Pulvers' Prior Briar
P.O. Box 85
Los Altos, CA  94022

Phone
650-965-4773
Email:
mpulvers@aol.com
Pipe
Categories:
Proietti #22780
This must be an early Proietti because I've looked at his web
site's pipe gallery and he makes some rather nice looking, well
balanced, proportional pipes.  This one has a thin wall over the
shank that could be problematic if smoked hot.  The draw is open,
but the bend makes it near-impossible to see the chamber and
light the bowl correctly.  It's an ambitious, but unwise, attempt by
someone who doesn't have command of the basics to make an
advanced shape.  Clearly, he has learned his craft since this
ill-advised attempt.   Its a Small grp. 4 in size.  New.
4.85" long, bowl 1.8" tall.  Weight: 1.25 oz., 34 grams. $125.
Mastro Beraldi #112366JJ (SOLD)
Group 5 (or maybe large 4) with open draw and great hand feel
for those that like that textured feel, such as I.  Mastro Beraldi's
pipe makers (father & son in Rome) have retired from pipe
making after many years, so this great value brand will no
longer grace the market.  They were a very popular hand-made
antidote to the more expensive, mostly machine, made Savinelli
and Peterson pipes.  New.
5.5" long, bowl 1.9" tall.  Weight: 1 1/8 oz., 33 grams. $65.
Mastro de Paja 3B #210142
I am 99.95% sure that this pipe is unsmoked, but that .05%
means that I have to mention it.  That uncoated spot of the air-
hole means it's unsmoked, but the chamber has not been all that
smoothly coated, raising that scintilla of doubt.  Anyhow, it's a
Grp. 5 size, with good straight grain all-around, including the
front of the bowl, which I apparently forgot to photograph.  Please
don't ask me what the grade 3B means.  When I carried this pipe
in my shop, I had their grading system on a sheet. Byzantine.
5.45" long, bowl 1.85" tall.  Weight: 1.5 oz., 42 grams. $95.
Il Ceppo #1123171JJ
Grp. 6 size with beautiful ring grain blast.  A pipe cleaner flows
through the stem and shank easily.  The draw is open & the
hole is right at the bottom of the chamber.  The band does not
say it is sterling, but it is tarnishing, so maybe it is.  That would
account for the steep increase in price over the same grade
but without a band.  In Europe, the addition of a band adds
abut $100 to the price of a pipe.  New.
5.4" long, bowl 2.15" tall.  Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 53 grams. $175.
Il Duca 3B #89-30283
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.
Il Duca Barone 3 Morta #89-30245
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 #89-30274
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.
Ascorti Business #210139
Grp. 6 in size with a chamber into which I can fit my thumb.  The
cond. is exc., with a crisp rim and mark-free stem.  It does have
"KS" stamped on it, which I always interpret to mean King Size,
although why they would refer to English words on an Italian-
made pipe I have no idea.  But then, it also says "Hand Made
Italy" on it, so we know the market they were aiming for.  Used.
6.5" long, bowl 2.15" tall.  Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 52 grams. $65.
2012 Castello Occhio di Pernice Collection #8913CO
By virtue of what artistic standard is straight grain more
desirable than Bird's Eye?  Who made that decision for us?  By
a long shot I think that Bird's Eye is grain is more diverse and
interesting to look at than straight grain.  This is a 2K, with nice
thick walls and an open draw.  Surprisingly, to me at least, a
cleaner, with just a little twist, goes right to the bottom of the
chamber.  That's good engineering, nicht wahr?  New.
4.65" long, bowl 2.35" tall.  Weight: 2.5 oz., 71 grams. $565.
Castello Great Line K #89-3761
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: $610
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, $1395.
Ser Jacopo Gepetto #623-2257
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: $145
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.
Savinelli Churchwarden #21008
The bowl is a Grp. 4 size, the draw is open & the chamber walls
are plenty thick enough to do the job.  New.
10 5/8" long, bowl 1.8" tall.  Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 40 grams. $65.
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. $410.
Baldo Baldi #1123261
This does not come across as a large pipe on first viewing, but my
thumb fits into the chamber despite the quite thick walls.  The stem
is, of course, acrylic, and flat and wide and comfortable.  The draw
is open & the bowl happily uncoated.  Unsmoked.
