Charatan

Early Lane period, courtesy SmokersHaven

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Brief History

Frederick Charatan created the brand in 1863 and opened a shop in Mansell Street London and later moved to Prescott Street. It was a small family business with limited production until the 1950's when Herman Lane assumed distribution for the U.S. in 1955 and Charatan became hugely popular in the states. In the 1980's Lane sold the company to Dunhill and the Prescott Street factory closed in 1982. Thereafter the fame and quality of the make declined. The pre-Lane period (prior to 1955) and the Lane era pipes (1955 to until sometime between 1979 - 1984) are of primary interest the collector. The Lane era is often quoted as beginning about 1950 and Lane apparently had some influence starting around 1950, but it was not until 1955 that Herman Lane became the sole distributor for Charatan’s in the United States. This can be documented in a “biography” written for Herman G. Lane titled “Leaves from a Tobaccoman’s Log”.

Charatan records are almost non-existent before Lane due to a factory fire, making it difficult to date pre-Lane pipes. Charatan used 4 basic grades prior to 1950: Supreme, Selected, Executive, and Belvedere. After 1950 Herman Lane's influence began, and the grades started to expand. In 1955 Lane took over sole distributorship of Charatan in the US. In 1957 he introduced the Supreme S. Most of his other introductions were from the 60's and early 70's.

Miscellaneous Notes

Charatan records indicate the DC bit was introduced in the 50’s, but some report seeing them in earlier production. Still others indicate they were introduced by Lane in 1960. Regardless, the DC bit is not an accurate way to date a pipe because many Charatan’s were made with regular and saddle type bits throughout the “Lane Era”.

Notes on Supremes: Supremes made before 1950 were mostly traditional shapes and smaller than after Lane started influencing Charatan.

Nomenclature

The Lane Trademark serif and circled L indicates the pipe is from the “Lane Era” (approx. 1955 to 1979 -1984?), however the lack of it could simply mean the pipe missed receiving the stamp from the factory. The lack of the trademark could also mean the pipe was a European issue Charatan, which did not receive the Lane Trademark because Lane only owned distribution rights for the United States.

Generally, when the pipe is stamped with the BLOCK letters “MADE BY HAND” it means the pipe was probably made between 1958 and 1965”

Generally, block letters “MADE BY HAND” and some of the other nomenclature in script (i.e. City of London or Extra Large next to the MADE BY HAND) means the pipe was made sometime between 1965 and the mid 1970’s. The total script nomenclature “Made by Hand in City of London” evolved over this period of time, so many pipes had variants, such as Made By Hand in block letters and City of London in script, or some other variation of the terms or stampings.

It is believed the FH was used on Charatan pipes between 1957 and 1967-68. Three different sizes were used. The Charatan Logo (CP) on the pipe bit was changed over the years.

Charatans, courtesy of the Derek Green Collection

Charatan "Smokers" from the Derek Green Collection
From the top counter-clockwise
1. Freehand Relief 4 with Lane stamp.
2. Selected F.H. Lane stamp.
3. Supreme "S" F.H. Lane stamp.
4. Rarity Extra Large, Made by Hand. 
   Lane stamp.
5. Special.30120 DC.Reg.No.203573
6. Special. 317 DC
7. Special. 61
8. Nomenclature worn. Bought in London 
   in the 1960,s and travelled everywhere 
   with me in my motorcycle leathers!
9. Freehand Relief.
10.56 Lane stamp

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Note: Memories of Charatan Pipes and Notes on their Dating, an article that appeared in The Pipe Collector written by Ivy Ryan has been removed from Pipedia. Charatan experts and enthusiasts indicate that this article contains miss-information as to the dating of Charatn pipes. You are welcome to present arguments to the contrary to the SYSOP by sending an E-mail to: mailto:sethile.pipes@gmail.com)

Off Site Links

The following Charatan Article in Italian is reported to be excellent. It is a study by Fabio Ferrara (Monterubbiano - Italy) based on more than 2000 old charatan pipes he studied from the "Basciano stock" purchased by Mario Luninski - Fermo). Note: If anyone would like to translate this article into English, it would make a fanatastic contribution to the Charatan knowledge base her on Pipedia.

C.R.O.W.N. (Charatan Rules Over Whitespot Newera)