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Elementary My Dear Watson... My Calabash Journey.
Bonanzadriver
Master
This past Saturday was a scorcher here in Pinehurst. The mercury was 100 F and the heat index was over 110 !
Way too hot to go golfin, for me at least, so my son and pipe pal Nick and I decided to go hit up some antique shops and see what we could see.
The first couple were "Granny Antique" shops, you know, full of china, crystal and figurines. The third place was pretty decent. Not too big, but in a neat old victorian house built in 1870 sumthin. The ower, a nice lady, was very friendly and took us on the nickel tour. I shared that I was looking for things for my mancave and primarily interested in tobaciana types of things, specifically pipe and cigar stuff.
She took me over to a book case that had a few shelves of Decatur pipe stands, rests and cigar ashtrays. When it was all said and done I left there with 5 single pipe rests and one 3-pipe stand, all walnut & pecan that she was askin $70 or $80 for. I got her down to $20.
Nick picked up a really neat pewter stein from Amsterdam, got her down to $10 on that.
On the way out she told me that she did have one pipe... A Sherlock Holmes type of pipe. Turns out it was an unsmoked Calabash with a Meerschaum bowl. The stem was vulcanite but the mount/shank was acrylic or plastic.
She was asking $189 for it, OBO. I looked it over, the cork seal was in good shape, the stummel/gourd was in great shape, as was the mount and the stem. The only downside was that the stem was brownish from oxidation.
I politely shared that I really wasn't in the market for such a pipe. She pressed me a little bit and asked what I would offer her for it. I explained that in my limited opinion, I thought the pipe wasn't really all that old and that although it was in great shape, it had no markings whatsoever and was what we referred to as a "No Name" pipe. The acrylic/plastic mount lead e to believe it was probably only 5 to 15 years old at best.
With all of that being said I offered her $30. She pondered just a few seconds and said that she really couldn't take less than $40.
I again politely thanked her and suggested she try ebay.
After I got home that evening I got online and started looking up Calabash's. I concluded that $40 wasn't a bad price, especially considering the great condition of the pipe.
So, today I took an extended lunch break and drove back up to her shop. She was surprised to see me and asked if I was back for the Sherlock Holmes pipe? I shared that I would like to look it over again and proceeded to thoroughly examine it.
When it was all said and done with I told her I'd pay the $40 if she would throw in a pipe rest for the Calabash and another of the 3-pipe stands.
She agreed.
So here it is....
Before...
And after I cleaned up the stem
And finally sittin on the shelf with her new stable mates, some Bent Bulldogs....
Way too hot to go golfin, for me at least, so my son and pipe pal Nick and I decided to go hit up some antique shops and see what we could see.
The first couple were "Granny Antique" shops, you know, full of china, crystal and figurines. The third place was pretty decent. Not too big, but in a neat old victorian house built in 1870 sumthin. The ower, a nice lady, was very friendly and took us on the nickel tour. I shared that I was looking for things for my mancave and primarily interested in tobaciana types of things, specifically pipe and cigar stuff.
She took me over to a book case that had a few shelves of Decatur pipe stands, rests and cigar ashtrays. When it was all said and done I left there with 5 single pipe rests and one 3-pipe stand, all walnut & pecan that she was askin $70 or $80 for. I got her down to $20.
Nick picked up a really neat pewter stein from Amsterdam, got her down to $10 on that.
On the way out she told me that she did have one pipe... A Sherlock Holmes type of pipe. Turns out it was an unsmoked Calabash with a Meerschaum bowl. The stem was vulcanite but the mount/shank was acrylic or plastic.
She was asking $189 for it, OBO. I looked it over, the cork seal was in good shape, the stummel/gourd was in great shape, as was the mount and the stem. The only downside was that the stem was brownish from oxidation.
I politely shared that I really wasn't in the market for such a pipe. She pressed me a little bit and asked what I would offer her for it. I explained that in my limited opinion, I thought the pipe wasn't really all that old and that although it was in great shape, it had no markings whatsoever and was what we referred to as a "No Name" pipe. The acrylic/plastic mount lead e to believe it was probably only 5 to 15 years old at best.