5" long, bowl 2.15" tall.  Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 53 grams. $950.
Castello 4K Sea Rock Briar #424193LW
The condition of the bowl, rim and chamber are very good; there
are a number of very shallow tooth marks on the bottom of the
stem, which I can polish and reduce, if not eliminate.  The draw is
open and the pipe is a Grp. 6 size. This is an old U.S. pipe. Used.
5" long, bowl 2.4" tall.  Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams. $165.
Ser Jacopo Maxima #623-2098
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
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 #623-2102
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
Savinelli Punto Oro #821277CO (SOLD)
Shape 611KS.  It's a Grp. 6 size.  The cond. is very good, with
the significant exception of deep tooth marks on the bottom of
the stem and less deep marks on the top of the stem.  The
marks do not, however, compromise the stem's solidity. Further,
the pipe has entertained aromatic tobacco.  I think I can get
most of that ghost to disappear with a salt treatment.  Used.
5.6" long, bowl 2" tall.  Weight: 1.5 oz., 45 grams. $35.
Castello Old Antiquari G #623-1193
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. $395
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. $425.
Savinelli Autograph G #1123128TT
Probably a Grp. 7 size, if there were one.  i can, of course, get
my thumb into the chamber.  The cond. is exc., and I am confi-
dent that I can polish away that film of carbon on the inside of
the chamber rim.  The draw is open, but it would be, wouldn't it,
with a tenon diameter large enough to take a 6mm balsa filter?
Dig the nice ring grain blast, no doubt an important factor in
getting the pipe to the rarified status of an Autograph.  Used.
6.5" long, bowl 2.1" tall.  Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams. $75.
L'Anatra One Egg 42494AC
Grp. 6 size in exc. cond. & with wide-open draw and the old
stand-up duck head.  With a few more smokes, the cross grain
& Bird's Eye will start popping out of this light-stained, top-grade
-briar pipe.  Acrylic stem.  Used.
5.9" long, bowl 2.2" tall.  Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams. $195.
Il Ceppo #623-161JJ
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. $215
Il Ceppo Grade 5 #623-149JJ
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. $345.
Castello 4K Trademark #821-203
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. $295
Baldo Baldi #1123166 (SOLD 3/15/19)
There are some slight scratches on the bowl, due to years of
sitting in my drawer.  It's a large pipe, the chamber of which I
can fit my thumb into.  The design elements don't come through
too well in my miserable photographs, but put the pipe in your
hand and you'll see and feel them.  New.
5.9" long, bowl 2.2" tall.  Weight: 3 oz., 85 grams. $875.
Il Ceppo 4 #21067
Retail is interesting, which is a kinder way of saying it is often
frustrating and vexing.  That customers have minds of their own is
a good thing...I'm glad of it.  But it is also part of my job to figure
out what it is that the customer wants and get it for him...in this
regard I'm a little weak.  An example of that are the Il Ceppo pipes
on this site.  They are priced at approx. wholesale, & regardless
of relative value, they have to be more appealing (or so I would
think) than a new brand with no history that sells at twice the
price.  Yet, they sit and sit.  The message has to be that people
do not want them, and they are most definitely entitled not to
want them...but I would like to know why because it's not quality,
price or brand history.  This Grp. 5 would retail @ $430.  New.
5.55" long, bowl 1.85" tall.  Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 50 grams. $225.
Radice Silk Cut #210114TT (SOLD 3/17/19)
the chamber is large enough for me to fit my thumb into and the
rim is crisp.  The chamber shows very little use.  The draw is
open.  In short, a pipe that is likely to deliver the kind of quality
smoke that top end Italian pipes typically do.  The size is more a
Grp. 6 than Grp. 5, but being a Squat Bulldog, it doesn't give an
initial impression of being large, but the bowl diameter clearly
brands it as a Grp. 6.  Used.
5.65" long, bowl 1.6" tall.  Weight: 2 oz., 56 grams. $85.
Castello Collection Fiammata #112356PH
Clearly, the real deal, going back to Carlo Scotti's time as
proprietor of the little factory.  Sure, there's a little carbon
residue on the plateau rim, but the pipe is in exc. cond.  And a
cleaner with a crimped tip goes right to the chamber bottom.
