Astleys Smooth Liverpool Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Astleys was one of London’s most historic pipe and tobacco shops. Like many pipe tobacconists, its owners had pipes made specially to be sold under the shop’s name. Astleys pipes, however, were made by some of the premier pipe manufacturers and artisans in the UK, such as Ashton, Dunhill, Charatan, Les Wood and Dolly Wood of Ferndown, and Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall. As a result, Astleys pipes are prized for their quality, and as examples of the very best of British pipes.

Astleys pipes are, with very few exceptions, excellent pipes deserving of their reputation. But some Astleys pipes are a cut above even that. This one is a gorgeous, flame grain Liverpool that stays decidedly faithful to tradition. Just like the great Anglo-French pipes of old, it is a slender, incredibly lightweight piece, with an almost pencil-thin shank holding everything together. This narrow mid-section allows the bowl to maintain ample chamber capacity, with the result being an easy clencher that doesn’t require constant pauses to fill it back up with one’s favorite blend. Unlike most of the pipes of old, however, this one doesn’t skimp out on the briar. Had it been sold a century ago, purchasing it would most certainly require large pockets.

The condition is great. It doesn’t appear to have seen much use. Some minor handling marks and finish fading, but nothing major.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.61″ / 40.89mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 28g