italian

Pulvers' Prior Briar
P.O. Box 61146
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Phone/Fax:
(650) 965-7403
Email:
mpulvers@aol.com

Pipe
Categories:

Dal Fiume Straight Grain Dublin 4 Knuckles E06 #9636

Tight s/g pretty much all around, in a natural finish that would
certainly reveal flaws, if there were any. I just looked at this
pipe under a magnifying glass and noticed an "E" stamped on
the bowl. That may be a grade. I bought the pipes, as I always
do, on their intrinsic merit, rarely looking at grade. Some
people need grades to tell them what a pipe is. After this many
years in the hobby, I don't really pay much attention to that,
except as it may inform my customers. At this point, I can only
guess that an E is a high grade. We'll see as we go along. New
6 3/4" long, bowl 1 7/8" high: Weight;1.32 oz., 37.6 grams. $325

Radice Rubino #218274BK

I wonder how, or maybe it's "why" the pipe maker decides to use
a reddish stain. Is it more than just inspiration & whim? In this
case, and maybe it's because of the off-setting silver work, the
color, a deep reddish-brown, enhances the look quite a bit. It
is like a slightly less formal Dress Black. The pipe is Grp 5 in
size & a pipe cleaner easily slides through. Amazing. New.
4.85" long, bowl 1.85" tall. Weight; 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams. $375.

Castello 3K Sea Rock Shape 65 #518105JS

I'm pretty sure that this is not the first Panel 65 I've seen, al-
though the shape is associated with a bent Billiard. The degree

of bend is the same as the traditional model. This is an older
pipe, but the cond. is very good, with one tooth indent on the
bottom of the stem. It's not a deep indent, but it's not super-
shallow, either. The draw is wide-open. BTW, if you want to
know why I dceclare this to be a shape 65, it's because that is
what the nomencalture says. Grp. 5 size. Used.
5.45" long, bowl 2.2" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 53 grams. $165.

Castello 3K Trademark #518166BK

If, as some suspect, I am the pipe whisperer, this old Trademark
(it has the U.S. logo on it and also its shape # of 63) has that
special patina that, for me, portends an extra terrific smoke,
which is saying something for a Castello. Wide-open draw,
construction that allows a cleaner to easily pass.Unsmoked.
5.4" long, bowl 1.8" tall. Weight: 1.75 oz., 50 grams. $365.

Il Duca 3B #8030283

Max created both a new, slightly asymmetrical, shape and a
new finish, burning, or burnishing, a reddish sandblast stain.
The pipe is Grp. 5 size, or even a tad larger. The draw is open
and the brindle stem is vulcanite. The drilling is spot on. The
trim may be Boxwood; I'm not sure. New.
5.9" long, bowl 2.15" tall. Weight: 3 oz., 84 grams. $432.

Castello 2K Old Antiquari #8214525

As one of my customers noted, the Castello that was once
considered a very high, perhaps overpriced, pipe now has to be
seen as providing great value for the quality. New. Price: $370
5.6" long, bowl 1.6" high. Weight: 1.75 oz., 51 grams.

Baldo Baldi #33172 (SOLD 5/27/17)

Is there anyone who puts together the combination of superb
straight grain and mammoth size like Baldo Baldi? I've
seen pipe makers that pump out straight grains in profusion, &
a few who produce huge pipes with some regularity, but both? I
can only think of Baldo. I'm not going give this size name...look
at the stats. The draw is wide open & with a little twisting, a
cleaner goes right through. Acrylic stem. Unsmoked.
7" long, bowl 2.75" tall. Weight: 4 3/8 oz., 124 grams. $1450.

Il Duca Barone 3 Morta #8030245

A bit of a stubby fellow, with the drilling right on the bottom of
the chamber, a wide-open draw and the happy ability to take a
pipe cleaner through with just a little bending of the tip of the

cleaner. The trim is Leopard Wood, I think and the stem is a
well crafted vulcanite...thin and very comfortable. New.
4.35" long, bowl 1.6" tall. Weight: 2 1/4 oz., 64 grams. $432.

Castello 3G Old Antiquari 425-0623

When a pipe seller sees a great version of a shape, any shape,
he is almost obligated to buy it. That is why I acquired this
piece from Castello. it is big and beautiful. My thumb fits tightly
into the chamber, the walls are thick & the draw is wide-open,
7.25" long, bowl 2.3" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams. $660

Il Duca 3B Morta #8030274

I don't remember the name of the exotic wood trim on this pipe,

but perhaps it's Leopard Wood. It is short, but the bowl
capacity is at least Grp. 4 in size. The draw is wide-open and
the flat, vulcanite stem is exceedingly comfortable. new.
4.4" long, bowl 1.5" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. $432.

Comoy's Tintoretto #425-109

The shank proclaims that the pipe was styled by Lorenzo, and
made in Italy. Why it needs to have a Comoy's name on it, I
can't imagine. What I can imagine, knowing where many, if not
most, if not all, Lorenzo pipes are made, is that it was made not
in Italy, but rather in Albania. Just sayin'. It's a Group 5 size
with an open draw. It has a fill that looks like Lake Oneida in
N.Y. but in fact is marginally smaller. Vulcanite stem. Unsmoked
6" long, bowl 2.15" tall. Weight: 1.75 oz., 48 grams. $45.