5.2" long, bowl 2.5" tall.  Weight: 2 58 oz., 73 grams. Used. $375
2017 Castello Perla Nera 2K #89255
Although this is only a 2K, that is because, according to Marco
Parascenzo, the Castello importer, Perla Neras are not graded
like other Castello pipes.  At any rate, this is a fairly large pipe
with a tall bowl (duh...I think you can see that) and would other-
wise be graded with a "G" or two.  As it is new and unsmoked,
what you see is what it is.  The draw is open.  New.
5.6" long, bowl 2.65" tall.  Weight: 1.75 oz., 50 grams. $525.
Savinelli Punto Oro #821102
I'm not a fan of Savinelli pipes, although I'll concede that, with
their buying power,  they probably have access to the best briar
in Italy.  I do, however, admire their classic shapes, and most
especially in sandblast finish.  This qualifies.  Shape 111KS,
meaning "King Size," meaning about Grp. 5.  It's in very good
condition, with some very minor tooth marks on the top of the
stem and even less significant chatter on the bottom.  The draw
is wide open, and I apologize for the hazy photo on the bottom...
don't blame the pipe for that.  The blurry side actually has a
better blast than the other side.  Used.
5.7" long, bowl 1.9" tall.  Weight: 1.5 oz., 42 grams. $75.
Il Duca 3D Barone Morta #1123295AC
Handsome Grp 4 size Bulldog.  I imagine that it's not easy to
carve Morta and so most of the shapes I see are rather less
ambitious in shape than is this pipe.  The draw is open & the
condition is near-new.  Used.
4.8" long, bowl 1.85" tall.  Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 45 grams. $225.
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
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 #108-313
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.
Grenci #623275AG (SOLD 8/17/18)
Terrific straight grain, even for a Grenci, and also small, for a
Grenci, being Grp. 4 size.  BTW, the stem isn't black, but rather
a dark, marbled gray.  It does have an open draw, but it does
not stand up on that flat, extended shank end.  There is some
carbon residue on the plateau rim, but the overall cond. is exc.
5.7" long, bowl 1.9" tall.  Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams. $145.
Mimmo Provenzano #122401JJ (SOLD)
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.
Savinelli Autograph 4 #89148CO
At the risk of over-repitition, let me ask...if Savinelli & Castello
feel comfortable in not coating the chambers of their best pipes,
what excuses from pipe makers can bear scrutiny.  This
is a Grp. 6 in size, with a light stain, a sign of clean wood.  Acrylic
stem.  My thumb fits into the chamber.  Unsmoked.  
5.55" long, bowl 1.9" tall.  Weight:  2 3/8 oz., 66 grams.   $225.
Castello 4K Sea Rock Briar with Pi #108-278
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.
Ser Jacopo gepetto #82148TT (SOLD)
This pipe is in near-new condition, having been barely smoked.
The draw is open and a cleaner goes easily to the bottom of the
chamber.  It's large, a Grp. 6 size.  Used.
5.9" long, bowl 2" tall.  Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 75 grams. $60.
Castello Old Sea Rock Briar #82119 (SOLD 8/31/18)
Not only is this an early enough production to have the shape #
stamped on it, but it also has a Reg. #.  No Ks, but an SK, which
puts it from the late 50's to the mid 1960's.  (I think.)  It's large
enough to earn a "G" today and the draw is open.  There are two
negligible tooth marks on the stem...I can probably remove them.
5.7" long, bowl 2" tall.  Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 61 grams. Used. $165.
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 1112-011
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.  $125.
Ser Jacopo Renaissance #82106 (RESERVED)
Just one little blemish and the price of a used pipe plummets, to
the pain & detriment of the seller.  In this instance, it's the lousy
little red stem logo that old Ser Jacopo pipes had.  Well, the
"Renaissance" is an old grade and the loss is understandable.
It's only cosmetic (and barely that) but it will give you an oppor-
tunity to snag a good pipe at a great price.  It's large, at least
Grp. 6 size.  The rim is crisp & the stem is mark-free.  The blast
is curtain-like, and handsome.  This is from good, old briar.
6 1/8 " long, bowl 2.1" tall.  Weight: 2 oz., 55 grams. $65.
