Gothic? You make the call...

Interesting. Can we see a wide shot of the pipe?

I spent awhile looking around earlier and like william , I too found nothing.   

trailboss

The Case of the Curious Calabash

My Dear Watson Charles,

I have given considerable thought to the small mystery you have raised. It may, indeed, be a two pipe problem (or possibly three or four as I have already consumed one bowl of the finest Virginia while contemplating this). Since it is my business to know what other people don't know, I will focus my attention on this trifling issue.

You may not be aware that many years ago I penned a small monograph partly on the gothic tradition (actually on the influence of a particular strain of the novel dubbed "gothic" on the mainstream British novel). At any rate, the stamp "Gothic" on your pipe intrigued me. I have developed a working hypothesis which I will share with you. As you know, once you have eliminated the probable, whatever is left, however improbable, must be the truth.

The term "gothic" is generally used to refer to the Germanic people who nibbled away at the northern edges of the Roman empire with catastrophic consequences--at least for the Romans. They were deemed "barbarians" (although they were not), but their influence persists. The term "gothic" is generally used to distinguish something from "classic." And this distinction cuts across numerous lines of human endeavor. In architecture, gothic refers to a wilder, undisciplined style that leans toward the overly-ornate. Think of the straight lines of the classical Parthenon compared to the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Same thing in music. Contrast the predictable, measured cadences of a Bach composition to the wild ups and downs of Beethoven.

In the pipe world, a straight billliard would be a classical design. I would imagine your pipe to be highly stylized--possibly a recognizable base (you mention "acorn") that is ornamented to excess featuring functional extravagence. For example, the hinge on the bowl suggests to me a lid--a functional lid. As you know it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. I will, however, offer some linguistic observations while I wait with eager anticipation the posting of your images of this creation in its entirety tonight.

It is common to equate gothic script with the Germans (and possibly rightfully so), but its use was far more extensive, especially across northern Europe. It is based on an older script called "Fraktur." I offer a snippet here of the Fraktur alphabet:





Note that the lower case letters are a close match to the stampings on your pipe. Notice the "foot" on the letter "t," and the forward stroke on the lower part of the letter "o." The upper case "G" is close. But calligraphers often took liberties with upper case letters, especially if they appear at the start of a chapter. So extra swirls and liberties can be expected there.

I would surmise that your pipe was made in the Alsace-Lorraine region which has long been contested by both German and French. My grandfather's family with a very German sounding name (Steiner) came from there. They were very French.

As an aside, I would mention that the Nazi's banned the use of Gothic script during WWII. Maybe this was a French pipe maker's way of extending his middle digit to the Germans. But I would not be surprised if some pipe-savvy person identifies your pipe as being a product of this region, possibly from the 1940's.

At any rate--you know my method. It is founded upon the observation of trifles. That said, O how I do love a small mystery. Thanks for posting this.

I remain, your faithful servant,

Holmes William

I looked at it blown up on the PC and I "see" Gothic, but when I examine the letters closely, I don't know why.

Your experience mirrors mine.

William, thank you for the well written thesis, that was an enjoyable read... your conclusion sounds more possible than anything I have yet considered. The gal I bought it from, I think it was $10- $15.... said that it belonged to her old uncle that had passed many years prior.

Interesting. Can we see a wide shot of the pipe?

@chico --yes I did.  I'm sure you will understand that I wish to remain anonymous on a public forum.  But I have a Ph.D. in British Literature, and spent my life (up until my fairly recent retirement) as a professor at a state university.  I am an old-fashioned literary historian with a particular interest in the history of ideas, as reflected in the novel--not really interested in poetry or drama--just the mix of ideas floating around.  So everything I said in my long, rambling earlier post is true.  I was just trying to have a little fun with Charlie by playing the role of Sherlock Holmes.  In fact, many of the lines in my post were from the Holmes canon.  I'm certain I have gone to a lot of trouble to only regret it later.