Caminetto New Dear #331112

A group 6 sized pipe in exc. cond. with crisp inner rim and a
wide-open draw. By crimping the end of a cleaner, I got it to go

through to the bottom of the chamber...a tribute to good con-
struction. The band is stamped sterling, & there appears to be
another stamp, probably a hallmark, but it's so small I can't
read it. Acrylic stem. Used.
5.5" long, bowl 2.25" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 70 grams. $110.

Clairmont Olea Excelsa #518191 (SOLD 6/24/17)

There is no way to know for sure if this pipe was smoked for 10
seconds or never smoked. I hate that. On the other hand, only
rarely does a good Olive Wood cross my hands. The way
olive wood, with its different colored woods and grain patterns
takes on a translucent look is much more attractive than the
simple darkening of meerschaum, which may explain why
smokers don't seem to let them go. This one is like-new, Grp. 6
or even 7 in size.
5.9" long, bowl 2.4" tall. Weight: 3 3/8 oz., 95 grams. $65.

Castello Great Line #803761

Unless it's the plateau rim, I don't understand why this is a
Greatline and not, say, a Fiammata. Well, it's a small Greatline.
5.5" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 44 grams. Price: $760

Castello 4K Trademark #824275

This Trademark is well grained all around and has that nice
touch of plateau on the inner part of the rim. It is probably a
Grp. 5, but seems like a 4 because Italian pipes are so large.
The draw is open and always note the uncoated chamber. It
was too appealing and irresistible not to buy and offer. New.
5.25" long, bowl 1.55" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 43 grams. $480.

1999 Limited Special Edition Castello "Castello" #218146

This is #10 out of 24. All 24 pieces were sold out within 15 min.
of release at the annual retail tobacco dealers' trade show. A
two page spread is devoted to these 24 pipes in the Spring
2000 edition of "Pipes & Tobaccos" magazine. All 24 are
depicted in the spread & you can pick this one out of the line-up
P&T bought one for their museum. Grp. 5 size, $1650.

Ser Jacopo Gepetto #1012257

I'm always a sucker for well-made Panels and this one has 8
sides, thick walls and the open draw you would expect from a
top grade pipe maker. Did I mention this is a large pipe? Not
huge, but plenty large.
6" long, bowl 2.15" tall. Weight: 2 1/4 oz., 65 grams. Price: $210

Il Ceppo #308037JJ

I'll be posting a half dozen Il Ceppo pipes this segment, and
pardon me if I repeat myself in saying what an underrated pipe
it is. They consistently have some of the finest grained
sandblasts in the field. They use top notch, well aged briar and
are made and overseen by just one artisan, Franco Rossi. The
problem? Possibly the name, which may suggest "cheap" to
some (it simply refers to the briar burl from which pipes are
made) or the unfortunately large, and to some reversed "C"
logo on the stem. In any case, My thumb fits into this bowl.
5.9" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 70 grams. Price: $275.

Castello Collection K from 40th Year #1224160

There are at least two unusual aspects to this pipe, from my
vantage. One is that for a Collection grade, the grain is very
mediocre, although the briar is exceedingly clean...I'll grant that.
Next is the perspex stem, which has no logo on it. On a new
pipe, it's unlikely to be a replacement ..why would someone put
this stem on, given the opportunity to put on something else?
5.95" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 55 grams. New. $365

Ser Jacopo Gepetto #1232074

Well constructed, with thick chamber walls and a wide-open
draw, this pipe shows off a nice, long oval shank. If you have
not heard (and I'm writing this 11/14/12) Giancarlo Guidi, the
founder and guiding light of Ser Jacopo all these years, died
recently. He was one of the most thoughtful and creative
of the Italian pipe makers. I do think the company will carry on
but something, maybe a lot, will be missing. The regular price
for this pipe should be $250, but we are offering it at a discount.
6.75" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams. $210

Il Duca C3 #218132


.

It is hardest to get straight grain on a Billiard, so this starts off
being a fairly rare pipe. That slight forward cant of the bowl
gives it extra panache. The draw is wide-open and the
uncoated chamber add to the desirability, at least in my eyes,
as does the brindle stem. New.
6 1/4" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 46 grams. $470.

Baldo Baldi #331266 (SOLD )

Not easy to imagine much more in the way of tighter, thinner

straight gain. This is a Grp. 6 in size, with an open draw and
except for two indents (not deep) on the bottom of the stem, is in
exc. cond. The stem is acrylic. Used.
5.6" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams. $425.

Castello Trademark GG #218130BK

In case you need convincing, here's a great argument for
buying used pipes. This pipe has barely been smoked. It is
used, buy only as a technical description. Yet, it is priced $400
less than the same pipe unsmoked...if you could get this older
Castello again, which you can't. It has a shape #, (15) Carlo
Scotti's stamp and no 40th anniversary shield. Used (maybe).
6" long, bowl 2.2" tall. Weight: 2 7/8 oz.., 82 grams. $250.