Castello "Castello" 4K #424196LW
What I find astounding about this pipe is the fact that it easily
takes a pipe cleaner to the bottom of the chamber despite a
steep and severe bend.  That might suggest another fact about
this older, Carlo Scotti, piece...it has a wide-open draw/  The
cond. is very good, or even excellent if you can forgive a touch
of carbon residue on the rim.  If the grain on one side of the
bowl matched the Bird's Eye on the other side, we'd have an
Occhio di Pernice.  It's a Grp. 6 size.  Used.
4.3" long, bowl 2.5" tall.  Weight: 2 oz., 57 grams. $250.
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 #89-30249
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
Radice Rind #227126  (SOLD)
Grp 6 size in exc. cond., with the rim clean & crisp and no marks
on the stem.  The chamber is large enough to take my thumb if
I squeeze it in a little.  Despite being acrylic, the stem is flat
enough to make this comfortable hanging from the jaw.  
Used.4.75" long, bowl 2" tall.  Weight: 2 oz., 57 grams. $85.
Castello 3K Sea Rock Briar 108-15
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 Sea Rock Briar Shape 74 #424221LW
Tooth marks, not deep at all, on the top and bottom of the old
U.S. stem are all that keep this pipe from being in exc. cond.  The
draw is open and the inner rim of the chamber is crisp.  The
shape, 74F, is stamped on the bottom of the shank, but no "Ks".
Has anyone managed to date Castello by the use of "Sea Rock
Briar," "Old Sea Rock" and any other iterations they've used to
label this finish?  Used.
5.8" long, bowl 2.65" tall.  Weight; 1 7/8 oz., 53 grams. $150.
Ser Jacopo Rowlette Maxima #925085
I was just reminded by an old time, very knowledgeable pipe
friend that "Rowlette" as a designation comes from the request
of Mark Clark, of Rowlette, TX, to have Ser Jacopo please make
a less expension version of the Castello Epoca.   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 3725082
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 #210-060
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 #210-462
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.
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
Radice Clear G #82127  (SOLD 8/28/18)
This fairly large (Grp. 6 size) curved Bulldog is in exc. cond., but
it appears to have a replacement stem, although this new stem is
also acrylic and perfectly fine and except for the missing logo,
indistinguishable from an original.  The draw is open.  Used.
5.9" long, bowl 1.75" tall.  Weight: 2.25 oz., 64 grams. $65.
Il Ceppo Grade 1 #21091
Is there a dearth of straight Bulldogs?  Mostly I see the bent
variety.  This is fairly large...a Grp. 6 size, with acrylic stem & a
wide-open draw.  New
6" long, bowl 2" tall.  Weight: 2.25 oz., 63 grams. $145.
Castello 3K Natural Vergin #90249  (SOLD)
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
2012 Castello Occhio di Pernice #8946CO
A comfortable Grp. 5 in size, with, I believe, one K to its name.
other than that, what can I say about a new Castello?  The draw
is wide-open, the bowl is not messed up with black stuff, the
Bird's Eye & cross grain speak for themselves.  What I can do,
in concert with the person consigning this pipe, is offer it at a
very handsome, to you, price.  
5.6" long, bowl 1.95" tall.  Weight: 1.5 oz., 45 grams. $510.
 
Il Duca D Barone Morta #1112-11FT
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.
2016 Castello 4K "Castello" #89249
Interesting treatment in what was pretty clearly an attempt to
save the pipe from a fate that would otherwise have been
determined by a cosmetically compromised shank.  In true
Castello hubris, rather than being grateful for the 'save' and
calling this an Old Antiquari, they bumped it up a price range to
the "Castello" level.  Grp. 6 or larger in size with large bowl. New
5.5" long, bowl 2" tall.  Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. $475
Castello G Sea Rock Briar #425-093
Not a common Castello shape, with additional unusual touches
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.
1989 Castello Great Line Collection #11777AG (SOLD)
Besides all the quality features you would expect are built into a
Great Line Collection, this pipe brings a beautifully manage-
open and the condition is excellent.  Usual acrylic stem.  Used.
5.75" long, bowl 2" tall.  Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 39 grams. $325.
Il Duca Barone Morta #424160AG (SOLD 2/22/19)
Grp. 4 size bowl & chamber, but it is a short pipe, just shy of a
stubby.  The cond. is excellent, if not "near new."  The draw is
wide-open with the air hole right on the bottom of the chamber.
