english

1975 Group 4 Dunhill Root #12186541CG

For a simple Root Briar, this pipe has good cross grain, with the
Bird's Eye on the front and back of the bowl, and the cross
grain on the side, which is opposite of what you mostly see. The
condition is excellent and the draw is wide open. With a slight
tweak of the pipe cleaner tip, it goes through to the bottom.
4.5" long, bowl 1.8" high. Weight: 1.5 oz., 41 grams. $195

1993 Ashton LX Pebble Grain Bent Billiard. #1890

Although I can get my thumb into the chamber, the walls are
more than thick enough. With a saddle stem this should be a
comfortable pipe to hold in the mouth, despite its size. The
drilling is spot on, with the air hole at the bottom of the bowl.

6 ¼” long, bowl 2 1/8” high: Weight; 2.43 oz. 69.1 grams. $240

Pulvers' Prior Briar
P.O. Box 61146
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Phone/Fax:
(650) 965-7403
Email:
mpulvers@aol.com

Pipe
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Charatan Distinction with Gold Band #9600

For such a high grade pipe, this is really large. Despite rather
thick wall, the tobacco chamber opening is well over an inch in
diameter. The straight grain is quite good, but not terrific, as is
the way with most, if not all, Distinctions. It was "Made by Hand
in the City of London and the gold band is stamped both "CP"
and 686 or 989. It also carries the Charatan DC stem.

6 5/16" long, bowl 2 7/8" high: Weight; 4.53 oz., 128.5 grms.New
Price. $650

Ferndown Bark Silver Spigot Billiard #12151411

6" long, bowl 1.9" high. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 54 grams.
New. Price: $275

Ferndown Bark Silver Spigot Apple #12151425

6.95" long, bowl 2.07" high. Weight: 2.5 oz., 71 grams.
New. Price: $275

Charatan Distinction #2274838

There is just a little wear on the inside of the rim at two spots
and the stem has a couple of annoying looking tooth marks, but
none deep, just long. It's all original, has the Lane "L" and the
inner chamber is very clean. Used. Price: $85
5.8" long, bowl 2" high. Weight: 1.5 oz., 43 grams

Ashton Old Church XX Apple. #1888

One of the more unique designs of Bill Ashton-Taylor, not to be
duplicated, unfortunately. It is about a Grp. 5 in size with an
open draw and the comfortable hand feel typical of an Apple.
5 3/4” long, bowl 13/4” tall: Weight; 1.59 oz. 45.3 grams. $245

Dunhill Pat. # Shell #6275588CD

I don't know the exact year of this pipe, but it looks like 1949 to
me. It's not that the nomenclature has been rubbed down,
because that is not the case. It just looks like a little double or
over-stamping, so the date area is fuzzy. If I cared, I could
probably look it up. I don't care, so don't ask me to. This pipe
is in exec. cond. Used.
6" long, bowl 1.35" high. Weight: 1 oz., 28 grams. Price: $295

James Upshall B #1225273 (SOLD 1/14/12)

Using one of my personal standards, this pipe will be a great
smoker. That standard, or criterion, is the patina of the brair.
It's intuitive and seems to work. Of course, when applied to a
pipe like an old Upshall, the odds are well in my favor, anyhow.
The condition here is excellent. The size is about a lge. Grp. 6.
The grain does fall off in front, but a "B" is a darned good grade
6.25" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams. Price: $165

Dunhill Longtitude #530090SR

Num. 285 of just 2000 pipes made to celebrate the Millenium.
It comes with a booklet to help you 1) find the time in another
city; 2) compare local times of cities in different time zone, and
3) find when other cities are in the millenium hour relative to
your local time zone. Pipe comes in a leather, book-like case.
It is unsmoked.
5.8" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight: 3 oz., 86 grams. Price: $1200

Sasieni 4 Dot Ruff Root Dark #1225056

I'd love to say, in my snide way, that the dark spot on the
bottom of the bowl on the lower photo is a beginning burnout
but this is a brand new pipe, so it's just a little mis-staining.
5.3" long, bowl 1.8" tall. Weight: 1 1/4 oz., 36 grams. $60

Peterson's Irish Whiskey #480148 (SOLD 12/22/11)

A stubby Lovat with a good capacity tobacco chamber and a lot
of Bird's Eye grain on one side of the bowl and cross grain on
the other, for the most part. I'm sure there are fills in a
Peterson of this (or most any other) grade, but I don't see 'em.
4.65" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 43 grams. New. $75.

