Aldo Velani Grande 39 XL Sandblasted Canadian Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Aldo Velani pipes are made by Cesare Barontini at the latter’s factory in Italy. Originally, Aldo Velani was conceived by Mastercraft to be a new Italian make for the American market, as all of Mastercraft’s other pipes at the time were of English or French origin. Mastercraft partnered with Barontini, and thus the Aldo Velani make was born. More recently, Aldo Velani was acquired by Mitchell Thomas, with production—still by Barontini—recommencing after 2008.

If there’s one thing Italian pipe makers love more than pebble dash rustication, it is—as evinced by Brebbia, Mastro de Paja, Ser Jacopo, Don Carlos, Claudio Cavicchi, and many, many others—it is extra long shank, long shank shapes. Here we find Barontini’s Aldo Velani make throwing its hat into the ring, with a very unorthodox Canadian rendition. With its slightly maritime, Dublinesque bowl and diamond shank, I sense a little bit of Charatan to it, actually, though it is distinctive enough to not be derivative.

The condition is very good. Minor rim darkening and very slight handling marks.

Details:

Length: 7.3″ / 185.42mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.42″ / 36.06mm

Weight: 1.3oz / 38g