23,116
edits
Barling: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
== The periods == | == The periods == | ||
[[Image:Barling_pre_dublin.jpg|thumb|200px|Pre-trans Dublin, [http://smokingpipes.com Smokingpipes.com]]]Barling has gone through three distinct periods, which dramatically effect collectability of the pipes. These are referred to as the | [[Image:Barling_pre_dublin.jpg|thumb|200px|Pre-trans Dublin, [http://smokingpipes.com Smokingpipes.com]]]According to current scholarship, the Barling has gone through three distinct periods, which dramatically effect collectability of the pipes. These are referred to as the PreTransition, Transition, and Post Transition periods. The "Pre-Transition" pipes are highly sought after by collectors and have excellent smoking and aesthetic qualities. These pipes are famous for the "old wood" from which they were made.<br> | ||
Many of the early "Transition" pipes were made from Pre-Transition bowls, and by the same craftsman. Therefore, many of the early Transition pieces possess the same excellent qualities as the Pre-Transition pieces, yet, with the exceptions noted below, they are not easily identified from later Transition and Post Transition pieces, which | Many of the early "Transition" pipes were made from Pre-Transition bowls, and by the same craftsman. Therefore, many of the early Transition pieces possess the same excellent qualities as the Pre-Transition pieces, yet, with the exceptions noted below, they are not easily identified from later Transition and Post Transition pieces, which wereplagued by inferior materials and craftsmanship. While collectors do not prize the Transition pieces, some consider the early Transition pieces an excellent value. | ||
As will become clear in the section devoted to Barling catalogs, one subset of currently defined “Early Transition” pieces - those pipes stamped with an arched block “Barling’s” over “Make”, but also stamped with a four digit model number that begins with either a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 - can be easily distinguished from later Transition and Post Transition pipes. These pipes were made while Montague Barling was still president from the same stock and by the same craftsmen, as the currently defined “Pre-Transition” pipes. The later pipes all bear a script “Barling” logo with no apostrophe and no “s”. | |||
The literature is inconclusive on the exact dates of these periods. But the following is an attempt at reconciling the data. Much of the published material is anecdotal in nature. Most of the company’s archives were destroyed during WWII. | The late transition, and Post Transition pipes have had a rocky road at best, though recent Barlings have shown a return to quality just not at the same level as the family era. | ||
The current third party literature is inconclusive on the exact dates of these periods. But the following is an attempt at reconciling some the data. Much of the published material is anecdotal in nature. We will provide evidence in the form of hard copy and company materials whenever possible to support the suggestions that follow. Most of the company’s archives were destroyed during WWII. | |||
'''Catalogues''' | '''Catalogues''' | ||
[[File:Barling_Catalogue_Cover.jpg|thumb|200px|right|B. Barling & Sons catalogue of pipes - Printed by Unwin Brothers - The Gresham Press - date unknown but typography suggests the mid ‘teens to early 1920’s, Courtesy Jesse Silver]]R. C. Hacker states, incorrectly, that B. Barling and Sons issued no | [[File:Barling_Catalogue_Cover.jpg|thumb|200px|right|B. Barling & Sons catalogue of pipes - Printed by Unwin Brothers - The Gresham Press - date unknown but typography suggests the mid ‘teens to early 1920’s, Courtesy Jesse Silver]]R. C. Hacker states, incorrectly, that B. Barling and Sons issued no catalog prior to 1962. At least two earlier catalogs are known to exist. The preface for the B. Barling and Sons catalog is now included on this page as is a scan of the cover. In addition, Barling issued a brochure illustrating their various lines of pipes in 1957. - | ||
http://yeoldebriars.com/barling018.html<br> | |||
'''NOTE:''' ''This site is Japanese and we suggest that it be accessed using Google’s translator. There is a wealth of information therein contained. In addition, the unintentional howlers created by the translator will provide a great deal of amusement.'' | |||
Several pages from the 1957 Sales Brochure: | Several pages from the 1957 Sales Brochure: | ||
<Gallery> | <Gallery> | ||
| Line 55: | Line 58: | ||
</Gallery> | </Gallery> | ||
The Pre-Transition catalogue includes model numbers for all illustrated pipes. The model numbers are 1 digit, 2 digits, 2 digits plus a letter, 3 digits, and 3 digits plus a letter. Cased sets are given the appellation “Special” and are assigned a 4 digit model number, beginning with a 1. Different sizes of the same shape are given unique model numbers that are not | The Pre-Transition catalogue includes model numbers for all illustrated pipes. The model numbers are 1 digit, 2 digits, 2 digits plus a letter, 3 digits, and 3 digits plus a letter. Cased sets are given the appellation “Special” and are assigned a 4 digit model number, beginning with a 1. Different sizes of the same shape are given unique model numbers that are not related. Also of interest, all of the models have a name. For example, model 6, which is a small ¼ bent billiard, is entitled “The Nymph” and the model 303, which is a larger ¼ bent silver spigot billiard is entitled “The Corinthian”. All illustrated pipes have either a military bit, spigot, or sterling band.<br> | ||
The author here must confess to being amused at the idea of a dashing mustachioed officer of the Queen’s Regiment ordering a “Nymph”. | The author here must confess to being amused at the idea of a dashing mustachioed officer of the Queen’s Regiment ordering a “Nymph”. | ||