4.9" long, bowl 1.6" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 37 grams. Used. $150
Il Ceppo Grade 4 #21072 (SOLD 3/16/19)
With briar clean enough to be left essentially unstained and a
wide-open draw, This Grp. 6 beauty, with lots of tight grain,
deserves to be scooped up and given a good home.  New.
5.9" long, bowl 2.1" tall.  Weight: 2 0z., 55 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.
2017 Castello 2K "Castello" #89265 (SOLD 3/17/19)
I grabbed this off the Castello table at the trade show because it
has that old jutted jaw the 55s are famous for.  It also has good
grain for its simple 2K grading.  The draw is wide-open and I can
fit my thumb into the chamber, so it will give a good, long smoke
4.9" long, bowl 1.5" tall.  Weight: 1.5 oz., 41 grams. $475.
L'Anatra #21088TT (SOLD 2/27/19)
Grp 6 size, with a true bone shank trim.  The pipe is quite crisp,
but the duck logo that should be protruding from the stem is
missing.  The chamber may, or may not, be unsmoked, but
there is no tobacco aroma and the mortise looks virginal.  Nor
does the stem button show any signs of use.  
5.6" long, bowl 1.9" tall.  Weight: 2.5 oz., 71 grams.  $60.
Baldo Baldi #82143
Rather spectacular.  The grain quality you can see, so I don't
need to expound on that.  The size is less easy to detect so here
goes...see how thick the bowl walls are?  Well, despite that,
my thumb easily fits into the chamber.  There are some light
scratches on the surface of the bowl, and someone must have
been testing it out, without lighting it, because there's a tooth
indent on the top of the stem.The drawer is open. New.
6 1/8" long, bowl 2.7" tall.  Weight: 4 7/8 oz., 137 grams. $2250.
Ardor Mercurio #42479AC
Not only is it large enough for the chamber to take my thumb, &
to have an open draw and be in exc. cond., less one spot on
the inner rim, but it is a 7 sided Panel, which I do not believe I
have encountered in my 41 years in the hobby.  Used.
6" long, bowl 2" tall.  Weight: 1.75 oz., 48 grams. $295
Mastro de Paja Unica #82332TT
Among the pipes I see rarely, long shanks must be at the top of
the list.  Cutting quickly to the crux, the shank here is 5.25" long.
To show that it is not a spliced shank, Mastro made the top of
the shank smooth.  Hence, it is a Unica, a rare Mastro grade.
On top of that, the cond. is near-new.  The draw is open. Used.
8 5/8" long, bowl 1.95" tall.  Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 53 grams. $250.
Mastro Beraldi #112366JJ
Among the last of this brand's releases.  After many, many
years of pipe making, the senior Pierluigi retired and his son
took off with his wife to her home country of Cuba (don't ask me
why).  We hope to see him back in the profession as he was a
very good pipe maker.  The construction is great and thus the
draw is wide-open and despite the bend, a cleaner goes right
to the bottom of the chamber with a mere twist. New.
5.75" long, bowl 2" tall.  Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams. $65.
Il Ceppo #1123161JJ
Does any pipe maker match the Il Ceppo sandblasts for con-
sistently deep and character-laden blasts?  No.  This easy to
hold bent Apple fits the description.  It's a Grp. 5, with near-
perfect (nothing's perfect) construction, the air hole being right
on the bottom of the chamber.  New.
5.75" long, bowl 1.75" tall.  Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. $145.
Savinelli Non Pareil #210151 (SOLD 3/20/19)
When they want to, Savinelli can put out sandblasts that rival
anyone's.  This piece illustrates that.  The condition is basically
exc., with a 'line' on the bottom of the stem that barely qualifies
as a tooth mark. The draw is open.  The rim is clean .  Used.
4.4" long, bowl 2.3" tall.  Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 67 grams. $60.
Savinelli Non-Pareil #21062  (SOLD 2/20/19)
Grp. 5 size, with a handsome, ring grain blast circling the bowl.  
Rim & chamber are in fine cond., but there are tooth indents on
the top & bottom of the stem.  Drat!  The marks are not deep,
but they're not negligible, either.  On the plus side, the stem is
flat and comfortable & if you're not a biter, there's no reason  to
think they'll get any worse.  The draw is open.  Used.
5.95" long, bowl 2" tall.  Weight: 1.5 oz., 42 grams. $35.