Edward’s XL Smooth Panel Freehand Dublin 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 particular pipe looks to be from around the 1960s-1970s, back when Edward’s prided 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. It’s a fittingly large, freehand paneled Dublin which, as with another recent Edward’s, leans a little closer to the nascent American genre of freehands, especially with its dash of spot carving on the front of the bowl. The “R” stamping on the bowl could possibly indicate Randy Wiley as having carved this one, though I can’t be absolutely certain.

The condition is very good. Very minor inner rim darkening and a few very light scratches around the bowl.

 

Details:

Length: 7.0″ / 177.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.72″ / 43.68mm

Weight: 3.5oz / 100g