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The basis for this article is an excerpt from [[A History Of Comoy's and A Guide Toward Dating the Pipes]] written by '''Derek Green '''[http://www.derek-green.com/comoy_history03.htm]. | ''The basis for this article is an excerpt from [[A History Of Comoy's and A Guide Toward Dating the Pipes]] written by '''Derek Green '''[http://www.derek-green.com/comoy_history03.htm]. This article was published in the June 2006 issue of The Pipe Collector. The official newsletter of the North American Society of Pipe Collectors [http://naspc.org (NASPC)], and is used here by permission. It's a great organization--consider joining.'' | ||
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[[Image:Comoy 1904.gif|right|thumb|250px|1904 Comoy's]][[Image:Comoy 1902.gif|left|thumb|250px|1902 Comoy's]]'''Francois Comoy''' and his brothers started making pipes (probably clays, boxwood and beech) in 1825 in the small monastic town of | [[Image:Comoy 1904.gif|right|thumb|250px|1904 Comoy's]] | ||
[[Image:Comoy 1902.gif|left|thumb|250px|1902 Comoy's]] | |||
'''Francois Comoy''' and his brothers started making pipes (probably clays, boxwood and beech) in 1825 in the small monastic town of [[Saint-Claude]] in eastern France. Francois and his son Louis discovered that briar had vastly superior qualities and from 1848 made pipes only in this wood. In 1879 Francois’s son Henri, who was born in 1850, moved to '''London''' with a small bag of tools, but a great deal of experience. Henri set up a small factory in '''Seven Dials''' which is today known as '''Cambridge Circus'''. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the briar pipe trade in London and is credited with being the author of the appellation '''“London Made”'''. | |||
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He was helped at first by some of his brothers and around 1891 was joined by his two nephews, Louis and Charles Chapuis. Louis took the name of his adoptive parents. By 1895 the business had outgrown the Seven Sisters site and a new factory was built in '''Newcastle Place''', '''Clerkenwell'''. By 1905 markets were being sought in America and the extra business required a new factory to be built in 1913 at 72 Rosebury Avenue. | He was helped at first by some of his brothers and around 1891 was joined by his two nephews, Louis and Charles Chapuis. Louis took the name of his adoptive parents. By 1895 the business had outgrown the Seven Sisters site and a new factory was built in '''Newcastle Place''', '''Clerkenwell'''. By 1905 markets were being sought in America and the extra business required a new factory to be built in 1913 at 72 Rosebury Avenue. | ||
[[Image:Comoy extraordinaire.gif|left|thumb|250px|Comoy's Extraordinaire]] | [[Image:Comoy extraordinaire.gif|left|thumb|250px|Comoy's Extraordinaire]] | ||
[[Image:Comoy straight grain.gif|right|thumb|250px|Comoy's Straight Grain]][[File:ComoyDeLuxeSG.jpg|thumb|250px|Circa 1920's - 1930's DE LUXE Straight Grain, courtesy Doug Valitchka]] | [[Image:Comoy straight grain.gif|right|thumb|250px|Comoy's Straight Grain]] | ||
[[File:ComoyDeLuxeSG.jpg|thumb|250px|Circa 1920's - 1930's DE LUXE Straight Grain, courtesy Doug Valitchka]] | |||
In 1914 the partners, Henri Comoy and his nephews Louis and Charles, incorporated the business as H.Comoy & Co. Ltd. Before the 1914/18 war Henri was also joined by his sons, Adrien and Paul who were born after his nephews arrived in London. In 1921 Sam Zinberg was appointed Director of Sales for the USA and the '''House of Comoy''' was established. Henri Comoy died in 1924 at the age of 74 leaving the company in the hands of Louis and Charles. | In 1914 the partners, Henri Comoy and his nephews Louis and Charles, incorporated the business as H.Comoy & Co. Ltd. Before the 1914/18 war Henri was also joined by his sons, Adrien and Paul who were born after his nephews arrived in London. In 1921 Sam Zinberg was appointed Director of Sales for the USA and the '''House of Comoy''' was established. Henri Comoy died in 1924 at the age of 74 leaving the company in the hands of Louis and Charles. | ||
