If anyone needs....

[Dock]

I've been helped many times with putting a fair market value on a high grade pipe by folks who's opinions I value highly. This comes in handy especially well if you're bidding on an e-bay pipe with no fixed price. As time goes by I've also got pretty darn good at doing this myself. If anyone here ever needs advice as to an estate pipe's worth please don't hesitate to drop me a pm.

I'm also open to sharing my own opinions and experiences with a certain carver or company which some folks may be justifiably reluctant to do on a public board.

Also, if you're looking for a specific pipe and haven't had any luck finding it, drop me a line. I'm fortunate to have some connections which may be of service....

 

[Mikem]

Thanks for the offer Dock. Your opinions on carvers, etc. will really help when needed.

 

[Sasquatch]

Hey I got a half-empty tin of Navy Flake from July. It's in pretty good shape, gold foil a little crumpled.

So, uh, what's it worth???


:cheers:

 

[Dock]

Hey I got a half-empty tin of Navy Flake from July. It's in pretty good shape, gold foil a little crumpled.

So, uh, what's it worth???


:cheers:

$7.50 :lol:

 

[Trout Bum]

Thanks for offering your expertise... When the time is right, which won't be for a while, I will take you up on your kind offer!

 

[Amenhotep04]

Okay, I've got a question: Paolo Becker, thoughts in general?

http://www.thebriary.com/becker_pipes.htm

Becker 1 - I realize the pipe is overpriced, as Skip's prices are a bit high compared to just about any retail place. Nevertheless, I held this pipe in my hand. Loved it. But, it's pricey for me. Nevertheless I can't get it out of my head.
These morta pipes, I've read mixed results on how they smoke. I'm debating between this and spending a couple hundred dollars less for a Le Nuvole.

Knock yourself out.

I appreciate your feedback.

:farao:

 

[Dock]

Okay, I've got a question: Paolo Becker, thoughts in general?

http://www.thebriary.com/becker_pipes.htm

Becker 1 - I realize the pipe is overpriced, as Skip's prices are a bit high compared to just about any retail place. Nevertheless, I held this pipe in my hand. Loved it. But, it's pricey for me. Nevertheless I can't get it out of my head.
These morta pipes, I've read mixed results on how they smoke. I'm debating between this and spending a couple hundred dollars less for a Le Nuvole.

Knock yourself out.

I appreciate your feedback.

:farao:

I've seen many. The funny thing about them is that while made in Italy many really have a decidedly Danish aestheic. I think Dal Fiume's and II Duca's are very similar in this way. These three are making the only really avante garde shapes in the Italian market.

Paolo does a really excellent sandblast and I think this is where he excels the most. His shapes are awesome especially his pokers. I really love his shank work and the overall balance of them. I'd warn you that I'd really want to buy one as an estate as their resale value is exceedingly low unless it's an ultra highgrade "Royal Flush".

I have never owned one and never smoked one so I can't speak to those characteristics.

 

[Eulenburg]

I have a lovely, sand-blasted Becker & Musicò classic dublin, silver-mounted. A beautifully finished, handsome pipe that smokes very well indeed. The bit is broad and comfortable, I love the whole thing.

 

[Natch]

Kind offer, brother, very kind indeed.

Natch

 

[kaiser83]

Since you are offering help I wondered if you would mind telling me if I got a good deal on an auction I just won. I am new to pipe smoking and overseas so I haven't really learned values yet, especially of Dunhill and Ben Wade. Guessing these will be the best two pipes in my collection since my best pipe so far is a Stanwell. Regardless I am happy that I can now try a Dunhill out and see what all the hype is about with them. Since I have only been a member 4 days I am not allowed to post a link to the auction in here but I did save the description and pictures. Thank you.

Description:
Nice dunhill bent filter pipe, with of course beautiful grain that smokes very nice. Stem has absolutly no teeth marks. The nomenclature is very faint on the briar, due to wear and buffing of the pipe. The markings are 56 dunhill 4(in circle) A. There is minor wear to the the briar, but only from age, no cracks in the briar.

The Ben wade has beautiful straight/flame grain all the way around. Nice thick walls for a cool smoke. The nomenclature is: Ben Wade Golden Walnut Hand Made in Denmark. The stem is Original with the crown logo, just very hard to see do to buffing and cleaning of the stem. Briar is in perfect condition other than a small char mark on the inside rim of the bowl, (see pics), does not effect the smoke of the pipe.

Both pipes I have smoked and cleaned on a regular rotation, so there are no, "bad tastes in the briar", I smoked aromatics in the dunhill and virginias in the ben wade.
The dunhill is a group 4, so that should give a good judgment as to what size the ben wade is.

Again, thank you. I am looking darn forward to getting home and smoking them. Oh sorry I got them both for 219.50.

 

[smokinbriar]

Good to know if the time ever arises.

 

[riff raff]

Since you are offering help I wondered if you would mind telling me if I got a good deal on an auction I just won.

Again, thank you. I am looking darn forward to getting home and smoking them. Oh sorry I got them both for 219.50.