Pat. # 1954 Dunhill DR H Root Briar #6270103JH

This high end Dunhill straight grain is in excellent condition, with
clean, clear nomenclature. The dot is clearly the old, original
ivory, but the hole at the end of the stem is round, rather than a
slit. The size is a about a Grp. 3. FYI, we noticed that a much
lower straight grain grade, a D I think, went for about $1850 on
eBay within the last few weeks. This represents a great value.
5.45" long, bowl 1.4" tall. Weight: 1 oz., 26 grams. Price: $1765

Charatan's Make #1225249SW

This pipe is no longer crisp, as it were, and mostly, I would
surmise, because it was so well loved. You can still see the
remnants of the "CP" on the stem (which is in excellent cond.)
and the chamber is in very good condition. A Grp. 3 in size.
5" long, bowl 1.8" tall. Weight: 1 1/8 oz., 31 grams. $50.

1973 Dunhill Bruyere #1028BG

Poor use of matches, or poor selection of a lighter has caused
some wear on the inner rim of the tobacco chamber, but the
chamber itself, the stem and the outer wood are all in excellent
condition. The draw is wide-open and as with most well
constructed saddle stems, it's quite flat and comfortable. The
stamping says Grp. 3 in size, but it could easily pass as a Grp.4
5.5" long, bowl 1.6" tall. Weight: 1 1/8 oz., 33 grams. $125.

Sasieni Four Dot Rustic #1123158 (SOLD 12/28/11)

This is a family era version, with the word "four" and the name
of the shape, "Bowler," stamped on the shank. And although it
is not so early as to have a Pat. # on it, it was clearly rusticated
by one of the old, skilled carvers. The condition is excellent
with no marks on the stem or charring on the rim. I notice that
in the photos that the stem was not pushed up against the
shank, showing daylight. That was my oversight. The fit is
flush and fine. A large Grp. 3 or small 4 in size.
6" long, bow 1.25" tall. Weight: 1 oz., 29 grams. Price: $145.

1988 Ashton LX Pebble Grain 9140309JT

From the earliest days of Ashton production, when it can be
fairly safely assumed that Bill Taylor was personally responsible
for the entire operation comes this uncommon Canadian in
near-mint condition, inside and out. Should you need to ask,
the draw is open and the button is crisp.
6.9" long, bowl 2.3" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 70 grams. Price: $375

1960 Dunhill Shell #1225196 (RESERVED)

This is a one owner pipe and although it sports a repair band
and a replacement stem, the bowl is in excellent condition, the
draw is open and the nomenclature still quite clear.
5.1" long, bowl 1.65" tall. Weight: 1.25 oz., 35 grams. $115.

1954 Dunhill Pat. # Bijou #712 8330

This is a little gem, with a horn-like stem made by Ronni B, so it
is only a little better than the original stem. The cond. is exc.,
although it is almost too small to smoke. Almost. Used.
4 3/4" long, bowl 1 1/4" tall. Weight: 3/8 oz., 11 grams. $225

Sasieni 4 Dot "Burton" #53011DS

A less than common shape from Sasieni in generally excellent
condition with no stem marks and a clean rim, although the
thickness on one side of the rim is a touch thinner. The draw is
open and one side of the bowl exhibits pure Bird's Eye.
6" long, bowl 1.85" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. Price: $150.

BBB #1225027

I don't know the age of this pipe, but I do know that the shape is
rather unusual for a BBB. The condition is excellent and the
diamond logo is still visible on the top of the stem. It has an
open draw and a comfortable stem. Because the bowl and
stem come together as they do, it's might be easier to hold in
the mouth than in the hand. it's a about a Grp. 4 in size.
5.3" long, bowl 1.5" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 39 grams. Price: $75

1913 BBB #530116SR

The profile shots are almost life size. It's a small pipe, but in
excellent condition and cut so charmingly, so quaintly. The
stem has a slit on the top, much like a Peterson P lip, but with a
longer, rather than rounder hole. The overall cond. is exc.
4.15" long, bowl 1.6" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 40 grams. $290

1937 Dunhill shape 36 #2169165JH (SOLD 1/25/12)

In superlative condition, especially considering the pipe's age.
The draw is wide-open, the chamber is like-new, the stem has
but the faint mark of a tooth on the bottom. It's a beaut.
5.4" long, bowl 1.85" tall. Weight: 11/8 oz., 33 grams. $395

Pre-Transition Barling ExExEL #9130124 (SOLD 1/13/12)

I'm going to see if I can extract $55 out of this thing. The
nomenclature is worn very thin, the logo has been buffed off
the stem (although it looks like it is original, if that matters at
this point) and the shank was removed from its original position
next to the bowl, as can be seen by the crack where it was
glued back. The inner chamber looks good enough, though.
6.3" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 49 grams. Price: $55.

