Stanwell Reg Era (c.1970s) Excellence 44 Smooth Lumberman Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

Stanwell is one of Denmark’s most celebrated and enduring pipe companies, having been founded by Poul Nielsen shortly after the second world war. Over the last six decades, Stanwell has established itself as both a leader in innovative Danish design and for producing well-priced pipes with precision construction and engineering. Many of its designs were created for the company by iconic pipe-makers in the Scandinavian scene, such as Sixten Ivarsson, Anne Julie, Jess Chonowitsch, and Tom Eltang.

The Excellence is a rather rare Stanwell line, especially relative to others during the make’s long history. It was introduced at the end of the 1970s and was distinguished by its two-tone, deep contrast finish, which makes me wonder whether it may have been discontinued to make way for the Golden Contrast, which debuted just a few years later. In any case, it was quite a high-end Stanwell line as well, sitting above lines like the Handmade Deluxe and the Bench Made, and being marketed as “A must for Stanwell collectors.” This one takes the form of a pear-lumberman hybrid, the “44,” designed by none other than Sixten Ivarsson.

The condition is good. Some finish fading and a few small scratches on the bowl.

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.79″ / 45.46mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g