Ser Jacopo Maxima #1232098

Although there is plenty of room in which to grasp the bowl
without having your hand touching the silver cap, I would still be
concerned about burning myself. So you have to weigh the
attractiveness of the pipe and the smoking quality of a Ser
Jacopo with the occasional expletive when the skin touches
heated silver.
5.9" long, bowl 2.55" tall. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 81 grams. $395

Ser Jacopo Maxima #1232102

Quite a comfortable size for a Maxima. it's large, and you can
wrap your hand (or at least some of its fingers) around the
bowl but it doesn't come off as an unwieldy size. The draw is
open, the draft hole on the bottom of the chamber and you can
expect the same great smoke Ser Jacopo pipes tend to provide.
6" long, bowl 2.35" tall. Weight: 2.25 oz., 62 grams. Price: $315

Mastro Beraldi #33146JJ

Certainly a Dunhill Grp. 6 in size, and maybe a bit larger than
that. The grain is good all around and the light stain reveals
that there are no flaws in the briar. It sits up on its flat bottom
The draw is open & the stem is acrylic. New.
5.8" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 80 grams. $225.

Castello Old Antiquari G #1231193

Would you call the shape of this bowl an Egg? I'm so pleased
that photos mean I don't have to describe the way each pipe
looks, as I did when I first started on this end of the business in

1977 and my mailer consisted of nothing but words. Now, I just
have to pick great looking pipes, like this one, and show it you.
4.55" long, bowl 2.45" tall. Weight: 3 1/8 oz., 87 grams. $500.

Il Duca 2B Morta #8030254

This is a true Pudgy. it is short and slightly fat. Saying that, I
had a cute little girlfriend through the 6th grade who was
nicknamed "Pudge," and I suppose she was. We moved away
but I met her years later when we were about seniors in high
school. She had turned into an absolute gorgeous young
woman. When I re-introduced myself, in a friendly way, she
about totally snubbed me. Guess I didn't develop quite as
nicely. Wide open draw. Vulcanite, brindle stem. New.
4.2" long, bowl 1.5" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 39 grams. $350

Castello Great Line Sea Rock #218225BK

Good old U.S. Castello with the diamond logo and "Carlo Scotti"

stamped on the shank. I say again, the uncoated stem, if for
no other reason, makes Castello a righteous pipe in my
opinion. Typically large Great Line size. Lucite stem. New.
6" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight:2 oz., 55 grams. $435.

Castello "Castello" 4K #518184

Big, beautiful and beautifully executed Canadian that typifies
the kind of pipe that vaulted Castello to its position as the
premier Italian pipe. Larger than a Grp. 6 with a chamber into
which I can almost fit my thumb. (Hey, my right thumb goes in
and my left thumb doesn't. How about that?) Wide-open draw.
5.9" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 59 grams. New. $445.

Don Carlos #1023187

Not a huge pipe by any means, but with a large capacity
chamber into which I can fit my thumb, although the walls of the
chamber are plenty thick enough. The acrylic stem is flat and
comfortable. I am coming to the conclusion that the Don Carlos
stem represents the most comfortable of all the acrylic stems.
A wide-open draw & properly drilled/placed air hole. New.
6" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1.75 oz., 50 grams. $199.

Il Ceppo #123161JJ

With the virgin stain (if there's any stain on the pipe at all)
nothing is hidden by this sandblast. The chamber is almost
large enough to fully take my thumb, and the draft hole is
where it should be, at the bottom of the bowl. Light weight, too.
6.15" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 42 grams. New. $395.

Il Ceppo Grade 5 #123149JJ

Drilled right on the mark, and with a wide-open draw. The grain
you can seer. The chamber capacity is like a Group 5 in size,
and no bowl coating to deal with. New pipe.
6" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams. $605.

Castello 4K Trademark #1021198BK

For many years, the Trademark was released with a reddish
stain, most likely to cover up surface blemishes. Nothing wrong
with that, if you liked that color. As smooth finishes were nearly
impossible to get in the U.S., the Trademark sold well. Maybe
Castello's access to good briar has improved, but this is
stained with a light, almost English Tan look. On one side the
grain is quite good. This pipe is dated 1996 and has Carlo
Scotti's name stamped on it. At 4Ks, it's probably a Grp. 6 with
a wide-open draw and the old U.S. diamond logo on the stem.
5.35" long, bowl 2" (plus) tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 59 grams. $380

Becker #61519

Grp. 6 size in very good cond., with minor wear on inner rim &
insignificant tooth chatter on acrylic stem. Pretty clearly, this is

a Fritz Becker piece, having no grade & the most basic of
nomenclatures. It does have a "G" on it, which might mean
grand, or large pipe. The draw is open. Used
6.25" long, bowl 2.45" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 52 grams. $245.

Il Duca B1 #33102

Great, sharp texture in a blast full of character and interesting
things to look at while holding it. The pipe is large enough to be

at least a Grp. 5 and quite possible a Grp. 6. The draw is wide
open and the tobacco chamber is mercifully uncoated. You can
never have too many Billiards. New.
6 1/8" long, bowl 2.25" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams. $220.

