This is a great deal for someone looking for a new Carey pipe. I have this pipe and it's a fantastic smoker. The natural briar takes on great color over time too.
At age 73, I’m not sure I’d ever use 250 Magic Inch papyrates, which, by the way, are in no way “filters.” Rather, they are absorbent sleeves. That’s why EA Carey pipes are such dry smokers.
BTW, I change papyrates about every ten bowls. Some folks change after every bowl; I don’t know why they do so.
It depends on what I smoke. It seems aromatics create more moisture than English blends, at least for me. Sometimes I'll turn the papyrate around and continue to use and other times I'll pitch it. As cheap as they are and as many as I have hoarded, I tend to pitch them when there is probably plenty of life left in them.
On a side note, that vendor on eBay is actually E.A. Carey. In addition to their website, they also sell on eBay and Amazon. I've found that it's usually cheaper to buy something from them on eBay or Amazon. Carey website shipping charges are somewhat high if you only need a small item or two.
@motie2@jfreedy There's a Carey Oom Paul on Ebay with 2 other brand pipes (total lot of 3) ending tomorrow. I only bring it up because I have never seen an Oom Paul Carey...
There are two main categories of pipes offered for sale on eBay: new and estate. New pipes are just that: un-smoked and never sold before. On the other hand, estate pipes are pre-owned and offer a great opportunity to get a very good pipe for half or less of the normal price at retail. Estate pipes can be smoked or un-smoked. Pre-smoked pipes offer the greatest chance at an excellent bargain and, when properly cleaned and sterilized with any potable alcohol, can be truly marvelous acquisitions. Estate pipes represent such an opportunity. If you have no issues with using restaurant silver and glassware, you should have no problem smoking an estate pipe once it has been properly cleaned and sterilized.
Here are some (previously posted) tips for purchasing pipes on eBay:
1. There are no great pipes for a dollar or two. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Most of the Made-in-China pipes that say “quality” are pure junk.
3. A pipe advertised as "genuine wood" is not a "briar" (see tip #5)
4. Stick with reputable pipe makers if you’re not pipe-savvy. Brands like Savinelli, Peterson, Dunhill, Stanwell, Comoys, 9E.A.Carey) and many others will offer you a great smoking experience if it’s authentic and the pipe is in good condition. Even less expensive brands like Dr. Grabow offer a good introduction to pipe smoking. And then there are quality cobs, from Missouri Meerschaum and others.
5. Look for pipes made from Briar and Meerschaum (and cob) only.
6. Before buying or bidding, you might be able to research the pipe by asking for guidance here on This Pipe Life.
7. There is such thing as counterfeit pipes so be sure you examine the photographs, read the description and determine whether the seller is reputable.
8. Examine the photos and descriptions carefully; look for cracks, charring, teeth marks, discolored stems, etc.
9, When in doubt, ask one of the TPL forum members.
10. Use the eBay search function to narrow down your search.
@motie2 ~ I recently saw a Carey Bulldog on eBay. I must have taken it off my watch list when it sold. It went for more than I was wanting to pay. It had a diamond shank but a round Carey stem. It was kind of unique.
@motie2 ~ I believe the British Carey pipes have a bigger variety of styles. I search those on eBay too, but shipping is often more than the pipe itself. I’ll keep my eye out for what you’re looking for.
First sighting of an EA Carey meerschaum Smoking Pipe Carey Magic Inch Hand carved Meerschaum Estate Pipe VGC (currently under $20.00) https://www.ebay.com/itm/264594925482
@motie2 ~ I picked up one of those on eBay last year. It needed a good cleaning. I didn’t pay anywhere near what they are asking for that one though. I just went through my history and found I paid $11 for it.
Not as often as its majesty would seem to warrant. But it’s no clencher, that’s for sure. It has been a good smoker the several times I’ve smoked it. Yet,it gets admiredf ar more than it gets smoked...
Comments
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/174102038791
On a side note, that vendor on eBay is actually E.A. Carey. In addition to their website, they also sell on eBay and Amazon. I've found that it's usually cheaper to buy something from them on eBay or Amazon. Carey website shipping charges are somewhat high if you only need a small item or two.
A Friend’s Second Commission: Rejuvenation of a Carey Magic Inch Pat. 3267941 Apple
https://rebornpipes.com/2019/11/24/a-friends-second-commission-rejuvenation-of-a-carey-magic-inch-pat-3267941-apple/EA Carey Magic Inch Smoking Pipe - Rustic Freehand Plateau Briar
NEW Buy it now $45.00 or best offerhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/Ea-Carey-Magic-Inch-Smoking-Pipe-Rustic-Freehand-Plateau-Briar/174120813823
Actually, there are always a number of bargains to be had for the discriminating shopper of used pipes. I usually begin at
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=carey+pipe&_sop=15&_ipg=200
I bought an earlier offering of
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carey-Magic-Inch-Thick-Bowl-Briar-Sitter-Smoking-Pipe-Nice/133297177995
and it is a really cool smoker.
If you don't mind sanitizing a used pipe, eBay is the way to go, and that's equally true for other pipe brands. Just be careful; read the notes and comments, and look carefully at the photos, noting what is shown and what is not.
New pipes are just that: un-smoked and never sold before. On the other hand, estate pipes are pre-owned and offer a great opportunity to get a very good pipe for half or less of the normal price at retail. Estate pipes can be smoked or un-smoked. Pre-smoked pipes offer the greatest chance at an excellent bargain and, when properly cleaned and sterilized with any potable alcohol, can be truly marvelous acquisitions.
Estate pipes represent such an opportunity. If you have no issues with using restaurant silver and glassware, you should have no problem smoking an estate pipe once it has been properly cleaned and sterilized.
Here are some (previously posted) tips for purchasing pipes on eBay:
1. There are no great pipes for a dollar or two. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
And a question for @Kmhartle:
Have you ever seen a proper E.A.Carey Bulldog or even a Rhodesian? Just curious.....
Thanks for that. I'm always looking for a EA Carey bulldog/Rhodesian. Didn't know such existed....
That is absolutely correct, and has been so for years.
Thank you for a future heads up!!!
Smoking Pipe Carey Magic Inch Hand carved Meerschaum Estate Pipe VGC
(currently under $20.00)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264594925482
Vintage Estate Smoking Pipe EA Carey Magic Inch Filter 'C' on stem 4.92" 12.5cms
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Estate-Smoking-Pipe-EA-Carey-Magic-Inch-Filter-C-on-stem-4-92-12-5cms/392676441354
E. A. Carey 344 Magic Inch Blasted Ring Grain Freehand Briar Pipe
https://www.ebay.com/itm/E-A-Carey-344-Magic-Inch-Blasted-Ring-Grain-Freehand-Briar-Pipe-Filter-Sleeve/352962848378
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/254518116152
http://www.eacarey.com/eacarey-pipes-and-tobaccos-magazine.html
DETAILED HISTORY OF EA CAREY 1948-2018
Vintage Carey Magic Inch Pipe Bamboo Stem Extension Bado 3-25-08
https://www.ebay.com/itm/383428824074?ul_noapp=true
Wouldn't have guessed that one...
Enjoying a bowl of Best of What’s Left in that fancy Carey you gifted me a while back. Sweeeeeet smoking.
Do you smoke that EA Carey Horn much, or is it too large?
Not as often as its majesty would seem to warrant. But it’s no clencher, that’s for sure. It has been a good smoker the several times I’ve smoked it. Yet,it gets admiredf ar more than it gets smoked...