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1-2-3 Sold! Recent Pipe-Auction Action: Difference between revisions
1-2-3 Sold! Recent Pipe-Auction Action (view source)
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I wrote “Where’s The Real Pipe Action? I Say It’s At The Auction Block!” for ''Pipes and Tobaccos''’ Web Extras (now defunct) that can now be read at pipedia.org. Although I gave up collecting pipes a handful of years ago, I still follow the auction scene, so this, another tobacco tell-all, is what’s been happening these past few years. | I wrote “Where’s The Real Pipe Action? I Say It’s At The Auction Block!” for ''Pipes and Tobaccos''’ Web Extras (now defunct) that can now be read at pipedia.org. Although I gave up collecting pipes a handful of years ago, I still follow the auction scene, so this, another tobacco tell-all, is what’s been happening these past few years. | ||
[[File:Rapaport-Pipe-Auctions-1-.jpg|thumb|500px|Questionable Cheroot Holder]]First, a bit of cautionary bidding advice from Jason Harris (“Piping Hot: History of Tobacco Pipes”): “Remember to look at the condition of the piece, take note of its origins, material, age, and authenticity if one wishes to avoid burning money on an item that is not what it presents itself to be.” One recent auction experience with condition should suffice to support his assertion. In March 2023, this antique meerschaum cheroot holder was in an online Templum Fine Arts auction in Barcelona, Spain: “LOS 403: Rara y Excepcional Pipa en Espuma de Mar y boquilla en Ámbar Representando a la Diosa Cibeles, siglo XIX” (Rare and Exceptional Sea Foam Pipe and Amber Mouthpiece Representing the Goddess Cibeles, 19th century). Cybele was a Greek goddess often depicted riding a chariot drawn by two lions. Interestingly, the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid has a monument—the Cibeles fountain—dedicated to her, so this pipe has an interesting provenance. The House estimate was 4,500–5,000 Euros (c. $4,845–$5,400), but no condition report was included. | [[File:Rapaport-Pipe-Auctions-1-.jpg|thumb|500px|Questionable Cheroot Holder]]First, a bit of cautionary bidding advice from Jason Harris (“Piping Hot: History of Tobacco Pipes”): “Remember to look at the condition of the piece, take note of its origins, material, age, and authenticity if one wishes to avoid burning money on an item that is not what it presents itself to be.” One recent auction experience with an issue of condition should suffice to support his assertion. In March 2023, this antique meerschaum cheroot holder was in an online Templum Fine Arts auction in Barcelona, Spain: “LOS 403: Rara y Excepcional Pipa en Espuma de Mar y boquilla en Ámbar Representando a la Diosa Cibeles, siglo XIX” (Rare and Exceptional Sea Foam Pipe and Amber Mouthpiece Representing the Goddess Cibeles, 19th century). Cybele was a Greek goddess often depicted riding a chariot drawn by two lions. Interestingly, the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid has a monument—the Cibeles fountain—dedicated to her, so this pipe has an interesting provenance. The House estimate was 4,500–5,000 Euros (c. $4,845–$5,400), but no condition report was included. | ||
Its motif and size appealed to several of my pipe-collector friends. While the bidding was heating up, I asked the House for a condition report and advised that it needed to change the description from pipe to cheroot holder. This was the response from the auction Director, Carlos Viñas: “No makers [sic] name. Please find attached additional pictures. Pipe has some restoration areas, glued in the middle (amber is in good condition), need some repairs and overpaint.” So much for truth in advertising. I informed my friends, and they withdrew their bids. Nevertheless, the holder sold at 2,500 Euros plus a 25% buyer’s premium or $3,350. | Its motif and size appealed to several of my pipe-collector friends. While the bidding was heating up, I asked the House for a condition report and also advised that it needed to change the description from pipe to cheroot holder. This was the response from the auction Director, Carlos Viñas: “No makers [sic] name. Please find attached additional pictures. Pipe has some restoration areas, glued in the middle (amber is in good condition), need some repairs and overpaint.” So much for truth in advertising. I informed my friends, and they withdrew their bids. Nevertheless, the holder sold at 2,500 Euros plus a 25% buyer’s premium or $3,350. | ||
What follows is a series of pipes at public auctions held within the last five to ten years. For a balanced report, I present an amalgam of pipes from today and yesterday. Some may be worthy of their realized prices … depending on your perspective. I can judge whether the realized prices for the antique pipes were reasonable, but I will not comment on the prudence of spending this kind of money on any of the briar pipes I have included. As to the sequence, I wanted to present the pipes in chronological order and by medium, but I was not always successful. | What follows is a series of pipes at public auctions held within the last five to ten years. For a balanced report, I present an amalgam of pipes from today and yesterday. Some may be worthy of their realized prices … depending on your perspective. I can judge whether the realized prices for the antique pipes were reasonable, but I will not comment on the prudence of spending this kind of money on any of the briar pipes I have included. As to the sequence, I wanted to present the pipes in chronological order and by medium, but I was not always successful. | ||