That 1964 Dunhill alone is worth the $200 or pretty darn close. So, you got the Ben Wade literally for free! I'm not a freehand fan, but can see where that Wade would be a great smoker. I LOVE that Dunhill, one of m favorite shapes. I don't yet own a 60's era Dunhill, but they were regarded as the prime of Dunhill so enjoy smoking that one as well!

 

[kaiser83]

Thank you for the info. I figured I got a good deal but wanted to be certain. I am looking forward to smoking them both. Very happy that the Dunhill is from their prime era and hope it smokes like it. Again thank you.

 

[Puff Daddy]

It's not a 1964 Dunhill, it's a group 4 sized pipe. The 4 in a circle denotes pipe group size, not date of manufacture. There should be more nomenclature on the pipe that says 'Made in England' with a number immediately following. This number will determine the year of manufacture, and there may be other stampings such as a reg'd # if it's quite old, and there should be a model name like 'Bruyere' or 'Root'.

Without a date stamp and grade name it will be tough to give a value, and the fact that it's a filter pipe will mean it will fetch less in the states. Also will depend on whether or not there are any repairs, chips, cracks, burns, etc, and what condition the finish is in (it's aesthetic appearance, how far from new does it look in terms of use). Just eyeballing the pics and not knowing the date, I'd say $140 - $170 so long as everything looks good and there are no stamps that would boost it's value, like a bunch of ***'s or a DR stamp.

I haven't much knowledge of Ben Wade so can't help there.

 

[kaiser83]

Until I get home I won't be able to see if there are any other markings. The guy said it says 56 Dunhill 4 (in circle), but does not mention any other markings. From the description it sounds and looks to be in stellar shape. Fingers are crossed, but regardless I am happy to have it in my collection now and if there's a filter in it I will smoke it without it.

 

[Harlock999]

It's not a 1964 Dunhill, it's a group 4 sized pipe. The 4 in a circle denotes pipe group size, not date of manufacture. There should be more nomenclature on the pipe that says 'Made in England' with a number immediately following. This number will determine the year of manufacture, and there may be other stampings such as a reg'd # if it's quite old, and there should be a model name like 'Bruyere' or 'Root'.

This, exactly.
Someone could probably do a thesis on Dunhill stampings, although Castello's marks seem even more mysterious at times... :scratch:

 

[Puff Daddy]

Until I get home I won't be able to see if there are any other markings. The guy said it says 56 Dunhill 4 (in circle), but does not mention any other markings. From the description it sounds and looks to be in stellar shape. Fingers are crossed, but regardless I am happy to have it in my collection now and if there's a filter in it I will smoke it without it.

It looks like a fine pipe, hope you get many years of enjoyment from it! The thing is, it's value is a transcient thing, it can fluctuate with the present trends of collectors, and only really matters if you're looking to sell it. Regardless of any further nomenclature discovered, I'd say you did well and certainly didn't overpay for it. I believe the 'A' stamp you found after the circled 4 denotes a filter pipe if I recall correctly, and these pipes were generally made for the German/eastern European market. The only issue I could see is if the gap from lack of filter gave you troubles with the draw (condensation) and you had no adapter. You'd have to either source one or smoke it with filters, but these are not big issues normanlly.

Let us know what you find when you examine the stampings under good light and we'll try to give you a full breakdown of what it is. BTW, the 56 is the shape stamp, a bent billiard, a real classic, and a good looker.

 

[riff raff]

It's not a 1964 Dunhill, it's a group 4 sized pipe. The 4 in a circle denotes pipe group size, not date of manufacture.

Ah yes, correct of course. I missed it was a filter pipe as well, good catch.

 

[kaiser83]

It looks like a fine pipe, hope you get many years of enjoyment from it! The thing is, it's value is a transcient thing, it can fluctuate with the present trends of collectors, and only really matters if you're looking to sell it. Regardless of any further nomenclature discovered, I'd say you did well and certainly didn't overpay for it. I believe the 'A' stamp you found after the circled 4 denotes a filter pipe if I recall correctly, and these pipes were generally made for the German/eastern European market. The only issue I could see is if the gap from lack of filter gave you troubles with the draw (condensation) and you had no adapter. You'd have to either source one or smoke it with filters, but these are not big issues normanlly.

Let us know what you find when you examine the stampings under good light and we'll try to give you a full breakdown of what it is. BTW, the 56 is the shape stamp, a bent billiard, a real classic, and a good looker.

Awesome! I do plan on getting many years of enjoyment out of it. I will definitely let you know if it has more markings once I get home. And now to search the forum and learn about filter adapters to go in there since I don't like actual filters. It is nice to know that the 56 is a bent billiard and the 4 is for a filter pipe. Thanks a lot guys it is much appreciated.

 

[Puff Daddy]

The 'A' is for filter pipe.

The 56 is the shape number.

The circled 4 is the size designation (group 4 pipe).

The number you should find after 'Made in England' will give the year of maufacture.

There should be a model name like 'Root' or 'Bruyere' also, this designates the type of finish on the pipe.

You could get a simple filter adapter made by most any pipe repair guy, one that will fill the extra gap inside the stem and still maintain a good airway. Probanly a helluva lot cheaper than trying to find an actual Dunhill filter adapter, if they even make them.