Ben Wade: Difference between revisions

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'''Ben Wade''' is one of the great names in English pipe making. As ''Richard Carleton Hacker'' noticed correctly Ben Wade, like many British pipe companies, has had a checkered history. Very checkered in this case.
'''Ben Wade''' is one of the great names in English pipe making. As ''Richard Carleton Hacker'' noticed correctly Ben Wade, like many British pipe companies, has had a checkered history. Very checkered in this case.
[[File:BenWadeTinderBox Ad.jpg|thumb|400px|Ben Wade Ad in a Tinder Box catalog, courtesy Doug Valitchka]]


===The Family era===
===The Family era===
[[Image:BenW_02.jpg|thumb|right]]
[[Image:BenW_02.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Nomenclature]]The company was founded by Benjamin Wade in 1860 in Leeds, Yorkshire, where it was located for over a century. Ben Wade started as a pipe trader, but yet in the 1860's he established a workshop to produce briar pipes. The pipes were made in very many standard shapes - always extensively classic and "very British". Many models tended to be of smaller dimensions. Ben Wade offered a very high standard of craftsmanship and quality without any fills. Thus the pipes were considered to be high grade and a major competitor to other famous English brands. The often heard comparison to [[Charatan]] seems to be a little bit inadequate because those days' Charatans were entirely handmade.
The company was founded by Benjamin Wade in 1860 in Leeds, Yorkshire, where it was located for over a century. Ben Wade started as a pipe trader, but yet in the 1860's he established a workshop to produce briar pipes. The pipes were made in very many standard shapes - always extensively classic and "very British". Many models tended to be of smaller dimensions. Ben Wade offered a very high standard of craftsmanship and quality without any fills. Thus the pipes were considered to be high grade and a major competitor to other famous English brands. The often heard comparison to [[Charatan]] seems to be a little bit inadequate because those days' Charatans were entirely handmade.


In the II. World War the factory was destroyed by German air raids on Leeds. But the Ben Wade family decided to re-build it immediately after the war and pipe production was re-started soon and successfully linked to the fame from the pre-war years. Even though the owner family decided to leave pipe business and sell off the firm. The family went into negotiations with Herman G. Lane, president of Lane Ltd. in New York at about the same time as the Charatan family. Lane Ltd. bought both firms in 1962.
In the II. World War the factory was destroyed by German air raids on Leeds. But the Ben Wade family decided to re-build it immediately after the war and pipe production was re-started soon and successfully linked to the fame from the pre-war years. Even though the owner family decided to leave pipe business and sell off the firm. The family went into negotiations with Herman G. Lane, president of Lane Ltd. in New York at about the same time as the Charatan family. Lane Ltd. bought both firms in 1962.
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===Ben Wade turns Danish===
===Ben Wade turns Danish===
[[Image:BenW_01.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[Image:BenW_01.jpg|thumb|left]]Young Copenhagen master pipemaker [[Preben Holm]] had made a meteoric career heading a pipe manufacture employing 45 people at the age of 22! But around the turn of 1970/71 he was in major financial difficulties. His US distributor, Snug Harbour Ltd. in New York City, left him in the lurch. Holm had three unpaid invoices on his desk and another large shipment was ready for the USA, when Snug Harbour's manager told him on the phone that there was no money at all on the account to pay him.
Young Copenhagen master pipemaker [[Preben Holm]] had made a meteoric career heading a pipe manufacture employing 45 people at the age of 22! But around the turn of 1970/71 he was in major financial difficulties. His US distributor, Snug Harbour Ltd. in New York City, left him in the lurch. Holm had three unpaid invoices on his desk and another large shipment was ready for the USA, when Snug Harbour's manager told him on the phone that there was no money at all on the account to pay him.