Ashton 1999 LX Brindle #913296JT

This Bill Taylor Panel is unsmoked and if you look carefully you
will see that the rim of the bowl is blasted, carrying through the
blast on the bottom 1/5 of the bowl in a special design touch.
The draw is wide open and the tobacco chamber is big enough
for me to put my thumb into it. An LX Brindle is quite uncommon
6.45" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 76 grams. $400

1908 BBB #1028097SR (SOLD 1/8/12)

BBB made its reputation with creating beautiful Calabash pipes.
This pipe clearly takes its shape from the Calabash. The
condition is almost excellent, the shortcoming being a tooth
indentation on the top of the stem. It's fairly deep, but unless
you fit your Canine into that specific spot, it poses no problem
for pipe longevity. The draw is open and invites smoking.
5.25" long, bowl 1.8" tall. Weight: 1 oz., 27 grams. Price: $185

Pre-Transition Barling #1123081 (SOLD 1/6/12)

Barling's best shape may well have been the Apple. The shape
number on this is 1655 and it is an EL. The stem is clearly
original, but the Barling logo has been buffed off. The nomen-
clature on the bottom is all crisp and clear and the rim does
show carbon, but not any charring or wear. The blast is deep.
5.45" long, bowl 1.65" tall. Weight: 1 1/8 oz., 32 grams. $175.

1890 BBB #530104SR

This graceful pipe has a threaded horn tenon, which accounts
for the fact that the stem sits just a very little past perfectly
straight. (The photo makes it seem much more severe than is
the case.) The condition is excellent and the draw wide-open.
5.6" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1.75 oz., 48 grams. Price: $340

Comoy's Extraodinnaire #530050DS

This certainly qualifies as an extraordinary Extraordinnaire.
For those keeping score, it's shape #803 and the condition is
excellent. The nomenclature assures that it is of proper
vintage, with the round stamp listing only country and not an
underbar "London." A true collector's piece, I can safely say.
8.8" long, bowl 2.4" tall. Weight: 3 1/8 oz., 90 grams. $500.

1999 Group 5 Dunhill Shell #1123097AC

Unsmoked and with a sharp, attractive sandblast. Certainly
better than a lot of their recent fare. The draw is open and the
stem appears to be made of the high quality vulcanite for which
Dunhill is known. It comes in a hard, presentation case.
5 3/4" long, bowl 1 11/16" tall: Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 51 grams. $325

1970 Dunhill Shell #1123151 (SOLD 12/26/11)

Rather minimalist approach to both pipe making and pipe
nomenclature here, so I might as well keep it short, too. The
pipe is in near-new condition, and is closer to a Grp. 5 in size
than a Grp. 4, as it is designated by its shape number, which
starts with the number 4. Not a great blast, but so what?
6.75" long, bowl 1 13/16" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 50 grams. $135

1917 BBB #530107SR

Not a whole lot larger in person than it is in the photos above.
As you can see, the Stubby shape is nothing new, and for
some undiscernable reason it might have been as possible 100
years ago as it is now. There is no accounting for taste.
4.15" long, bowl 1.7" tall. Weight: 1.25 oz., 36 grams. $235.

Patent # Sasieni Four Dot Warwick #627040NM (SOLD 1/25

Some of the nomenclature is not as crisp as one might wish,
but it is all there and legible. The pipe itself is certainly in very
good condition; the condition of the tobacco chamber is such
that this pipe is capable of giving a couple more lifetimes worth
of great smoking if properly cared for. There is a hint of a tooth
mark on the stem, but as a whole, it calls for being smoked.
5.9" long, bowl 1.8" tall. Weight: 1 1/4 oz., 35 grams. $165

