Astleys Smooth Freehand Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Astleys was one of London’s most historic pipe and tobacco shops. Like many pipe tobacconists, its owners had pipes made specially to be sold under the shop’s name. Astleys pipes, however, were made by some of the premier pipe manufacturers and artisans in the UK, such as Dunhill, Charatan, Les Wood, and Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall. As a result, Astleys pipes are prized for their quality, and as examples of the very finest British pipes.

This is certainly one of the most unique Astleys pipes I’ve come across, and I’ve handled quite a few over the years. I’d call it a Dublin, but from the curious little furrows carved into the bowl, it’s clearly been shaped freehand. It almost looks like it has a little Stanwell in it (the shape 26 by Anne Julie springs to mind), but Stanwell didn’t make them quite like this. My best guess would be James Upshall, given the history of the make, as well as the similarities between this pipe’s finish and the Upshall A grades. Perhaps this is a Tradition (which used the same stain) by another name?

The condition is great. Some minor wear to the rim.

 

Details:

Length: 6.4″ / 162.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.79″ / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.48″ / 37.59mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g