Mark Tinsky Partially Rusticated Lumberman Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

American artisan Mark Tinsky first came to prominence as a pipe maker during the late 1970s, when he and Curt Rollar founded the appropriately named American Pipe Smoking Co. Tinsky and Rollar’s partnership continued until 1990, when the pair split amicably, with Tinsky retaining ownership of the company. In the early 21st century, Mark Tinsky began to carve pipes under his own name, while continuing to use the American name for his expanded venture into pipe making supplies for the next generation of master artisans.

While the Scandinavian influence on American artisan pipes is well documented, there is also a notable connection between Italian high-grades, both solo carvers and workshops, and certain American masters. With certain figures, like Mike Butera, this connection has been quite direct, given Butera’s time spent in Italy with Carlo Scotti, Baldo Baldi, and others. In the case of Mark Tinsky, it appears to be more implicit, though it’s not difficult to look at his approaches to rustication and see something of an Italian bent. This one certainly strikes as Italian inspired, with its golden, pebble-dash finish, as well as its unconventionally lengthy figure. Either way, it’s a beautiful smoker, and not too heavy for such a long pipe, either.

The condition is good. Minor finish fading and slight handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6.8″ / 172.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.68″ / 42.67mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g