Peterson Supreme Silver Mounted XL90S 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. This one, for example, is a Supreme Silver Mounted, having been fitted with a large collar of sterling silver during the final stages of its manufacture. It is also a rather significant shape in the history of Peterson pipes, though one that has, over the last 125 years, gone by several different names. Peterson historian Mark Irwin notes that the XL90 and XL90S (“S” indicating a saddle stem) can in fact be traced to some of Charles Peterson’s earliest designs for Kapp & Peterson in the late 19th century, where much the same shape was designated as the “9.” In the System Standard range, it transformed into the 307, whereas among non-System shapes it branched off into the XL90 and XL90S, which are much closer to the original. On the other hand, more recent XL90 variations are not only far less common than in previous years, but aren’t quite as “chubby” (as Irwin terms them), or indeed as stubby as this one, perhaps indicating further changes in Peterson’s contemporary house style.

The condition is very good. Some finish fading and minor inner rim charring.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.80 / 20.32mm

Bowl Depth: 1.56″ / 39.62mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 68g