Savinelli Autograph 8 #21806RS

Two very minor tooth marks, which I can probably buff out, on
the bottom of the stem keep this from being in exc. cond. The
draw is not only wide-open, but a pipe cleaner, with just a little
jiggle, goes right to the bottom of the well-drilled chamber. Size
I'll call a Dunhill Grp. 6, but maybe it's a bit larger. The Egg
shape of the bowl makes it very comfortable to hold, & the flat
stem does the same for the mouth. Acrylic stem. Used.
5.75" long, bowl 2.4" tall. Weight: 3 1/8 oz., 89 grams. $240

Ser Jacopo Triple Maxima R1 #82878 (SOLD 6/25/17)

The distinguishing features of this pipe, aside from its size, are
the handsome octagonal shape and the wide-open draw of a

pipe this large. Having said that, it is next a matter of whether
you are fond of very large pipes. Little more need be said. New.
5.8" long, bowl 3" tall. Weight: 4 oz., 113 grams. Price. $315.

2002 Castello Collection Great Line 3K 51883034JB

Quite large, and in exc. cond., with a wide-open draw and crisp
and clear nomenclature. Because of the amount of briar, the
chamber is not over large. Used.
6.5" long, bowl 2.6" tall. Weight: 3 1/8 oz., 88 grams. $325.

Don Carlos #1130194

Sandblasts are not common among the Don Carlos arsenal.
This one is a small, Grp. 3, with a prominent grain pattern. the
walls are relatively thin, but as I can tell you from experience,
thin walls of well cured briar do no get any hotter than thick
walls. The draw is wide-open.
5.3" long, bowl 1.6" tall. Weight: 3/4" oz.., 23 grams. $220.

Amorelli "Fertility" #425-034

Salvatore "Toto" Amorelli is, even among the creative group

that comprise pipe makers, extra creative. He has now
designed a series of pipes with a variety of designs on the
bowl. This one, showing wheat is called Fertility. The pipe
itself is from the fine briar that has always been used to make
Amorelli pipes.This full bent is a Grp. 6 in size, with a chamber
large enough to take my thumb. The draw is open, but what
surprises me is that the stem is a very comfortable vulcanite,
rather than the standard thick and ungainly acrylic of most
Italian pipes. Additionally, the bowl has no foul coating. it is
just as god, or Beelzebub (depending on your stance on
smoking) intended. New.
5" long, bowl 2.35" tall. Weight: 2.25 oz., 64 grams. $225.

Amorelli penna di San Michele #425-032JJ

If you like the feeling of a textured finish in your hand, this pipe
delivers. The shape is very comfortable and the draw is open.
Although the carving helps keep the pipe light, it has a chamber
that is large enough to take my thumb. The stem appears to
me to be vulcanite, which is a bit unusual for an Italian pipe.
The drilling is as it should be and the bowl is uncoated. New.
5.6" long, bowl 2.15" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 56 grams. $295.

Ser Jacopo S2 #82887

It was the beautiful, deep sandblast that drew me to this pipe,
but it's nice that it also has a wide-open draw, is drilled right at
the bottom of the chamber, which is large enough to take my
thumb, and yet isn't named a Maxima for the extra dollars that
brings. With just a little bent at the tip, a cleaner goes to the
bottom of the chamber. Acrylic stem. Uncoated chamber. New.
5.5" long, bowl 2.3" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 72 grams. $360.

Savinelli 00 Autograph #12310

All I can add to what you can already see is that this pipe's
tenon can also take a balsa insert, if you choose to use one.
If you do choose to use one, please don't tell me. The pipe is
easily a Grp. 6 and my thumb fits easily into the chamber. New.
5.7" long, bowl 2.5" tall. Weight: 2.25 oz., 64 grams. $725

Mimmo Provenzano #525020JJ

We acquired this pipe maker from an Italian pipe distributor
with whom we have a very good relationship. He's from
Southeast Italy (Puglia) and shows a lot of talent. This pipe is
a Grp. 4 in size (looking at Italian pipes always throws me off as
most of their pipes are just big to begin with and anything
normal looks small) has an open draw, is delightfully free of
bowl coating (do you mean there's a pipe maker who actually
listens to what the customer wants?) and with this pipe may
have worked an acrylic stem better than anything else I've
seen. This is a Grade A, whatever that means. New
5.25" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 38 grams. $245

Castello 4K Sea Rock Briar with Pi #527313

Just another Castello, about which everything is right, with the
possible exception of its acrylic stem, and that is a matter of

personal preference. It is a Grp. 5 in size. As always, the
bowl is uncoated, allowing you, the smoker, to decide how the
pipe should taste. New.
5.45" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight: 2.25 oz., 64 grams. $480.

Il Duca Duca 1 #21813

Max certainly has a way with tall bowls; at least this is the 2nd
time in two shipments that i've received beautiful stack-like
pipes from him. I can't think of anyone else who is so prolific
with this style. The draw is wide-open and I need to mention
that he pays attention to what the pipe-buying public (the
majority, anyhow) wants, which is an uncoated bowl. The dark
brindle stem provides a handsome complement to the bowl. New
6 1/8" long, bowl 2.15" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 38 grams. $395

Mimmo Provenzano #122401JJ

Unquestionably a handsome, well proportioned pipe with very
good straight grain all around and handsome Birdseye on the
rim. It's probably a Grp. 4 in size, or maybe just a bit larger. A
cleaaner goes through and the hole is drilled right where it
should be on the bottom. New.
5.65" long, bowl 1.7" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 39 grams. $395.