Pre-Transition Barling #6270100JH

The small "Barling's Make" logo in block letters, the old style
stem with a round hole at the end and the absence of size
numbers all conspire to make one convinced that this is a pre
WWI model. Indeed, with this kind of all-around straight grain
and no nomenclature designating the quality also is a sign of
an early briar Barling. The condition is excellent. There are no
tooth marks on the old stem and the nomenclature is crisp. The
size of the pipe is about a small Grp. 3.
5.5" long, bowl 1.55" tall. Weight: 7/8 oz., 24 grams. Price: $385

GBD Collector Virgin#1225261

That the perspex stem is clear is a huge factor in this pipe,
mostly because it is so hard to clean the insides when it is
nicotine stained. The condition is very good all around. There
is a tiny tooth mark on the bottom of the stem and a hint of
wear on the inside rim of the stem. The draw is adequate, if not
great, and I can fit my thumb into the bowl, although it doesn't
go down that far due to the chamber's slightly conical shape. It
is a large pipe, as you can see from the height of that bowl.
5.7" long, bowl 2.45" tall. Weight: 2 1/4 oz., 63 grams. $145

Patent Number Dunhill DR C #6270037NM

Alas, the nomenclature is rather worn. I can barely make out
the beginnings of the "Pat." for Patent number and the best I
can ascertain (looking in the sun, with a magnifying glass) the
remnants of the numbers indicate years between 1935-1941,
with 1937 seeming to be the specific year. The other side of the
shank is much more revealing, with a very clear DRC imprinted.
The stem gives every appearance of being original and in good
condition, with a shallow tooth indentation on both the top and
bottom of the stem near the button. The size is about a grp.3.
5.2" long, bowl 1.65" tall. Weight: 1 oz., 27 grams. Price: $325

Ferndown 2 Star Bark #1123161GN

I was certainly around at the conception of the Ferndown pipe,
but I didn't pay as much attention to its evolution as perhaps I
should have. Still, I would guess that this is an early model.
There are just aspects to it that are not refined. The condition
is excellent, although there is a ding on the side of the bowl.
Actually, the pipe is far from having been broken in. It does
have a good, open draw. and the rustication is evocative of the
old Barling Quaints.
5.9" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. $135.

Charatan Free hand Relief After Hours #1225093 (SOLD)

The After Hours line of older Charatans was designed to take
advantage of good briar that did not have a long enough shank
and required an extension, which the yellow plastic provides.
Sometimes a device like that works with the public, and
sometimes it doesn't. In the case of the After Hours it did,
perhaps in large part due to the unassailable reputation of
Charatans. This pipe is in excellent condition, with a wide-open
draw and a comfortable D.C. stem. It does have the Lane "L."
6" long, bowl 1.6" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 39 grams. $125.

1968 Dunhill Shell #6270161BG (RESERVED)

A Grp. 4 oval shanked Shell in excellent condition, with a bowl
rim that's crisp and a stem with no teeth marks. The draw is
open for a good smoke.
5.65" long, bowl 1.7" tall. Weight: 1 oz., 29 grams. Price: $135

1969 Grp. 4 Dunhill Shell #6270169BG (SOLD 9/5/11)

The original owner of this pipe had the habit of putting his teeth
on the button of his pipes. In this case, a small fracture
ensued. There is also wear on the bowl rim due to careless
lighting practices. My contention? If you don't put pressure on
the button, as most don't, the stem will stay intact indefinitely.
The rim may not look great but the tobacco chamber is fine and
can give years and years of great service.
5.9" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 42 grams. Price: $95.

Charatan Supreme#1028133JH

I'm not ready to sell this pipe yet, but I do have to empty the
disc of photographs so I can begin the next round. I'll let you
know if it is smoked or unsmoked when the consignor comes
back from Italy and I'll post the price then. The straight grain is,
just as it appears, solid all around the pipe.
6.5" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 1/4 oz., 63 grams. Price: $975

1961 Dunhill Bruyere #1123091 (SOLD)

An exceptional Dunhill, in my opinion. Alas, it was cracked at
the base of the bowl, and although it takes a focused eye, you
can see the crack line going around the shank at the juncture
of the shank and bowl. it has been braced by a metal rod so
there should be little fear of further damage. Else, the pipe is
in very good condition. The draw is open, but not wide-open.
6.5" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1 1/4 oz., 35 grams. $80.

1960 Dunhill Bruyere Shape 56, Grp. 4 #9130044BG (RES.)

Despite obvious use, as evinced by the thin nomenclature, the
pipe is in very good condition. It has a wide-open draw and the
stem has nothing more than very slight tooth chatter on the
bottom. One spot on the inner chamber rim shows a touch of
lighter wear. Considering the vintage, this should smoke well.
5.75" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 45 grams. $160.

