Aldo Velani Ultima I Smooth Apple 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.

As one might expect, “ultima” is an Italian term closely related to the English “ultimate,” and though it has worn various guises over the years, the Ultima appears to have been one of Aldo Velani’s higher end lines. This one is a beautiful, 3/4 bent apple, with a light, very Italian stain over plenty of flame grain. The pipe also features a highly distinctive, split stem design, incorporating a hardwood variety (possibly briar) and Lucite.

The condition is fair. Some mild inner rim charring and some scratches in the stem.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm

Bowl Depth: 1.43″ / 36.32mm

Weight: 2.2oz / 64g