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[[Image:Comoy tradition.gif|left|thumb|250px|Comoy's Tradition]] | [[Image:Comoy tradition.gif|left|thumb|250px|Comoy's Tradition]] | ||
[[Image:Comoy virgin.gif|right|thumb|250px|Comoy's Virgin Briar]] | [[Image:Comoy virgin.gif|right|thumb|250px|Comoy's Virgin Briar]] | ||
The main manufacturing companies in the merger known as Cadogan Investments Ltd were Civic, Comoy’s and Marechal Ruchon & Co Ltd, and in the early | The main manufacturing companies in the merger known as Cadogan Investments Ltd were Civic, Comoy’s and Marechal Ruchon & Co Ltd, and in the early 1960s manufacture came under one management, but the marketing departments continued working independently for a number of years. My 1965 catalogue makes the following statement “And now, we the Comoy's of the fourth generation, together with those of the fifth, Pierre Comoy and Louis Chapuis, continue to follow the course set by our forefathers, who would be gratified to see our latest ultra modern plant in Aldershot Hampshire.” Comoy’s remained a family owned company until it was finally taken over by Cadogan Investments during the early 1980’s. Cadogan have continued to manufacture Comoy pipes to the present day and, under Michael Adler, the Comoy brand is their flagship and efforts are being made to once more re-instate the well known quality of the brand. | ||
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File:Comoy-1907-3.jpeg | File:Comoy-1907-3.jpeg | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
<gallery widths=250 heights=185 caption="A beautifully restored 1916 Comoy's Cased Pocket Pipe from the collection of Mark Achtman, courtesy Anthony Cook> | <gallery widths=250 heights=185 caption="A beautifully restored 1916 Comoy's Cased Pocket Pipe from the collection of Mark Achtman, courtesy Anthony Cook> | ||
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File:1916com-207.jpg | File:1916com-207.jpg | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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In addition to seeing the complete article [[A History Of Comoy's and A Guide Toward Dating the Pipes]] here on Pipedia, more detailed information on Names, Grades, etc., as well as photo examples can be found at Derek Green's [http://www.derek-green.com/comoy_history03.htm Website]. | In addition to seeing the complete article [[A History Of Comoy's and A Guide Toward Dating the Pipes]] here on Pipedia, more detailed information on Names, Grades, etc., as well as photo examples can be found at Derek Green's [http://www.derek-green.com/comoy_history03.htm Website]. | ||
=== 1920 Hallmarked Super Sports w/Double stamp === | |||
The following pipe is unique in that it is double stamped, “London Made” and then fainter “Made in London”. Both are in the rugby style (click the image to enlarge): | |||
<gallery widths=250 heights=185 caption="1920 Super Sports w/Double Stamp, courtesy Tim Lomprey"> | |||
Comoy-1920-SuperSport.JPG | |||
Comoy-1920-SuperSport2.JPG | |||
Comoy-1920-SuperSport3.JPG | |||
</gallery> | |||
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="Comoy's made for Geo. M. Wagner hallmarked 1921, courtesy Tim Lomprey"> | |||
Comous-Wagners-1921.jpg | |||
Comous-Wagners-1921-2.jpg | |||
</gallery> | |||
=== Special STRAIGHT GRAIN === | === Special STRAIGHT GRAIN === | ||