Il Duca B2 #218146 (RESERVED)

The sandblasted bowl is that of a Prince, and although there
certainly straight-shanked Princes, this shank treatment
certainly departs from the tradition. The shank extension is a
piece of briar, and the engineering is good enough so that the
stem fits into, an on, it perfectly regardless of which side of the
stem you use. The draw is perfectly open and I hate using the
word "perfect." The chamber is probably a Grp. 3 in size. New.
5.7" long, bowl 1.4" tall. Weight: 1.25 oz., 36 grams. $245

Castello 4K Sea Rock Briar with Pi #527278

My guess, wild & stupid though it may be, is that the design on
the side of the bowl (and it is duplicated on the other side of
this carved pipe) was inspired by what is called 'branch wood,"

meaning, simply, that a branch grew out of that part of the burl,
and when it was cut off to start boiling the briar burl, its grain
pattern is that round pattern you see, that some consider to be
soft and a negative and others, like David Field, consider to be
good and hard (it comes, after all, from the outer part of the
burl, which is much harder than the interior) & attractive. I
throw my lot in with David. But enough about me. This Is a
Grp. 6 in size, has a wide-open draw and takes a cleaner easily
to the chamber. Acrylic stem. New.
5.6" long, bowl 2.3" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 69 grams. $480.

Castello Great Line Natural Vergin #218198BK

Properly large, with an inner chamber diameter of over 8/10"

accompanied by the old U.S. logo and a Carlo Scotti stamp
rather than the new "Kino" designation. The draw is wide-open
& you have the benefit of their wonderfully uncoated chamber.
What I can do, to elicit your cooperation, is to price this as
though it were a simple Sea Rock G, providing a savings of
a cool $150. Unsmoked.
6" long, bowl 2.25" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. $465.

Castello Fiammata Collection #822309 (SOLD 5/28/17)

All very self-explanatory, to the point that I don't know what to
tell you that you. It's beautifully constructed in that it takes a
cleaner right to the bottom of the chamber. It has Carlo
Scotti's name on it, and no year stamp, so it might well have
been made prior to '87, but it shows none of that store wear so
evident in most older, but unsmoked, pipes. The lowest retail
for this grade is $970, going up to 1600 for a 4K. There are no
Ks on this one, so let's assume it's the least expensive. New.
5.7" long, bowl 1.7" tall. Weight: 2.25 oz., 63 grams. $695.

Ser Jacopo S2 #82857

Sandblast grain like this has a name...curtain grain. It is like
drapery that folds down over itself. Whether it has a name or
not, the pipe is imbued with a beautiful sandblast. The draw is
wide-open and the chamber large enough to take my thumb.
5.8" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 69 grams. $360.

Mastro de Paja 331011

The "3C" designation is one of Mastro's highest, and this pipe
has terrific, tight straight grain all around the bowl. Plus, it's
handsomely carved and has no odious bowl coating to impair
the quality of smoke. The draw is open & the drilling right at
the bottom of the chamber. Acrylic stem. Grp. 5. Unsmoked.
5.7" long, bowl 1.95" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 38 grams. $325.

Castello Old Antiquari #218216BK

Although it is carved, like a Sea Rock, the darkened top of the

bowl qualifies this as an Old Antiquari in the parlance of the
Castellos. I don't think they have the same policy today,
although I could well be wrong. Write & tell me if you know.
This pipe was not well reamed, but I'm hopeful I can improve on
that inside chamber issue. There is an "S" and no "Ks" stamped
on the pipe, and that is an indication of an early Castello
vintage. As much as it's been smoked (& apparently loved) the
overall condition is very good. Used.
5.65" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 40 grams. $150.

Caminetto A/R "Limited Edition" #425218

If you're a lover of Caminettos, and especially the first year
Ascorti-Radice output, look carefully at this beautiful pipe. The
grain is superb, the shaping excellent and the condition is like-
new. Grp. 4 size, which is small & dainty for a Cam. The draw
is open and the stem is acrylic. Used.
5" long, bowl 1.5" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 41 grams. $225.

Castello 4K Sea Rock Briar #527284 (SOLD 5/12/17)

Each year, Castello is required to put out a certain number of
pipes with a black dot logo or risk losing control of that logo. I
have heard the number is as low as 5 pipes per year, but that is

not substantiated. I am not that close to the scene. But just in
case it's correct, I almost always buy one or two of these white-
stemmed pipes. Plus, I like white stems. Otherwise, it's a
Castello. Nothing more, nothing less. Ain't that good enough?
6" long, bowl 2.2" tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 76 grams. $375.

Mastro Beraldi Churchwarden #821483JJ

Two things...1) this is not just a small, throw-away piece of briar
that was salvaged by making a Churchwarden out of it when

nothing else could be done. It is one of a commissioned group
of fine churchwrdens, with top quality, aged briar and 2) the
stems are also top quality old stock vulcanite supplied by me
for these pipes. Stems long enough to make good quality
Churchwardens are hard to find. The line on the bottom of the
bowl is part of the plateau and is definitely not a crack. The
bowl is Grp. 4 in size. New.
9.5" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. $130.