So the Dane went to New York for an almost desparate search for a new distribution partner. He made contacts with Lane Ltd. and met Herman G. Lane in February 1971. Lane Ltd. had no interest in Holm's serial pipes produced at that time but so much the more in the hand-carved freehands because the hype for Danish freehands and fancies in the States was still on it's way to the climax then. The meeting resulted in an agreement to start a cooperation. Lane insisted to improve the quality considerably and in return he assured to be able to sell essentially larger quantities.
So the Dane went to New York for an almost desparate search for a new distribution partner. He made contacts with Lane Ltd. and met Herman G. Lane in February 1971. Lane Ltd. had no interest in Holm's serial pipes produced at that time but so much the more in the hand-carved freehands because the hype for Danish freehands and fancies in the States was still on it's way to the climax then. The meeting resulted in an agreement to start a cooperation. Lane insisted to improve the quality considerably and in return he assured to be able to sell essentially larger quantities.


[[Image:BenW_03.jpg|thumb|right]]
[[Image:BenW_03.jpg|thumb|right]]Holm went back home to work on new samples with all-new designs and altered finishes for Lane. Both, Lane and Holm, agreed that it would be unwise to sell the pipes under Preben Holm's name as long as Snug Harbour had a considerable stock of Preben Holm pipes and might sell them pipes at very low prices just to bring in some money.
Holm went back home to work on new samples with all-new designs and altered finishes for Lane. Both, Lane and Holm, agreed that it would be unwise to sell the pipes under Preben Holm's name as long as Snug Harbour had a considerable stock of Preben Holm pipes and might sell them pipes at very low prices just to bring in some money.


So on Mr. Lane's proposal it was determined to use the name Ben Wade belonging to Lane Ltd. Lane spend considerable amounts of money for advertising the new brand in the big magazines-- the centerpiece being whole-page ads showing a very exclusive Seven Day's Set.
So on Mr. Lane's proposal it was determined to use the name Ben Wade belonging to Lane Ltd. Lane spend considerable amounts of money for advertising the new brand in the big magazines-- the centerpiece being whole-page ads showing a very exclusive Seven Day's Set.
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Up to now Preben Holm made Ben Wade pipes are cult and highly sought for on the estate markets.
Up to now Preben Holm made Ben Wade pipes are cult and highly sought for on the estate markets.


<center><gallery>
<center><gallery widths=300px heights=200px caption="Ben Wade Danish Free Hand Model Special Collection, Dennis Dreyer collection">
Image:BenWadeCollection_01.jpg|
Image:BenWadeCollection_01.jpg|
Image:BenWadeCollection_02.jpg|
Image:BenWadeCollection_02.jpg|
</gallery><font size="2">Ben Wade Danish Hand Model Special Collection, Dennis Dreyer collection</font></center>
</gallery></center>


<br/>


<center><gallery>
<center><gallery widths=200px caption="Ben Wade Nobel Prize 2000, Dennis Dreyer collection">
Image:NobelPrize2000_01.jpg|
Image:NobelPrize2000_01.jpg|
Image:NobelPrize2000_02.jpg|
Image:NobelPrize2000_02.jpg|
Image:NobelPrize2000_03.jpg|
Image:NobelPrize2000_03.jpg|
Image:NobelPrize2000_04.jpg|
Image:NobelPrize2000_04.jpg|
</gallery><font size="2">Ben Wade Nobel Prize 2000, Dennis Dreyer collection</font></center>
</gallery></center>


===Resurrection===
===Resurrection===
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Today's Ben Wades are an order production for [[Duncan Briars]] -  another great name from days gone by of British pipe glory (est. 1899). John Duncan, a grandson of the founder John Louis Duncan, sold the firm to his brother-in-law Peter Wilson who worked the miracle of Ben Wade's resurrection buying the rights of the brand in 1998 from Dunhill. To keep things simple the pipes are made at the Walthamstow plant where - according to British White Pages - Parker Hardcastle Briar Pipes Mfrs. and Dunhill Pipes & Smokers Requisites share not only the same the address (32 St. Andrews Rd, London E17 6BQ) but even the same telefon number (020 84984000).
Today's Ben Wades are an order production for [[Duncan Briars]] -  another great name from days gone by of British pipe glory (est. 1899). John Duncan, a grandson of the founder John Louis Duncan, sold the firm to his brother-in-law Peter Wilson who worked the miracle of Ben Wade's resurrection buying the rights of the brand in 1998 from Dunhill. To keep things simple the pipes are made at the Walthamstow plant where - according to British White Pages - Parker Hardcastle Briar Pipes Mfrs. and Dunhill Pipes & Smokers Requisites share not only the same the address (32 St. Andrews Rd, London E17 6BQ) but even the same telefon number (020 84984000).


