Charatan’s Make Reuben Era De Luxe 60 Sandblasted Zulu Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

While Dunhill may be Britain’s most famous pipe brand, Charatan is not only older, but has the honor of being the first to have made its pipes entirely in-house. “Charatan’s Make” referred to the fact that, at a time when other pipe companies were sourcing stummels and stems carved from other companies before assembling them in their factories and workshops, Charatan made every part of their pipes on the Charatan premises. So began a legacy of high-quality pipe-making under the Charatan name, one whose employees, at one time or another, included Joel Sasieni (later of Dunhill, then Sasieni fame), Stan Haney (later of Ashby Hall), Dennis Marshall (later of Milville), and Ken Barnes and Barry Jones (later of James Upshall).

F. Charatan & Son was rather late to the sandblasting game, all things considered. In fact, when they were introduced during the Reuben Era, the blasting process itself was outsourced to a window glazing company. Ultimately, Charatan brought sandblasting in-house and, soon enough, the company had created one of the most memorable relief finishes of the 20th century. Like the Barling Fossil, Charatan’s sandblasts were especially craggy and decked in ring grain patterns; like the Dunhill Tanshell, many of Charatan’s sandblasted pipes were given a very natural dress, which allowed the pipe to color over time as it was smoked.

This particular Charatan comes from the early days of the make’s sandblasted pipes, back when such pipes fell under the “De Luxe” umbrella (for catalog shapes, at least). the “De Luxe” was a mid-range pipe offered during the “Reuben era,” i.e., back when Reuben Charatan owned and operated his family’s firm, one that came in either smooth or sandblasted finishes. As a pamphlet from the time reads,

“The pipes made in the “De Luxe” quality fully seasoned bruyere, but finished with the “SANDBLASTING” process, which makes the graining stand out in relief. Exceptionally cool smoking and light in weight.”

The condition is good. Some rim darkening and handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6.1″ / 144.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.62″ / 41.14mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 32g