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Barling: Difference between revisions
→The Company
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[[File:Barlings_pre_Long4.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Pair of 1894s with E.B. W.B stamped Barling silverwork]] Barling is a great name in pipes among smokers and collectors alike. The original Barlings were silversmiths in England during the latter part of the 1700's, with their silver mountings first appearing on pipes in 1812. The company entered a "modern" phase in 1851 when they began carving pipes out of briar. Over the next 109 years the company gained an enviable reputation for the excellent smoking characteristics of their pipes, in addition to their unique interpretation of classic shapes, and the development of some "new" classics. | [[File:Barlings_pre_Long4.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Pair of 1894s with E.B. W.B stamped Barling silverwork]] Barling is a great name in pipes among smokers and collectors alike. The original Barlings were silversmiths in England during the latter part of the 1700's, with their silver mountings first appearing on pipes in 1812. The company entered a "modern" phase in 1851 when they began carving pipes out of briar. Over the next 109 years the company gained an enviable reputation for the excellent smoking characteristics of their pipes, in addition to their unique interpretation of classic shapes, and the development of some "new" classics. | ||
According to Richard Carleton Hacker, the company was sold by the Barling family in 1960 to the Imperial Tobacco Company. Barling expert, Tad Gage indicates in his often sited Pipes and Tobacco Magazine article (spring 2000 issue) that the date was 1962. After a brief transition period, the quality and identity of these fine pipes went down hill rapidly. | According to Richard Carleton Hacker, the company was sold by the Barling family in 1960 to the Imperial Tobacco Company. However, Barling expert, Tad Gage indicates in his often sited Pipes and Tobacco Magazine article (spring 2000 issue) that the date was 1962. It has recently come to light that letters exist, which were written by Montague Barling from the period of April thru June of 1962, when the Barling Company presented pipes to celebrity pipe smokers to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the company. So at that time it appears that Monte was still president. | ||
Shortly after this period, the family sold the business to Finlays, their biggest customer. Finlays operated a large chain of | |||
tobacconists known as the House of Bewlay. A director of Bewlay's, Ron Harden, was transferred to Barling to act as its General Manager. When the Imperial tobacco company bought Finlay they inherited the Barling Company. After a brief transition period, the quality and identity of these fine pipes went down hill rapidly. | |||
== The periods == | == The periods == | ||