Primo Flammee Sand 1, Sandblasted Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, Italy [SOLD OUT]

Description

‘Primo’ pipes are something of a mystery. To my knowledge, there are two significant pipe-makers in recorded history to have been called ‘Primo.’ The first, was the Italian Primo Soriani, who was something of a mentor figure for Bruno Sordini of Ser Jacopo and Don Carlos. The other is Primo Polidori, who was an Italian-American pipe-maker who worked as a supervisor for Linkman’s and also as an artisan carver for Cellini, both of which were located in Chicago, Illinois.

Here’s my problem: this pipe looks almost exactly like a shape that Cellini used to make (which itself seems to have been heavily inspired by a shape from Danish tobacconist W.O. Larsen), which was in their 1980 catalog; but the stamping on this pipe says it was made in Italy. So, perhaps it wasn’t made by Polidori. But Soriani started making pipes in the early 20th century, and this one looks a little too modern to fit that timeline. If you happen to know who this Primo is, I would be grateful for more information. It’s pretty rare that I get stumped by a pipe make like this, and it’s a shame in this instance because the pipe is genuinely lovely.

As I said, it reminds me of a Larsen shape – I happen to have a Larsen almost exactly like it, including the plateau rim. It’s expertly sandblasted in the bark-like style seen on other Italian pipes such as Ser Jacopo or Il Ceppo, The rim is a little dark (dark, not charred), but that could be simply a darker finish used for the plateau, as is often the case. The pipe is in great condition. I just wish I knew what it was.

 

Details:

Length: 5.8″

Bowl Width: 23.3mm

Bowl Depth: 1.9″

Weight: 1.7oz / 50g