[[File:Special-straight-grain (1).jpg|thumb|400px|left|Special STRAIGHT GRAIN Example from Tony Soderman, via Doug Valitchka]][[File:Comoy's Special Straight Grain.jpg|thumb|400px|Comoy Special STRAIGHT GRAIN, courtesy Doug Valitchka]]Here's a brief explanation from "MrCan" Tony Soderman: The History of the "Special STRAIGHT GRAIN" (like all early Comoy's) is murky at best! Special STRAIGHT GRAINS were rarely available and were offered with the same frequency of Specimen Straight Grains (generally regarded as the "rarest pipe in pipe-collecting" as only one in every 10,000 Comoy's became a Specimen). Also, much like the fabled Specimen, Special STRAIGHT GRAINS were NOT included on Comoy's Price Lists! (They were not distributed with other | [[File:Special-straight-grain (1).jpg|thumb|400px|left|Special STRAIGHT GRAIN Example from Tony Soderman, via Doug Valitchka]] | ||
[[File:Comoy's Special Straight Grain.jpg|thumb|400px|Comoy Special STRAIGHT GRAIN, courtesy Doug Valitchka]] | |||
Here's a brief explanation from "MrCan" Tony Soderman: The History of the "Special STRAIGHT GRAIN" (like all early Comoy's) is murky at best! Special STRAIGHT GRAINS were rarely available and were offered with the same frequency of Specimen Straight Grains (generally regarded as the "rarest pipe in pipe-collecting" as only one in every 10,000 Comoy's became a Specimen). Also, much like the fabled Specimen, Special STRAIGHT GRAINS were NOT included on Comoy's Price Lists! (They were not distributed with other Comoy's but were held at the factory and were available upon special request to retailers. | |||
Dating: This is stamped in a circle with “MADE” at the top, “IN” in the middle, and “ENGLAND” forming the bottom of the circle. This can be seen on a Cecil as early as 1910 and on an Old Bruyere of 1921 and more frequent from the 1930s. It can also appear as “MADE” arched, “IN” below, and “ENGLAND” arched the other way. These stamps are in an oval rugby-ball shape rather than a circle round shape. | Dating: This is stamped in a circle with “MADE” at the top, “IN” in the middle, and “ENGLAND” forming the bottom of the circle. This can be seen on a Cecil as early as 1910 and on an Old Bruyere of 1921 and more frequent from the 1930s. It can also appear as “MADE” arched, “IN” below, and “ENGLAND” arched the other way. These stamps are in an oval rugby-ball shape rather than a circle round shape. | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
<gallery widths=250 heights=185 caption="And here is a similar issue on pipes branded as Selected Straight Grain, courtesy Doug Valitchka"> | |||
<gallery widths=250 heights=185 caption="And here is a similar issue | |||
SelectStrGrn01.jpg | SelectStrGrn01.jpg | ||
SelectStrGrn07.jpg | SelectStrGrn07.jpg | ||
SelectStrGrn08.jpg | SelectStrGrn08.jpg | ||
SelectStrGrn09.jpg | SelectStrGrn09.jpg | ||
SelectedSG01.jpg | |||
SelectedSG07.jpg | |||
SelectedSG08.jpg | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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Greg Pease has a nice collection of | '''*Greg Pease has a nice collection of Comoy's, some excellent examples and photos of which can be seen on his [http://glpease.com/Pipes/Collection/comoy.html website].''' | ||
<gallery widths=250 heights=250 caption="Examples and details, couresy Blaik-Pipes"> | |||
File:2283-001.jpg|COMOY’S LONDON MADE 235 Courtesy of [http://blaik-pipes.ru/ Blaik-Pipes] | |||
File:COMOY'S 61XL.png|COMOY’S EXTRAORDINAIRE 61 XL ''Courtesy of [http://blaik-pipes.ru/ Blaik-Pipes] | |||
File:287.png||COMOY’S EXTRAORDINAIRE 805 1920 Courtesy of [http://blaik-pipes.ru/ Blaik-Pipes] | |||
File:286-1.png|COMOY’S OLD BRUYERE 1919 Courtesy of [http://blaik-pipes.ru/ Blaik-Pipes] | |||