Castello 4K Sea Rock #425-902

Is the stem on this version a bit longer than typical? Seems so

but I couldn't swear to it. The Bent Egg is always eye-catching.
The draw is open and as with all Castellos, the briar has not
been compromised by a coating. New.
5.25" long, bowl 2.25" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 53 grams. $425

Mastro Beraldi Churchwarden #821494JJ

Another well, fully grained bowl that raises the bar for the
typicaly bland Churchwarden bowl. This pipe will appeal The
Billiard shape is enhanced with some sculpting at the bottom of
the bowl. The size is Grp. 4. New.
9.7" long, bowl 1.7" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 50 grams. $130.

Il Duca Barone 2 #8030249

Il Duca's max Rimensi seems to have found a little niche as the

premier maker of Stacks among today's new pipe makers. I
see hardly anyone else making them. Max has made a number
of them. This sandblast has an open draw (rather requisite in a
Stack) and bending the tip of the cleaner and twisting just a
little rather miraculously lets it get to the bottom of the chamber.
5.6" long, bowl 2.65" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 45 grams. $320.

Castello "Castello" 4K #824268

Here is an interesting treatment by the pipe makers of Castello.
I think we can all see the influence of Charatan in the cup &
saucer shaping. What we see of the 'cup' exhibits a lot of
straight grain. The intricately carved 'saucer' would normally
elicit a "Pi" designation from Castello, which also means more
money, but there is no Pi stamped on the shank, so it was
presented to me, and is not presented to you, as a straight-
forward "Castello" which is, happily, a not too expensive grade
of the brand. It's a compact Grp. 5 size, with a wide-open draw
& is actually a comfortable pipe to hold. New.
5.5" long, bowl 1.85" tall. weight: 1 5/8 oz., 46 grams. $590

Castello KK Collection Fiammata #425-022SF

Grp. 6, with a chamber large enough for me to get my thumb
into. The cond. is very good, with minor tooth marks on the
bottom of the stem. The draw is wide-open. The year of
production is 1990, with Carlo Scotti's name stamped on the
bottom of the shank. Used.
6" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 52 grams. $235.

Castello 3K Sea Rock Briar

Seems like a Grp. 4, but as Castellos are fairly large, maybe it's

a bit bigger than a 4. As a new pipe, and with its classic shape,
there is not a lot to add, but if you have any questions, ask. New
5.6" long, bowl 1.85" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 41 grams. $325

Castello 3K Great Line Collection #68306SR

In excellent cond. with a wide-open draw and that spiral/fluted
bowl that is so attractive. I tell ya, there seems to be enough
straight grain to call this a Fiammata. The pipe was made in
the year 2000. Used.
6" long, bowl 2.7" tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 75 grams. $345.

Aldo Velani Ultima #331102 (SOLD 6/7/17)

I
It's hard to know if this pipe has ever been smoked or the dark-
ness in the chamber is due to the heat from a drill. No sign of
tobacco use is evident, even in the mortise, where it almost
always appears. Open draw and Grp. 6 size.
6.25" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 56 grams. $50.

Il Ceppo Freeline 1 #1224028

Noteworthy about this Grp. 6 sized sandblast is the wide-open
draw. The construction is also excellent. Not only is the hole
drilled at the bottom of the chamber, but a cleaner, once the tip
is bent, does go through to that bottom with just a little effort. I
was curious and so I tried a cleaner and the result did surprise
me. I should raise the price based on that alone. But I won't.
The stem is acrylic and the pipe is unsmoked.
4.9" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 3 oz., 85 grams. $175.

Don Carlos 2 Note #33139

A large Canadian, with a tobacco chamber that easily takes my
thumb. There is a lot of good, straight grain on the bowl and
the draw is wide-open. With this natural finish, you can see that
the briar is flaw-free and with the uncoated bowl and Bruto's
well aged, superior briar, it should smoke exceptionally well. New
6 5/8" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams. $250.

Ser Jacopo Rowlette Maxima #925085

I own a large Italian-English dictionary and the word "Rowlette"
is nowhere to be found in it. I have no idea where the word
comesfrom and how it came to define what is often termed the
candle drip finish. But there you have it, and so it does. As a
Maxima, this is a large pipe and my thumb fits easily into the

chamber, despite thick walls. The draw is wide-open. New,
6 5/8" long, bowl 2.35" tall. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 83 grams. $375.

Ser Jacopo Triple Maxima 3925082

here's something to consider, although I hope you don't con-
sider it until after you order and pay for this pipe: the thickness
of the chamber wall is over 1/2". That's where a lot of money

for this pipe goes. Of course, that is a particularly stupid way of
looking at it, but it is a different POV. Yes, I can fit my thumb
into the chamber of a Triple Maxima. The draw is open and
the flat bottom suitable for head bashing. New.
6.75" long, bowl 2.4" tall. Weight: 4 oz., 115 grams. $325.

Radice Rubino #1224060

Fine cross grain and excellent carving create this nifty Stack-like
pipe. I guess you can call it a Grp. 5 in size, or maybe a 6. The
draft is drilled right on the bottom of the chamber. Unsmoked.
5.45" long, bowl 2.25" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz, 42 grams. $215.

