Edward’s XL Smooth Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

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, this one showing much more of a “Danish” influence in its shaping than some I’ve seen. Taking the form of a large, nicely grained freehand with a colorful acrylic stem, it is certainly something I could imagine a young Randy Wiley carving, or indeed one of his fellow pioneers in the American freehand scene.

The condition is good. Some rim darkening and a few scratches around the bowl.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.95 / 24.13mm

Bowl Depth: 2.02″ / 51.30mm

Weight: 2.2oz / 64g