Mine was stamped "Two Way" Bit, Honey Cured Briar, has the KBB in the clover leaf, and has a 4 digit shape number. In spite of the replacement stem, and the goofy repair I did, it smokes as good as many of my other pipes. I'm impressed with some of these older "drug store" pipes and the quality found in them. Cheap fun for those of us that can't afford the high grade pipes.

 

[papipeguy]

Gary, thanks for the info. This pipe does say "Cured with real honey" so the time frame is narrowed down a bit. also the # on the pipe is 3268C. I'm guessing that the "C" means Churchill.

 

[snagstangl]

I think the C means chesterfield which I think was a system pipe. I have one that has the same markings as you but the stem was broken off around the Plip.

 

[antbauers]

Very nice, more so because it was Grandpa's. These particular Yello-Boles remind me of the WDC Jumbo Wellingtons. I think at one time these 2 companies were somehow related, under the same owner S.M. Frank.

 

[tuold]

Congrats on acquiring your grandfather's pipe. It appears he took very good care of his pipes, unlike my grandfather. His pipes came to me with dings, scorched rims and ashtray burns! I still treasure them though.

 

[plateauguy]

The older Kaywoodies and Yello Boles are very under-rated, but gaining in popularity. I own several from the 1930's and a couple from the 40's. The fact that it was your grandfather's makes it that more special.
Yello Bole was where Kaywoodie sent their "seconds" briar. Usually that meant "smaller" with a few flaws. Dave Whitney has a Kindle book called "Old Briar" - a great resource for the older American pipes including Dr. Grabow, Kaywoodie, and Yello Bole.

 

[papipeguy]

Thanks for the info, guys. I may load it today to see how it performs.

 

[irish]

Papipeguy the "C" could be for Churchhill or Chesterfield but I doubt it as they usually marked those with the word Chesterfield. The four digit number used by KB&B for Kaywoodies and Yello-boles meant your finish and shape number. In your case the 3268C means it was a push in stem , black vulcanite, smooth finish and the 68C means curved (Full bend) extra large billiard. I would guess with the markings "Cured with Real Honey" it was made from 38-40. Very nice pipe and the fact that it was your Grandpa's makes it 10x better. What Plateuguy said is true about the Yello-bole being Kaywoodie "seconds" but I have sanded down many a Yello-bole and never found a flaw, not even the hint of a fill so I think it just depended on the luck of the draw at that time. During this time period as I said earlier KB&B's briar selection was outstanding. Load her up and happy smoking!! :puffpipe:

 

[papipeguy]

Thanks, Gary. You've filled in a lot of blanks for me. I also have Grandpa's Shell Dunhill from about 1932. The shank got chewed up somehow and I had a replacement stem made about 15 years ago but it is still useable.