Castello Milano #925088

On the bottom of the silver band, it says "Milano 2015." What
the pipe is meant to commemorate I have no idea. Nor do I

know what the band's design is meant to depict, although
wheat stalks might be close. It's a Grp. 5 in size with a large
capacity bowl into which I can almost fit my thumb. The
numbers stamped on the side of the shank are 81 120, leading
me to believe that this was pipe number 81 in a run of 120.the
bowl shape is almost that of an Acorn. Very pleasing. New.
5.85" long, bowl 2.2" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. $660

Castello 4K Natural Vergin #1224462

This size could have been declared a G. I can squeeze my
thumb into the chamber, so that has a pretty good capacity.

Yet, the walls are thick; there's a lot of bowl there. The draw is
wide open. Again I point out that if a brand like Castello doesn't
feel the need to coat their bowls, why should anyone else
perform that sin on their pipes? New.
5.5" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight: 2.25 oz., 65 grams. $350.

Mastro Beraldi Churchwarden #925069

Another of the custom made Churchwardens with quality briar.
The bowl size is between Grp. 3 & Grp. 4 in size, the draw is
open. The Mastro Beraldi Churchwardens were ordered
because otherwise, the options on bowl shapes and sizes for
Churchwardens are extremely limited. Plus, I had fine old
vulcanite stems, making the project feasible. Good stuff all
around. New.
9.5" long, bowl 1.65" tall. Weight: 1.75 oz., 48 grams. $130.

Castello 3K Collection #925094

The highly esteemed shap3 55 in a well grained Collection
grade, with a wide-open draw and a Group 4 or maybe small
Group 5 sized bowl. The pipe has an old-fashioned round
button that I have seen on a couple of new Castellos. An
interesting feature, I think. Once they get a shape down,
Castello does a very good job of it, often with slight modification.
4.95" long, bowl 1.6" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams. $750.

Mastro Beraldi Churchwarden #925075

A Grp. 4 sized bowl in the Prince shape for this Churchwarden.
Another of the custom ordered and made Churchwardens with
good, old stock vulcanite for the stem.
9 3/4" long, bowl 1.4" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 43 grams. $130.

Castello "Castello" G #925122

Not that I felt my stock needed another Castello shape 65, but
this pipe was too attractive to allow another dealer to get their
hands on it. The color, the fit and finish you all expect from
Castello, but the clincher for me was the quality of the cross
grain, which puts this pipe very close to what you can expect in
an Occhio di Pernice, especially the amount of Bird's Eye. I can
just about get the thicker of my two thumbs into the chamber.
5.7" long, bowl 2.35" tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 75 grams. $595

1997 Radice Clear G #218211BK (SOLD 6/25/17)

This is a large and beautiful italian pipe, with straight or flame
grain all around the bowl. I can not recall seeing a Radice with
its year of production stamped on it, but maybe I haven't been
paying attention. The draw is open and a pipe cleaner passes
easily to the bottom of the chamber. The band is marked .925,
meaning it meets the sterling silver standard in Europe. The
light stain means that if there were any cosmetic flaws, you
would be able to see them, so this is top quality briar. New.
6" long, bowl 2.3" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 71 grams. $375.

Castello Great Line 3K Collection #123147SR

Quite large (please refer to the dimensions for specifics) and in
excellent condition, with a wide-open draw. It was made in
1998, and considering the grain quality, I'm surprised it isn't
also a Fiammata. Used.
6.5" long, bowl 2.3" tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 73 grams. $345

Savinelli Giubileo D'Oro #425186FT

This desirable shape in Savinelli's highest grade for traditional
shapes. The pipe is in exc. cond, light stain to exhibit the clean
wood, an open draw & construction that allows for a cleaner to
easily traverse the entire innards. My thumb fits into the bowl.
5.35" long, bowl 1.7" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 67 grams. $325.

Castello 3K Natural Vergin #90249

Ah, Mussolini's favorite pipe, the Squashed Tomato. Now you,
too, can have a piece of history....I think I'm getting carried
away here. Back to work. The draw is wide-open, the shape is
always a pleasure to hold and it is fun to watch a Vergin color
up. New.
5.55" long, bowl 1.4" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 52 grams. $395

Caminetto New Dear #425157

Beautifully and artfully rusticated, in near-new cond., with a sort

of purple, pearlized acrylic stem. Far more attractive, I think,
than the majority of Caminettos that I've seen. You judge. Used.
6" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 51 grams. $110.

Mario Grandi #42574 (RESERVED)

The chamber is pretty big for this very small pipe. It's a 15 min.
smoke. The draw is wide-open &despite being Italian has a
vulcanite stem. No fills in the briar. Unsmoked.
4.65" long, bowl 1.55" tall. Weight: 7/8 oz., 25 grams. $35.

Il Duca D Barone Morta #11711FT

Max is wise enough to put a lot of thought and energy into his
stemwork. That's the part that dictates how comfortable the pipe

feel, yet is often neglected for what i consider to be less
meaningful cosmetic treatments. Unlike most italians, the Il
Duca stem is vulcanite, which provides a softer, more malleable
feel for the teeth. With the rarest of exceptions (perhaps two of
my pipes have acrylic stems) unless the stem is vulcanite, I'm
not interested. This pipe is Grp. 4 size with a wide-open draw.
5.4" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 40 grams. $275.

Savinelli Punto Oro #331115

The blast on this pipe is incontrovertible evidence of what
Savinelli can produce if they so want. Dunhill, Il Ceppo, any of
the great blasters would be proud of this creation. On top of
which the cond. is exc., with just a touch of a tooth indent on
the bottom of the stem, right at the button. Vulcanite. Used.
4" long, bowl 2.4" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. $115.