1978 Dunhill Root Briar #9130062BG (SOLD 10/19/11)

There is a little wear on the chamber rim, but it's actually more
of a carbon residue than wear. The chamber itself is in fine
condition and the stem is crisp and tooth mark-free. The draw
is open .
6" long, bowl 1.6" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 38 grams. Price: $135.

1966 dunhill shell #9130068BG (SOLD 9/21/11)

If this were my pipe I would not release it at this time. But it's a
consignment piece and the widow needs the loot. For whatever
reason, it seems to me that the prices commanded for the older
Dunhills are well below what they should be selling for.
This pipe was made prior to Dunhill going to their 8 piece
frazing maching and it is in excellent condition with an original
stem and a wide open draw. The nomenclature is crisp, too.
5.55" long, bowl 1.65" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 39 grams. $185.

BBB "Rare Grain" #913008EG (SOLD 1/8/12)

I do believe this pipe's straight grain is rare for a BBB. I
certainly don't remember ever seeing one of their pipes with
eved good grain, let alone something this tight and total. The
condition of the pipe is excellent and the draw is open. For
those who like to know, it is BBB shape # 428.
5.9" long, bowl 1.6" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 45 grams. $275.

Peterson Standard System Shape 307 #9130183 (RES.)

The pipe is in excellent condition, with no tooth indentations on
the stem or wear on the rim. If, however, there was a "P" on the
stem, it has been buffed off. The stem is clearly original,
attested to by the standard insufficient Peterson draw.
6.6" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 66 grams. Price: $45.

1978 Dunhill Shell #1123200GN (SOLD 1/13/12)

I think that the dot is a little small to be original, considering the
year of production, but I could be mistaken. In any case, it's a
good stem with a properly inserted dot and the draw on the
pipe is wide-open. Something else has me slightly perplexed:
the shape number on the bottom of the flat shank (the pipe sits
up nicely) is 34741, which should indicate a Group 3 in size.
This pipe is definitely a Grp. 4 in actuality; I can nearly fit my
thumb into the chamber. Also, despite being in excellent
condition, inside and out, the blast has been worn down
somewhat by a loving hand. I take it as a good sign when a
pipe has been smoked frequently, but is still in excellent cond.
Somebody really cared about the pipe.
5.9" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 38 grams. $95.

Tilshead #1225258 (SOLD 1/13/12)

There really isn't a lot to say here because the pipe is in such
good condition. The draw is wide-open and the chamber hasn't
seen much tobacco. The hint of carbon on one spot of the rim
is almost not worth the effort to buff off. It's a Grp. 5 in size.
5.65" long, bowl 1.85" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 44 grams. $75.

Charatan Selected #1028122

A standard shape in a grade mostly reserved for Free Hands
where they can get the most out of the grain. The condition is
very good, the only issues being weak, but quite legible
nomenclature. The "L" is also present and there are no tooth
marks on the stem, which has a rather clear "CP." Open draw.
5.8" long, bowl 1.65" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 38 grams. $165.

1980 Dunhill Grp. 5 Bruyere #1028130BG

Other than that match or lighter erosion on the inner rim of the
tobacco chamber, the pipe is in excellent condition, with an
open draw. Oops. I do see a mere touch of a tooth indent on
the top of the stem button. Full disclosure and all that.
6" long, bowl 1.85" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams. $145.

Sasieni 8 Dot #1225255 (SOLD 1/13/12)

The dots are done so well that I would like to believe that this is
an original stem, and it may be, but the condition of the stem is
so good, that it makes me doubt. But...why would someone go
to the trouble to put so much money into a pipe that has that
trouble with the rim and a badly worn nomenclature on the
bottom? Well, it is an old Sasieni, with a Pat. #., or the residue
of one. It is also small...about a Grp. 2.5 or a small 3.
5.3" long, bowl 1.65" tall. Weight: 7/8 oz., 27 grams. $110.

Peterson Sherlock Holmes #1225 (SOLD 1/27/12)

The pipe is in excellent condition and the draw is no worse than
on any other Peterson with a P-lip. As this doesn't designate
any of the characters in the Doyle canon, this must be an early
Sherlock Holmes pipe. The chamber capacity is quite large,
with my thumb easily fitting into the chamber.
6" long, bowl 2.2" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 61 grams. $75.