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Post by taiguy66 on Oct 23, 2020 11:12:22 GMT -5
First of all thanks to Paddy for suggesting this. Being a newbie to the pipe world I’m curious about pipes in general. My question is this:
1. looking at on line auctions etc I’ve noticed a big discrepancy when it comes to Dunhill pipes new or estate sales. What is it about them that commands such a high price point? Yes, they’re beautiful, sleek, elegant and I’d love to own one but just don’t know enough about them; and
2. when looking at on line auctions, what exactly am I looking for? In other words what determines a diamond in the rough? I have a particular type of pipe that appeals to me (billiard style) and currently own a Vauen, Peterson’s Dublin Castle1977 Smooth Canadian, a Ronaldo and recently purchased an Aldo Velani (yes I’ve jumped right into the deep end). So far I’m happy with these purchases based on price but there must be other factors to consider.
I thank you in advance and look forward to incoming comments, suggestions etc.
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Post by sperrytops on Oct 23, 2020 11:50:01 GMT -5
I haven't purchased pipes on auction sites, so am no expert here. Just too afraid to take the chance . I stay away from eBay pipes especially, but I know a number of members hav had good luck there. I watched a video on youtube about how to select pipes on eBay or other auction sites.
1. Clear stamp to verify authenticity
2. Make sure it does not have a replacement stem. If you're collecting for value, that's a definite downer
3. Most used pipes for sale have had some reaming to clear out the bowl. Make sure the reaming has not gone too far and cut into the bowl, and is symmetrical. If the bowl has fresh stain in it, well, look closer. It might be hiding something
4. Ensure it has not been refinished, other than perhaps a waxing
5. Make sure the shape has not been altered to remove some damage
Final rule, buy from a reliable pipe dealer. There are many 'antique' shops selling whatever they come across with some superficial repairs that are generally unacceptable. Take the time to find out who the reliable auction pipe dealers are. The good ones also have reasonable return policies. You might pay a little more but will be much more satisfied with what you get.
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Post by Ronv69 on Oct 23, 2020 11:58:13 GMT -5
This ^^^^. It's complicated. I trust PipeStud and Shiney Pipes on eBay.
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Post by sperrytops on Oct 23, 2020 12:30:03 GMT -5
This ^^^^. It's complicated. I trust PipeStud and Shiney Pipes on eBay. Not being familiar with eBay pipes, I will definitely check those two out. |
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Post by lizardonarock on Oct 23, 2020 14:02:09 GMT -5
Marty Pulvers
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Post by peteguy on Oct 23, 2020 14:27:08 GMT -5
Shiny Pipes has some history with photo editing and poor return policy. I would avoid them but do your research and make the decision yourself. Look for auctions with good photos, good descriptions and a good return policy. With all those in place you shouldn't be concerned about buying from ebay. Most sellers cannot verify where pipes come from, the history, how they were smoked, etc. so the above qualifications help you avoid some repaired, hidden, altered, etc. pipes.
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Post by taiguy66 on Oct 23, 2020 15:20:09 GMT -5
Gentlemen, thank you all for your suggestions, great stuff indeed! My take away from all this is to do your homework and ask questions (which is what I’m doing). Having said that my first question still remains: what is it about Dunhill that they can command upwards to 3K (saw that on one auction, don’t recall type of pipe) and perhaps more for a pipe? Stamping is one thing but unless it comes with a genie (hoping Barbara Eden in her younger yrs) I can’t pull the trigger. Maybe it’s the name etc but surely there has to be more. Thoughts? Comments? Thank you.......
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Post by sperrytops on Oct 23, 2020 15:25:06 GMT -5
If I recall correctly the Dunhill $3k pipes are limited editions of some kind. Christmas pipes, Themed pipes, Namiki Japanese Lacquer finish, etc. Smokingpipes.com carries a pretty good selection of Dunhill's, including the limited editions, if you want to take a look.
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Post by Legend Lover on Oct 23, 2020 15:38:16 GMT -5
Gentlemen, thank you all for your suggestions, great stuff indeed! My take away from all this is to do your homework and ask questions (which is what I’m doing). Having said that my first question still remains: what is it about Dunhill that they can command upwards to 3K (saw that on one auction, don’t recall type of pipe) and perhaps more for a pipe? Stamping is one thing but unless it comes with a genie (hoping Barbara Eden in her younger yrs) I can’t pull the trigger. Maybe it’s the name etc but surely there has to be more. Thoughts? Comments? Thank you....... I think they've got a name for themselves. That's it. They are a decent pipe, but I think the majority of the money you pay is simply for the name. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Oct 23, 2020 17:03:47 GMT -5
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calabash
Full Member
Posts: 560
Favorite Pipe: Baki meerschaum, 1972 Dunhill
Favorite Tobacco: C & D Yorktown, Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake, Gawith St James Flake
Location:
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Post by calabash on Oct 23, 2020 17:18:01 GMT -5
I almost placed a bid, but don't want to stand in your way.
Mazel tov!
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Post by sperrytops on Oct 23, 2020 17:58:00 GMT -5
I could trade in my Ferrari and get that.
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Post by Legend Lover on Oct 23, 2020 18:02:50 GMT -5
It's a bit cheap.
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Post by Ronv69 on Oct 23, 2020 18:09:31 GMT -5
I almost placed a bid, but don't want to stand in your way.
