Michael Linder 2011 C2 Sandblasted Billiard w/ Bamboo Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

Michael Lindner was one of the first greats of 21st century pipe making, quickly rising to the top of the American artisan scene, where he would remain for nearly two decades. But, as is often the case with the greats, he came into pipes and pipe making purely by chance. After stumbling across a yard sale for the estate of a former tobacconist, Lindner was encouraged by a friend to pool the money they had on hand to purchase a box of old pipes. These were pipes that had once been part of the deceased’s store inventory, and though Lindner’s friend had originally intended to simply pay him back for all of the pipes, the two agreed that Lindner could keep a few for himself.

After experimenting a little with his selection of novelties, Lindner found that he enjoyed pipe smoking immensely and, furthermore, had a new hobby in purchasing pipes, renovating them, and selling them. In 1999, he established The Pipe Rack, one of the first online estate pipes vendors, and found significant success. The more inventory he accumulated, the more advanced machinery he found that he needed cut accurate replacement stems or reapply logos and other inlays. Ultimately, he ended up with a workshop suitable not just for restoring pipes, but for making them from scratch. By 2001, he was not only exhibiting Lindner pipes at pipe shows—he was managing to sell every pipe he’d taken with him. Over the next few years, he received guidance in his work from other American artisans, such as J.T. Cooke, Paul Bonacquisti, Trever Talbert, John Eells, and
Jody Davis, and was well on his way to becoming the master he is now known as. Lindner retired from pipe making in 2017, but his works continue to be firm favorites for collectors.

This particular Lindner is a grade C2, stout bamboo billiard. For those unaware, “C” was the second highest grade bracket for Lindner sandblasts and was reserved for impressively craggy, “ringblast” pieces. At the time this one was made, sandblasts were also subdivided into additional, ascending numerical grades ranging from 1-3, which further determined price. Around the time this one was made, a C2 grade was around $775, which today would be around $1075, adjusted for inflation. I mention that because this pipe is unsmoked, with an original bowl coating, and comes with its original leather sleeve.

 

Details:

Length: 6.3″ / 160.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.51″ / 38.35mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 46g