John Middleton by Comoy’s Smooth Pot Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

John Middleton Co. is an American tobacco company founded in 1856. Pipes such as this one were made for John Middleton by Comoy’s in the early 20th century. Comoy’s itself is a historic brand in pipe making, and possibly the most historic brand in the making of briar pipes. Though originally founded in 1825 by a French family from Saint Claude, France, production of Comoy’s pipes was soon moved to London, England, where it established itself as one of the quintessential English pipe companies.

This pipe is a real “blast from the past.” And, by “past,” I mean between 1920 and 1930s. I wasn’t entirely sure what this pipe was when it landed on my desk, but after some careful research, it transpired that this pipe was made for John Middleton by Comoy’s. Pipedia suggested as such, but the more concrete evidence is on the pipe itself. For one, the shape code is 3126. Collectors might recognize that this pipe is the same shape and proportions as Comoy’s shape 126 pot, and adding a digit to the front or end of a shape code is a common practice for pipes destined for other outlets. The second piece of evidence is the pipe’s country of manufacture stamp, which is identical to the “rugby ball” stamp used by Comoy’s around the 1920s and ’30s to indicate that their pipes were made in England. It’s a beautiful, old English pipe, with its provenance and its virgin stain and silver collar making it something that both collectors and ordinary pipe smokers are sure to appreciate.

-J.M.

 

The condition is very good. Some wear to the rim (slight darkening/finish fading and a slightly over-reamed lip) and one small nick, or possibly a worn out fill, on the right side of the shank, but it’s superficial.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.85″ / 21.59mm

Bowl Depth: 1.33″ / 33.78mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g