[[Image:Ben Wade Pipe01.jpg|right|thumb|Image Courtesy of pipes2smoke.com]]
[[Image:Ben Wade Pipe01.jpg|right|thumb|Image Courtesy of pipes2smoke.com]][[Image:Ben Wade Pipe02.jpg|left|thumb|Image Courtesy of pipes2smoke.com]]Quoted from advertising: ''"The drilling and finishing of these hand made pipes would put many far more expensive pipes to shame. The bowls are carved at the world famous 32 St. Andrews Road, Walthamstowe pipe factory, in London, England. The same factory where Dunhills are made. Every pipe is drilled spot on and exhibits a good blast and all have high quality German Vulcanite mouthpieces. Every pipe is stamped "Ben Wade, Made in London, England". The craftsmanship and smokability have always been superb.
[[Image:Ben Wade Pipe02.jpg|left|thumb|Image Courtesy of pipes2smoke.com]]


Qouted from advertising:
=== Gallery of examples ===
<center><gallery widths=200px heights=175px caption="Examples and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
File:BenWade&Box17.jpg
File:BenWade01.jpg|
File:BenWade07.jpg|
File:BenWadeHandModel01.jpg
File:BenWadeHandModel07.jpg
File:BenWadeHM0Craggy.jpg
File:BenWadeHM0Craggy2.jpg
File:BenWadeHM01.jpg
File:BenWadeHM07.jpg
File:BenWadeMajestic01.jpg
File:BenWadeMajestic13.jpg
File:BenWadeMajestic14.jpg
File:BenWadeMatt01.jpg
File:BenWadeMatt07.jpg
File:BenWadePot07.jpg
File:BenWadePot10.jpg
File:BenWadeProm01.jpg
File:BenWadeProm07.jpg
File:BenWadeProm09.jpg
File:BenWadeRD01.jpg
File:BenWadeRD07.jpg
File:BenWadeRefl01.jpg
File:BenWadeRefl08.jpg
File:BenWadeRoyalGr01.jpg
File:BenWadeRoyalGr08.jpg
File:BenWadeSitter01.jpg
File:BenWadeSitter07.jpg
File:BenWadeSitter08.jpg
File:BenWadeSpecColl01.jpg
File:BenWadeSpecColl07.jpg
File:BenWadeSpecColl08.jpg
File:BenWadeSpiral01.jpg
File:BenWadeSpiral05.jpg
File:BenWadeSpiral07.jpg
File:BenWadeSpiral09.jpg
File:BenWadeWestern01.jpg
File:BenWadeWestern07.jpg
</gallery></center>


''"The drilling and finishing of these hand made pipes would put many far more expensive pipes to shame. The bowls are carved at the world famous 32 St. Andrews Road, Walthamstowe pipe factory, in London, England. The same factory where Dunhills are made.''
''Every pipe is drilled spot on and exhibits a good blast and all have high quality German Vulcanite mouthpieces. Every pipe is stamped "Ben Wade, Made in London, England".''
''The craftsmanship and smokability have always been superb."''
Pipes obtainable from [http://www.pipes2smoke.com/Ben_Wade.htm pipes2smoke.com]


[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]][[Category: Great Britain]][[Category: Denmark]]
[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]][[Category: Great Britain]][[Category: Denmark]]