Stanwell experts, guru's and fans

Try doing an image search for Stanwell Queen. For some reason SP.com prices appear there whereas they do not if you search ‘all’ or on the site. I looked at a couple estate Stanwell Queen Freehands; one sold for $110 and the other for $185.

www.google.com/search?q=stanwell+queen&rlz=1C9BKJA_enCA618CA619&hl=en-US&prmd=inmv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiCuLO3ydnnAhWH4J4KHYLqCvYQ_AUoAXoECA0QAQ&biw=1024&bih=659

The older Stanwell pipes have lower shape numbers and will say hand cut. The Queen is probably later than the 70s. That is what I am thinking so a grain of salt as they say.

Nicest Stanwell I have ever seen. It seems high end for Stanwell, that is what has me thrown off.

Hi
I own several Stanwell freehands.

The chess series are not the first Stanwell freehands produced. One clear difference, outside the stamping, is the stem. The other Stanwell freehand pipes have Ebonite stems while the chess series features acrylic stems with the S and crown sideways on top (the others have the S and crown on the side). I find, among my collection that overall the chess series appears to be better executed and finished, possibly indicating a higher end series.


I believe the grading ran Rook, Bishop. Queen and King (Highest grade). However I am not sure if the order listed in the pipedia statement below is just a list or indicates the actual ranking from lowest to highest.



From pipedia
Chess Series:

This series is comprised of the Rook, Queen, King and Bishop. The production of the Chess series was originally overseen by Johann Larsen. This job is now being done by Poul Winslow.

PS I bought a Stanwell Queen bowl (no stem) a while back. The seller claimed to pay ~160 dollars for it new. The stem was lost years ago.

Is this a pipe you're buying?  I'm not sure about that stem being original to the pipe.  Gorgeous piece of tobacciana furniture, though! 

I own around 15-20 Stanwell freehands (Five from the chess line) and the stems match my description. However I would not doubt exceptions are there to be found. Among the Reg. stamped freehands. I have a few that are excellent pipes of high grade and finish. However looking at the collection overall and years of watching them on eBay, I would say that the chess series execution appears to be a notch above (My comments were meant to be taken in a general way, that is why I previously and currently use the term overall.). The differences probably lie in the particular line of the older Stanwell freehands and/or the range of variation that might exist in a given line (Indeed more research is necessary 😁). I also have a few Stanwell freehands that do not match either Reg. or the Chess series stamping (One is a beauty with a signature).

In summary, my comments are a reflection of what I have seen and own. No doubt differences are there and other perspectives are truly appreciated and helpful.

I also agree the stem on the pipe pictured looks like a replacement.

PS By freehands I believe we are both referring to the pipes that have the general appearance of the one pictured and are not mass duplicates like most Stanwells.

Anyone know the years when thee Stanwell Danish Stars were produced?

That's a question I'm looking for an answer to. I know Sixteen Ivarsson created a number of shapes for Stanwell starting in the late 1940s after World War II ended. I also believe that his cooperation with Stanwell supposedly lasted for decades but I haven't found anything to confirm the belief.

I'm curious about the Danish Star line because Tom Eltang also created shapes that were used for it and he didn't come along until the 1990s. 

Thank you "q". I am going to list it on the auction site. If anyone has any interest pm here and I will deal with you directly. I dont want this to turn into a for sale thread so lets keep it in pm.

In a former life I was a tobacconist. The Stanwell Chess series came out in the late '90's and (if I remember correctly) the Queen retailed for around $125.