File:Comoy's Old Bruyere.png|COMOY’S OLD BRUYERE A.MARTIN FRIBOURG 47 Courtesy of [http://blaik-pipes.ru/ Blaik-Pipes] | |||
</gallery> | |||
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[[File:Comoy's Prima 1920.jpg|thumb|400px|A beautiful Circa 1920 Prima, courtesy Doug Valitchka]] | [[File:Comoy's Prima 1920.jpg|thumb|400px|A beautiful Circa 1920 Prima, courtesy Doug Valitchka]] | ||
<gallery widths=250px heights=185 caption="Examples, details, and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka"> | |||
File:BlueRiband BlueColored C01.jpg|Blue Riband | File:BlueRiband BlueColored C01.jpg|Blue Riband | ||
File:BlueRiband BlueColored C03.jpg|Blue Riband Nomenclature | File:BlueRiband BlueColored C03.jpg|Blue Riband Nomenclature | ||
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File:BlueRiband01.jpg|Blue Riband | File:BlueRiband01.jpg|Blue Riband | ||
File:BlueRiband07.jpg|Blue Riband Nomenclature | File:BlueRiband07.jpg|Blue Riband Nomenclature | ||
File:Castleton01.jpg|Castleton | |||
File:Castleton07.jpg|Castleton detail | |||
File:ComoyDeLuxe01.jpg|Deluxe | File:ComoyDeLuxe01.jpg|Deluxe | ||
File:ComoyDeLuxe07.jpg|Deluxe Nomenclature | File:ComoyDeLuxe07.jpg|Deluxe Nomenclature | ||
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File:ComoyExtra01.jpg|Extraordinaire | File:ComoyExtra01.jpg|Extraordinaire | ||
File:ComoyExtra07.jpg|Extraordinaire Nomenclature | File:ComoyExtra07.jpg|Extraordinaire Nomenclature | ||
Highgate01.jpg|Highgate w/box | |||
Highgate11.jpg|Highgate detail | |||
File:ComoyLondonPride01.jpg|London Pride and original box | File:ComoyLondonPride01.jpg|London Pride and original box | ||
File:ComoyLondonPride09.jpg|London Pride Nomenclature | File:ComoyLondonPride09.jpg|London Pride Nomenclature | ||
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File:ComoyOldBruyere07.jpg|Old Bruyere Nomenclature | File:ComoyOldBruyere07.jpg|Old Bruyere Nomenclature | ||
File:ComoyOldBruyereRare Marking.jpg|Old Bruyere Rare Marking | File:ComoyOldBruyereRare Marking.jpg|Old Bruyere Rare Marking | ||
ComoysOldBruyere01.jpg|Another Old Bruyere | |||
ComoysOldBruyere07.jpg|Old Bruyere nomenclature | |||
File:ComoyPebbleGr01.jpg|Pebble Grain | File:ComoyPebbleGr01.jpg|Pebble Grain | ||
File:ComoyPebbleGr07.jpg|Pebble Grain Nomenclature | File:ComoyPebbleGr07.jpg|Pebble Grain Nomenclature | ||
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File:ComoysDesigner01.jpg|Designer | File:ComoysDesigner01.jpg|Designer | ||
File:ComoysDesigner09.jpg|Designer Nomenclature | File:ComoysDesigner09.jpg|Designer Nomenclature | ||
File:Designer01.jpg|Designer | |||
File:Designer07.jpg|Designer Nomenclature | |||
File:ComoySilverCloud01.jpg|Silver Cloud | File:ComoySilverCloud01.jpg|Silver Cloud | ||
File:ComoySilverCloud07.jpg|Silver Cloud Nomenclature | File:ComoySilverCloud07.jpg|Silver Cloud Nomenclature | ||
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File:Tradition01.jpg|Tradition | File:Tradition01.jpg|Tradition | ||
File:Tradition07.jpg|Tradition Nomenclature | File:Tradition07.jpg|Tradition Nomenclature | ||
Tradition2-01.jpg|Tradition | |||
Tradition2-07.jpg|Tradition Nomenclature | |||
File:ComoysTraditionEarly01.jpg|Early Tradition | File:ComoysTraditionEarly01.jpg|Early Tradition | ||
File:ComoysTraditionEarly07.jpg|Early Tradition Nomenclature | File:ComoysTraditionEarly07.jpg|Early Tradition Nomenclature | ||
ComoyTrend01.jpg|Trend | |||
ComoyTrend07.jpg|Trend Nomenclature | |||
File:ComoyVanguard01.jpg|Vanguard | File:ComoyVanguard01.jpg|Vanguard | ||
File:ComoyVanguard09.jpg|Vanguard Nomenclature | File:ComoyVanguard09.jpg|Vanguard Nomenclature | ||
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Comoy's_1920's_02.jpg|Box | Comoy's_1920's_02.jpg|Box | ||
