Edward’s Large Smooth Fluted Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

While it has, at times, contracted other parties to produce pipes under its name, Edward’s used to manufacture both pipes and tobacco of its own, with a view to becoming the “American Charatan” for the former. The brand was a pioneer for American freehand pipes in this way, with its employed carvers including the great Randy Wiley. This period, during the 1960s-1970s, coincided with Edward’s priding itself on using choice Algerian briar (which the Algerian war of independence later interrupted the supply of) which was specially oil-cured and very lightly finished.

Here we have another of those famous Algerian briar Edward’s pipes. And it’s another that I wonder whether it might be one of Randy Wiley’s. While it’s less in keeping with Wiley’s typical freehand style, he’s no stranger to classical shapes, and this one also features a favored motif of Wileys: feather spot carving. Whether it is his for certain—who knows? But it’s well made and a classical rendition that is nonetheless kept interesting by the “quaint” (as one might say) shaping of its bowl.

The condition is fair. Some rim charring and a few scratches around the bowl.

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.89 / 22.60mm

Bowl Depth: 1.63″ / 41.40mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 46g