LHS Certified Purex Rusticated XL Canadian Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

LHS was an American pipe company based in New York, founded by brothers Ludwig and Hugo Stern in 1911. Known for such lines as the Sterncrest, the Purex, and the Redmanol, LHS often worked with innovative and decorative materials for their pipes, crafting and applying these materials in-house. LHS lasted until approximately 1960, when the company closed for good. Today, LHS pipes and memorabilia are particularly sought after by collectors.

I’ve handled thousands of pipes over the years, and in doing so I’ve had a chance to examine countless rustication styles. The rustication on this LHS, however, is simply fascinating. At first, it looks quite similar to the stony, “scooped” house style rustication Peterson uses, yet instead of being arranged in horizontal and relatively uniform layers, there seems to have been a different logic at work here. It reminds me of Sasieni and what would come to be called their “Rustic” finish—rustication, but in a way that largely follows the briar’s grain patterns, rather than simply ignoring them. From my research, it appears LHS referred to this finish as Rough Carved, Rare Rustic, and Antique at various times. All seem appropriate, and I must confess I’m quite smitten.

The condition is good. Rim darkening and perhaps a tad of finish fading. Please note that, like many LHS pipes, this one uses a screw tenon.

Details:

Length: 7.5″ / 190.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.48″ / 37.59mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g