Lane Era Charatan’s Make Belvedere 212DC Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

While Dunhill may be Britain’s most famous pipe brand, Charatan is not only older, but has the honor of being the first to have made its pipes entirely in-house. ‘Charatan’s Make’ referred to the fact that, at a time when other pipe companies were sourcing stummels and stems carved from other companies before assembling them in their factories and workshops, Charatan made every part of their pipes on the Charatan premises. So began a legacy of high-quality pipe-making under the Charatan name, one whose employees, at one time or another, included Joel Sasieni, and Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall fame.

Collectors of Charatan pipes have their preferences for which ‘era’ of the make’s history was or is its best. From my experience, it is the Lane era (1961-77) that has the largest contingent of fans. And it’s hard to argue with those fans; the pipes made during Lane Ltd’s ownership of the make are excellent, in both their aesthetic and functional properties. This one belongs to what is known as the ‘first’ Lane era (1961-65), and is an example of Charatan’s traditional, “212” saddle billiard. It’s a relatively lightweight piece, with excellent straight grain and a modest auburn stain.

The condition is very good. Some rim darkening and slight, residual stem oxidation.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.0mm

Bowl Depth: 1.63″ / 41.4mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g