With all of that being said I offered her $30. She pondered just a few seconds and said that she really couldn't take less than $40.
I again politely thanked her and suggested she try ebay.
After I got home that evening I got online and started looking up Calabash's. I concluded that $40 wasn't a bad price, especially considering the great condition of the pipe.
So, today I took an extended lunch break and drove back up to her shop. She was surprised to see me and asked if I was back for the Sherlock Holmes pipe? I shared that I would like to look it over again and proceeded to thoroughly examine it.
When it was all said and done with I told her I'd pay the $40 if she would throw in a pipe rest for the Calabash and another of the 3-pipe stands.
She agreed.
So here it is....
Before...
And after I cleaned up the stem
And finally sittin on the shelf with her new stable mates, some Bent Bulldogs....
Comments
Bonanza, you did well!
If I am not mistaken, that is a Pioneer calabash, most likely from the 1970's era. The best ones have meerschaum bowls. Some you will find have porcelain bowls, and tend to be less desirable by most collectors. Judging from the thickness of the bowl vertically, I would say yours is definitely meer. The porcelain ones are typically much thinner.
I usually clean mine by removing the meerschaum bowl and stem, find something to prop the pipe vertically, then fill with a distilled spirit. When you are ready to pour out the residue, make sure to pour it out the smaller stem end of the gourd. You don't want any distilled spirit coming in contact with the cork lining on the larger end.
If you ever need repairs on your gourd meer, I believe Mark Tinsky is still doing those type repairs.
http://amsmoke.com/
Personally, I would have a hard time breaking in that pipe, being as old as it is, and considering the depreciation it would cause. Her original asking price was not that high, considering the pipe has never been smoked.
I just finished a bowl of aged Margate in her.
Man was it absolutely exquisite !
Cool, dry and brimming with extraordinary flavor.
I think I've found my dedicated Esoterica Pipe!
(good thing I guess since I've probably ruined it's resale value)
Thanks again for your input though.
@Bonanzadriver Great looking pipe. I think everyone needs at least one calabash in their collection. Not something I'd recommend for a clencher since they are more of a holding pipe. Mine smokes great - but I don't use it as often as I should.
You did a great job cleaning it up.
It took me a few trips to the antique store before I pulled the trigger and finally bought my Burl King Danish Thumhole/Bridge Pipe. Sometimes it just takes a little pondering before you realize it's something you want to add to your collection. And if you're lucky enough it'll still there when you return. I've lost out on a few because I was hesitant ... then when I decided to buy it the pipe was gone.
It turns out it is indeed a gourd calabash...
https://rebornpipes.com/tag/gourd-calabash-pipes-by-pioneer/
With a little help from a fellow calabasher on another forum we were able to determine that it is a "Pioneer" Gourd Calabash. The factory produced these from the mid 60's to the mid 80's.
So, it's older than I thought and I'm even more appreciative of the fact that I picked up a 30 to 40 year old un-smoked calabash .
Motie my friend, nothin to covet bud. But I'll be on the look out for one and will let ya know when I find it.
Here's mine.....
It appears that we all have Pioneer Calabash's. From talking with Terry, on the other site, and reading what he sent me about Pioneers, the differentiator seems to be the "Top Hat" shaped plastic/acrylic shank/mount.
Pappy, it appears to me that the height of the bowl on your pipe is taller/thicker than the one I have.
Obviously not knowing much about these pipes, I don't know if this means anything with regards to age or model or????
Bonanza, Here is an example of a porcelain gourd Calabash, for sale on ebay right now. The seller has it listed as meerschaum, but the dead giveaway is the thinness of the bowl vertically, as well as the carving on the gourd. Every time I see one of these porcelain Calabash for sale, they usually always have the carved gourd.
If you ever find one of these for a low price, you can easily have it fitted with a new meerschaum cup, which for obvious reasons is the superior material compared to porcelain.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322617219382?ul_noapp=true