Peterson 1999 Supreme Gold Mounted 221 Smooth Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Irish Estates

Description

Peterson pipes generally need no introduction, but just in case you’re unfamiliar: in 1876, a Latvian named Charles Peterson immigrated to Ireland and was hired making pipes in a workshop owned by Frederick and George Kapp. After rising through the ranks to become head craftsman, Peterson bought into the Kapp’s business, which was renamed, Kapp & Peterson (K&P). During this time, Peterson himself applied for several patents for pipe designs, including the world-famous Peterson’s System. Since then, Peterson has become one of the most recognizable names in pipe smoking and continues to produce high quality pipes from their headquarters in Dublin.

Debuting in 1953, the Supreme has since been the single rarest and most high-grade line produced by Peterson, making them particularly attractive to collectors. Fewer than 1% (closer to 0.05%, in fact) of briar stummels turned annually in Peterson’s factory meet the requirements to become a Supreme grade, and those that do may be distinguished even further by way of precious metal mounts. Most often these mounts are sterling silver, turned by Peterson’s renowned, in-house team of metalsmiths. Very occasionally, however, a stummel will be so impressive that it will become a Supreme Gold Mounted, i.e., a Supreme adorned with solid gold. This particular example—a classic 221 bent billiard, furnished with a collar of 9 karat gold—comes from the much-respected “Dublin era” of Peterson production. As one would expect, the bowl is lavished with tight, “angel hair” straight grain, along with a light, relatively natural finish. Which shines more, the bowl or the gold? You be the judge.

The condition is very good. Some inner rim darkening and some finish fading.

Details:

Length: 5.4″ / 137.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.73 / 18.54mm

Bowl Depth: 1.40″ / 35.56mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g