WDC Triangle, Genuine Bakelite Estate Briar Pipe [SOLD OUT]

Description

The William Demuth Company, otherwise known as WDC, was established in 1862 by German-born American William Demuth, and survived as a mainstay brand in the United States until the 1970s. It would not be inappropriate to call such pipes ‘presidential,’ given that, owing initially to Demuth’s friendship with US president James Garfield, WDC pipes became an inauguration gift and fixture in the oval office for every president from Garfield to Hoover.

Judging by the design, the materials, and the case, I would estimate this WDC to have been manufactured in the early 20th century. Bakelite was invented in 1907, and soon after pipes incorporating this novel and fashionable synthetic were being used for pipe parts. These days, only the most skilled and adventurous artisans use Bakelite, given its rarity and skill barrier for crafting. For this pipe, Bakelite appears to have been used for the stem and the shank, with a screw in briar bowl to hold the tobacco itself. It’s a beautiful composition, one almost alien to pipe-making in the contemporary.

The condition is good considering the pipe’s age, but I should point out that this century-old piece does have some handling marks, as well as a chip on the inside of the top of the bowl.

 

Details:

Length: 5.2″

Bowl Width: 21.0mm

Bowl Depth: 1.1″

Weight: 1.5oz / 43g