In 1962 the B. Barling and Sons Company issued not one, but TWO complete catalogs. The differences between these two catalogs are striking enough to warrant comment here because the contents address some of the varied myths that surround the brand. They may also provide a basis for altering the definition for what constitutes a Pre-Transition Barling and may also suggest a timeframe for the beginning of the “Transition” era that differs from what is currently accepted.<br> | |||
The earlier of these two Catalogs was published while Montague Barling was still president. It is mentioned in Hacker’s book, incorrectly, as the first Catalog published by the Barling Company and was published to mark their 150th anniversary. The copy that we have, and from which we have pulled pages for your examination, includes a price list dated June 1962. Thus we can fix a reliable timeframe for this catalog.<br> | |||
The 150th Anniversary catalog also includes a frontispiece that extols the accomplishments of the family over the reigns of 9 different British Monarchs. | |||
The 1st notable point is that the new model numbering system first appears in this catalog. The old SS thru EXEXEL size stamps are discarded and 4 digit numbers beginning with a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are used to define the size instead. It has been assumed that the successor company made this change. This change came about while the company was still led by Montague Barling.<br> | |||
The catalog contains a listing of grades. From bottom to top these grades are: standard, sandblast (referred to as “fossil” in the stampings), Guinea Grain, Ye Olde Wood Special, Straight Grain, and Presentation Straight Grain. None of the previously published material from third party sources mentions that there were TWO grades of straight grain! | |||
The 2nd notable point of the 150th Anniversary Catalog is that all of the pipes on display in its pages carry the traditional block arched “BARLING’S” over “MAKE”. The only exception to this is the Guinea Grain grade, which carries the script “Barling’s” logo. | |||
The catalog displays all of the available shapes with the new numbering system applied to the different sizes. But the actual stampings on the pipes pictured on the page don’t correspond to the new numbering system. The stampings reflect the old system, which used entirely unrelated numbers for pipes of the same pattern, but of different size. The company didn’t commission new photographs of all of their pipes with the new numbering system for this catalog.<br> | |||
And now we come to the 3rd notable point. Interspersed with these older photos are new ones, which contain pictures of pipes that have the block “Barling’s” over “Make” and a 4 digit number beginning with a 2,3,4,5, or 6, which corresponds to the new numbering system. For those who own a copy of this catalog, please look at the bottom of page 21, and page 45 for readable examples. Clearly these are all family era pipes, made with the famous old growth air cured Algerian briar stock selected years before by the experienced craftsmen of B. Barling and Sons. Model numbers consisting of 2 digit, 3 digit, 4 digit beginning with a 1 and four digit beginning with a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, are all pictured in the same catalog.<br> | |||
We suggest that all pipes should all be classified as Pre-Transition pipes provided that they have the Block Arched “Barling’s” over “Make” logo stamp. Based on the company’s own published material rather than anecdote, the style of logo stamp, rather than the numbering system, should be the basis for assigning the Period. Mel Feldman, the highly regarded expert on Barling, holds this view. | |||
In November of 1962 B. Barling and Sons publishes another full catalog and the differences between the two are instructive.<br> | |||
This catalog can be viewed at: http://pipepages.com/62bar1.htm | |||
The 1st notable point is that there is a new company logo. The block “Barling’s Make” logo is gone and has been replaced by the script “Barling” logo. The 2nd notable point is that the frontispiece has been edited to remove any mention of the Barling family as manufacturers. It is now simply Barling. June 1962 - 150th Anniversary Catalog - “During nine Reigns the Barling family have developed and perfected their craft of making the finest quality briar pipes in the world.” November 1962 - Retailers’ Catalog - “During nine Reigns Barling have developed and perfected the finest quality briar pipes in the world.” | |||
The 3rd notable point is that a new line is introduced - the Garnet Grain<br> | |||
The 4th notable point is that the model numbering system introduced earlier in the year is retained though it now includes 4 digit model numbers that begin with a “1”.<br> | |||
The 5th notable point is that new photography has been commissioned, unlike the earlier catalog published just a few months earlier, in order to display the new logo on all pipes. | |||
Based on the fact that the Barling Company felt compelled to produce two markedly different full catalogs months apart in 1962, especially in light of a prior dearth of such publications during 150 years of activity, we have to conclude that a remarkable sea change took place. The change in language on the frontispiece between the two catalogs underlines the nature of that change as the Barling family ceased to lead the company and ceased to be mentioned.<br> | |||
We would suggest that the 150th Anniversary Catalog represents the apotheosis of the family era. And, based on that publication and its contents, we suggest that all pipes which bear the block “Barling’s over “Make” logo are pre-transition pipes regardless of model number.<br> | |||
As illustrated in the later 1962 Retailers’ Catalog it is the change of logo to a script “Barling” that begins the post family era and which signifies the era of production to be “Transition” or “Post-Transition” not model numbers. | |||
===Pre-Transition=== | ===Pre-Transition=== | ||