Mazel tov!
Go ahead. I'm over my pipe budget for this lifetime. |
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,910 
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
Location:
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Post by chasingembers on Oct 24, 2020 0:53:48 GMT -5
First of all thanks to Paddy for suggesting this. Being a newbie to the pipe world I’m curious about pipes in general. My question is this: 1. What is it about them that commands such a high price point? Yes, they’re beautiful, sleek, elegant and I’d love to own one but just don’t know enough about them Name only. I've owned five, never paid more than $150 for any of them, and was very disappointed overall with their drilling. Out of the five, three straight billiards, a zulu, and a full bent magnum, only the full bent could pass a pipe cleaner. Keep your eyes open for mislabeling. This one was listed as "Dunhull" and I got a new yard work pipe for $20.  |
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,910
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
Location:
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Post by chasingembers on Oct 24, 2020 0:56:03 GMT -5
This one went for $3.5 million.  ![]() |
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BrunoT
Junior Member
Looking forward to the next bowl
Posts: 294
First Name: Bruno
Favorite Pipe: Ser Jacopos, Canadians, Dunhill
Favorite Tobacco: My Own Blend Everest
Location:
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Post by BrunoT on Oct 24, 2020 5:57:23 GMT -5
My advice is to stay away from auctions. While it's thrilling, I've yet to have won an auction where I felt good about what I paid. Apparently, there's always somebody who's willing to throw bigger bucks at it than I think the item demands, but at that point, I'm already invested enough to match that just for the sake of it! Maybe it's different for others when it comes to self-control...
I own 14 Dunhills, since it was my early goal to collect a century of Dunhill pipes and have a piece from each decade, starting in the 20s. I've got all of them by researching reputable sellers and negotiating; usually looking for well-maintained collections and buying multiples, getting a better price on each one doing so. I've also kept a lookout on experienced sellers who allowed offers on their auctions early and cut the competition by offering to buy it immediately at about $20-50 more than I'd expect the market price to be: while I paid a bit more, I knew from experience that if the auction continued the price would go way higher. The appeal of immediate payout works more often than it doesn't.
Of course, my situation was that I wanted specific pipes in specific finishes, not whatever which had that year on it so I budgeted a considerable sum for it. Most I paid was 350 dollars before import fees (US-based seller) for a 1926 Shell Briar in pristine condition, with the rest it was usually about $200. Perry already mentioned all the important things to look out for.
Often times, you'll find amazing looking old pieces, but they had so much work done on them that it begs the question if is the same pipe. A decent seller will tell you this and set the price accordingly: if it's too good to be true, the old adage applies. In the same fashion, you will find overpriced half-destroyed bullshit, mostly in antique shops. I specifically avoided what I'd call reasonably priced "attic finds" because they tend to be ghosted or gunked up beyond help.
As for a reason why to buy Dunhill, the brand always appealed to me, mostly historically. It's now a luxury brand like any other, you pay for the name. It's not like their pipes are ambrosia and I have better ones in my collection. But I don't regret having them in my collection as the quintessential, albeit not always the greatest of English pipes. At the end of the day, if you want it, go get it.. but don't feel like you should. I'll take a Ser Jacopo over a new Dunhill any day, but I do love my Dunhills.
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Post by Ronv69 on Oct 24, 2020 22:37:47 GMT -5
I never bought a Dunhill. The one I have was given to me by a very good friend who was a member of a long gone forum for my birthday. It's a 1950 model that I will never sell.
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Post by just ol ed on Oct 25, 2020 2:49:39 GMT -5
over many years, have had fair share of Dunhills & Castellos. IMO, price points (depending on grade), similar. One Dunhill left, 1980 special shape for World Conference, replacement Lucite stem. I prefer Castello for 2 reasons. 1. More open draw, 2. Lucite stem (will not be bothered with cleaning up vulcanite. Lazy...at my age, a waste of time/effort
Ed Duncan, Batavia, NY
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Post by pappyjoe on Oct 25, 2020 8:18:07 GMT -5
At one point, Dunhill pipes were considered the highest quality pipe produced and as such, it was the pipe every gentleman should aspire to owning - much like owning a Rolex or a Rolls-Royce. In my limited experience with Dunhills, the older ones made before 1970 are higher quality than the ones made since then. I currently have a rare 1926 Bruyere 151(Innertube, Patent) that is a beautiful pipe and perfectly drilled. It is one of my best smoking pipes. I also had a 1976 Dunhill Red Bark that I sold because I didn't like the way it smoked. The drilling on it was perfect but there was something about it I just didn't like.
As a friend once told me, a pipe is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
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Post by lizardonarock on Oct 25, 2020 22:36:45 GMT -5
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Post by trailboss on Oct 26, 2020 0:00:05 GMT -5
That must have sold quite awhile back, Bear Graves left some years ago. I wish they showed the prices on archived pipes. |
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,910
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
Location:
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Post by chasingembers on Oct 26, 2020 1:41:13 GMT -5
That must have sold quite awhile back, Bear Graves left some years ago. I wish they showed the prices on archived pipes. Yeah. He left around 2015 for health issues. That bulldog photo is from 2010.👍 |
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Post by lizardonarock on Oct 26, 2020 19:08:38 GMT -5
Ah the plot thickens.
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