Thomas James 2013 Rusticated Ace of Spades Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

The “Ace of Spades” is a signature design of Pennsylvania artisan Thomas James, who took up pipe making all the way back in 2006. By all appearances it’s a unique synthesis of Danish and Italian aesthetics; viewed from the side, it’s a beautifully cut scoop shape, with clear Danish and Danish-American inclinations; it also wears the kind of stony, fine-grained rustication that has come to define modern Italian pipe making, from Savinelli and its Punto Oro Corallo, to Castello and the Sea Rock Briar, and indeed to Ardor and its Urano series. But James’ design is nonetheless distinct in relation to either tradition, having been carved in the form of a spade, such as one finds in a deck of cards. Per the stamping, this pipe will have been made for the Greater Kansas City Pipe Club, either as its Pipe of the Year, or for one of its renowned carving contests.

The condition is very good. Some inner rim darkening and minor finish fading.

 

Details:

Length: 5″ / 127.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.24″ / 31.49mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g