John Eells 2001 CORPS Pipe of the Year Sandblasted Apple Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

John Eells was one of the towering figures of American pipe making, not only for his pipes, but also for his vast contributions to the pipe community more broadly. First trained as a pipe maker and repairman by Robert Mincer (the brother of original Custom-Bilt founder Tracy Mincer), Eells worked various odd jobs for much of his adult life while continuing to collect, restore, and make pipes as a hobbyist in his spare time. Eells would later help establish the Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers (C.O.R.P.S.) and was a regular contributor for its meetings and renowned expos. The C.O.R.P.S. provided Eells with the confidence to invest more of his energies into pipe making, which paid dividends in the form of handmade, traditional pieces that were arguably better “English” pipes than English pipes. This was particularly evident in his sandblasting, which Fred Hanna put alongside that of figures such as J.T. Cooke, Larry Roush, and Lee Von Erck, as some of the best on the market. Like many of the greats, Eells also paid forward his tutelage under Robert Mincer to the next generation of pipe makers, giving guidance to then-newer artisans such as Paul Bonacquisti and Michael Lindner. Eells passed away in 2022.

John Eells left no confusion as to his influences and preferred styles. His tradition was that of the Anglo-French greats, especially makes such as Dunhill. Looking at this one, made as the limited edition, 2001 C.O.R.P.S club pipe, it is hard not to see one very specific design from the aforementioned tradition, and indeed the aforementioned make: the post-war OD 834. Given its extra large, distinctly squat apple figure, I’ve mentioned before how much Eell’s design for the 2001 C.O.R.P.S pipe evokes the ODA 834 renditions of Dunhill’s late patent era. Had it not been fitted with a cumberland mouthpiece, one could be forgiven for mistaking the, burgundy sandblast on show here for that of a 1950s Shell Briar.

The condition is very good. Some darkening and slight wear to the inner rim.

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm

Weight: 2.6oz / 74g