Clarence Mickles Smooth Bent Rhodesian Estate Briar Pipe, Handmade

About this pipe:

Clarence Mickles was a pipe-maker from Illinois, Chicago, and something of a legend within the North American pipe scene. Before making pipes, Mickles was an auto mechanic, which is one reason why he was affectionately known as the ‘Mechanic.’ The other reason is that he was a supremely gifted pipe repairman, in addition to being a respected carver of his own, hand made pipes. Mickles passed away in 2001, after a 30-year career as a pipe-maker, but the profound impact he had on the pipe community ensured that he has not been forgotten, especially by collectors.

Judging by the nomenclature, this appears to be an earlier pipe from Mickles’ career. Later, he switched to a block lettered stamp, as well as adopting his dot inlay stem logo, but regardless, this pipe shows well enough why he was so revered. It’s an interesting hybrid of shapes, quite typical to the late 20th century American artisan movement, which blends an almost Oom-Paul/Hungarian bend angle with a pot or even a vase bowl shape. It reminds me of Ed Burak’s Connoisseur saxophones a little, actually. A very nice pipe.

The condition is fantastic – barely smoked, even. There’s a mark on the rim that looks to be either a tiny kiss of plateau or a spot-rustication, but it seems to have been Clarence’s making rather than an injury later incurred by the pipe.

Details:

Length: 6.2″

Bowl Width: 20.3mm

Bowl Depth: 1.6″

Weight: 2.7oz / 78g