Castello G Sea Rock Briar #425-093

Not a common Castello shape, with additional unusual touches
of a white stem with black dot (Castello has to produce a
certain number of them each year to retain the logo rights) and
the contrasting disc of a bottom. More important, the draw is
quite good. it's a big capacity bowl with thick walls. New.
4.55" long, bowl 2.25" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 69 grams. $450.

1986 Savinelli Pipe of the Year #1224451

Another of the minimally smoked POYs. Grp. 5 size. Open
draw, acrylic stem and all that jazz. Used.
5.65" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1.75 oz., 51 grams. $75.

Mastro de Paja #A 3218135BK

A very well grained (notice the Bird's Eye-rich rim) pipe in near
new cond., with an open draw and the ability to easily take a
cleaner to the chamber, where the air hole is right at the
bottom. The bowl appears to be a Grp. 6 in size. Used.
5.45" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 55 grams. $175

Baldo Baldi (RESERVED)

This is exactly the kind of pipe that gave Baldo Baldi his
reputation as a top tier pipe maker. The grain is wonderful,
especially for a piece of briar this size. Look at the stats to get
an idea of how large it is. The draw is open, the cond. is exc.
6.5" long, bowl 2.5" tall. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 81 grams. $525.

Castello 3K Sea Rock Briar #425104 (RESERVED PJ)

Here's a good old wagon. Only a Grp. 3 in size, but in exc.
cond. (you're not going to let a little carbon on the rim upset
you, are you?). The Ks are not in an oval, it has the shape #
stamped on it (41) & the "LO" for Lorenzo in Milan. Stamp a "B"
on the end of that & you have a "Legendary Old Briar." Used.
5.8" long, 1.65" tall. Weight: 1. oz., 29 grams. $165.

1993 Castello 4K Collection #425107

Not a Fiammata, but it didn't miss by much, I'm pretty sure. You
can see the shape and the condition & I can see, and tell you
about, the castle (castello) logo on the silver band. So, that's
original, too. The draw is wide-open 7 it's a Grp. 5 size. Used.
5.5" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1.25 oz., 36 grams. $225.

Castello Sea Rock 74 #425191

This is an older Castello, with the shape number stamped on
the bottom of the shank, as well as Carlo Scotti's name. Indeed,
it doesn't have any Ks, which may be an indicator of a true
vintage piece. What it does have is an "F" stamped on it, and
I can't find any reference to that bit of nomenclature in standard
Castello lore. Bowl & rim wear is minimal, but the person who
owned this pipe chewed not the stem so much, but the raised
button. Mostly, it's OK, but there is one deep dent on the top of
the button. If you don't bite on the button, and most of us don't,
it shouldn't be a problem. BTW, the stem does not pull out
from the ferrule, as one might suspect, but rather the entire
black acrylic piece unscrews from the shank. Old, huh? Used.
6" long, bowl 2.6" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams. $135.

Mastro de Paja #425205 (SOLD 6/14/17)

A Handsome sandblast with an open draw and construction that
allows for a cleaner to go directly into the chamber with a little
twisting of the cleaner. Cond. is exc., & it's Grp. 5 size. Used.
5.25" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 46 grams. $65.

Mastro de Paja #425233 (SOLD 5/22/17)

A fine Poker with a 3A grade designation, which is very high,
although I confess to not truly grasping Mastro's byzantine
system. The cond. is exc., and it's a Grp. 5 size with an open
draw. Ignore that little black spot on the round, silver logo on
the top of the stem. The logo is simply tarnished and will easily
come off before shipping. I forgot to clean it before
photographing the pipe. Acrylic stem. Used.
5.25" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 44 grams. $75.

Radice Silk Cut #51829FT (SOLD 5/31/17)

Not just a Silk Cut (sandblast) but with a good amount of that
Rowlette, or candle drip, finish. A big, handsome pipe of a Grp.
6 size with a chamber diameter into which I can fit, tightly, my
thumb. Wide-open draw & construction that lets a cleaner pass
from the button to the bottom of the bowl. The cond. is exc.
5.9" long, bowl 2.25" tall. Weight: 3 oz., 85 grams. Used. $95.

Castello Shape 74 Sea Rock #51874JS

There is another shape 74 Sea Rock on the page, but there are
differences. This pipe is also old enough not to have any Ks on

it, but it also does not have Carlo Scotti's name stamped on it,
soes not have a threaded ferrule (the stem works traditionally)
but it does have an "F" stamped on it, so I wonder what that
means. The cond. here is better than the one above, too...the
stem has only very minor tooth chatter and the rim is not worn.
5.85" long, bowl 2.65" tall. Weight: 1.75 oz., 51 grams. $175.

Ascorti New Dear #518167 (SOLD 6/15/17)

The condition here is good, with the worst thing I can say about

this pipe is that there is some carbon buildup on the rim. The
stem is free of bite marks and the draw is open. It is marked KS,
meaning, I suppose, King Size, so call it a Grp. 6 in size. Used.
5.35" long, bowl 2.35" tall. Weight: 1 .75 oz., 51 grams. $75.