Preben Holm (c.1985-6) Hallmark H-1 Magnum Partially Rusticated Freehand Sitter (Estate)

Though he would tragically pass away at the age of 42, Preben Holm was one of the pioneering figures in the “Danish design” movement in 20th century pipe-making – a movement that still dominates the high-grade pipe scene. By hand-shaping his pipes on a belt sander, Holm was able to make the most of the patterns of grain hidden within briar, creating spectacular works of pipe art that looked just as good as they smoked. Even Herman Lane, owner of Lane Ltd. and Charatan during the 1960s and 1970s, was so impressed by Holm that he contracted the Danish artisan to carve pipes under his newly-acquired Ben Wade make, despite simultaneously stewarding the meteoric rise of English-made freehand pipes through Charatan). Today, Holm’s pipes remain highly sought-after, perhaps even more so than when he was still alive, to the extent that even the historic—and, originally, very English—Ben Wade name is difficult to separate from Holm’s work.

Though he always made freehands, Preben Holm made many different kinds of freehand pipes. Some were very rugged and rustic, while others, such as his Traditional or Designer series, were a little more subdued, and softer in form. Some pipes from Holm’s workshop were graded, while others were not. Grading seems to have been a practice reserved for the higher-end pipes produced there, and in the case of Holm’s highest-end lines, a four-tiered system was used. The latter delineated the “Quality” of a Nobel Prize (for the Ben Wade make) or Private Collection (for the Preben Holm make) pipes, which were made exclusively by Holm himself, rather than with the aid of his apprentices. But there was one other series that used a four-tiered system: the Hallmark. This, along with the extravagant nature of the designs in the Hallmark series, has led to speculation that the series was solely Holm’s own handiwork, as the Nobel Prize and Private Collection were.

On a slight side note, this particular pipe would also appear to have been from near the end of Holm’s career. The “C5” stamp on the pipe’s underside is purported to have been used by CAO, who took over American distribution of Preben Holm’s pipes in 1985. In 1986, however, Holm’s deteriorating health resulted in him having to step away from pipe making and let go of his workshop staff. Holm never quite recovered, passing away in 1989.

The condition is good. Minor rim darkening and handling marks.

Details:

Length: 8″ / 203.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.70″ / 43.18mm

Weight: 3.5oz / 102g