Comoy's_1920's_03.jpg|1920s Example | Comoy's_1920's_03.jpg|1920s Example | ||
</gallery | File:ComoysOB01.jpg|Old Bruyere with H. Sutliff San Francisco (Tobacconist) stamp | ||
File:ComoysOB07.jpg|Old Bruyere detail | |||
File:ComoysOB08.jpg|Old Bruyere detail | |||
ComoysOB2-01.jpg|Another Old Bruyere | |||
ComoysOB2-07.jpg|Old Bruyere detail | |||
ComoysOB2-08.jpg|Old Bruyere detail | |||
File:SelectSG01.jpg|Selected Straight Grain | |||
File:SelectSG07.jpg|Selected Straight Grain detail | |||
File:SelectSG08.jpg|Catalog page showing Selected Straight Grain | |||
</gallery> | |||
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[[Image:Comoy804.jpg|thumb|center|400px|1930's Comoy's 804 Extraordinaire shown with a 1965 Group 4 sized Dunhill 120 (which is the equivalent of a Group 5 size today) for size comparison - Courtesy of Mike Ahmadi]] | [[Image:Comoy804.jpg|thumb|center|400px|1930's Comoy's 804 Extraordinaire shown with a 1965 Group 4 sized Dunhill 120 (which is the equivalent of a Group 5 size today) for size comparison - Courtesy of Mike Ahmadi]] | ||
<gallery widths=400 heights=225 caption="Comoy's Air-O-Dry, via Doug Valitchka"> | |||
Air-O-Dry1.jpg | |||
Air-O-Dry2.jpg | |||
</gallery> | |||
</center> | |||
[[File:1919YaleComoyPoker.jpg|thumb|1919 Yale University Class Pipe by [[Comoy's]], courtesy Brian Robertson collection]] | |||
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="[[Comoy's]] 1919 Yale University Class Pipe, with a silver band done by Comoy's to repair a small crack in the shank in 1938, as indicated by their hallmark. For more information see [[College Class Pipes]]. Courtesy Brian Robertson collection"> | |||
1919YaleComoyPoker2.jpg | |||
1919YaleComoyPoker3.jpg | |||
1919YaleComoyPoker4.jpg | |||
</gallery> | |||
== Seconds made by Comoy's == <!--T:14--> | == Seconds made by Comoy's == <!--T:14--> | ||
<!--T:15--> | <!--T:15--> | ||
Ace of spades | <div style="column-count:10;-moz-column-count:10;-webkit-column-count:10"> | ||
* Academy Award | |||
* Ace of spades | |||
* Ancestor | |||
* Astor | |||
* Ayres | |||
* Britannia | |||
* Brompton | |||
* Canadian Club | |||
* Carlyle | |||
* Charles Cross | |||
* Claridge | |||
* [[Coronet]]? | |||
* Cromwell | |||
* [[Damman]]? | |||
* Dorchester | |||
* Dunbar | |||
* Drury Lane | |||
* Emerson | |||
* Everyman | |||
* Festival of Britain | |||
* Golden Arrow | |||
* Grand Master | |||
* Gresham | |||
* Guildhall | |||
* Hamilton (according to Who Made That Pipe) | |||
* Kingsway | |||
* Lion's Head | |||
* Lord Clive | |||
* Lumberman | |||
* Hyde Park | |||
* Lloyds | |||
* Mc Gahey | |||
* Moorgate | |||
* Newcastle | |||
* [[Old Mariner]]? | |||
* Oxford | |||
* O'Gorman | |||
* Rosebery Extra | |||
* Royal Falcon | |||
* Royal Guard | |||
* Royal Lane | |||
* Scotland Yard | |||
* [[St James]] | |||
* [[Sunrise]] | |||
* Super Sports | |||
* Sussex | |||
* The Academy Award | |||
* The Balmoral | |||
* The Golden Arrow | |||
* The Mansion House | |||
* [[The Exmoor Pipe]] | |||
* Treaty Bond | |||
* Throgmorton | |||
* Tinder Box Royal Coachman | |||
* Townhall | |||
* Trident | |||
* Trocadero | |||
* Westminster | |||
* Wilshire | |||
</div> | |||
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<center><gallery widths=200px caption="Second examples, details, and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka"> | <center><gallery widths=200px caption="Second examples, details, and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka"> | ||
File:AcademyAward01.jpg|Academy Award | |||
File:AcademyAward07.jpg|Academy Award Nomenclature | |||
File:AcademyAward13.jpg|Academy Award box, sock, and pamphlet | |||
File:AceSpades01.jpg|Ace of Spades (Early France) | |||
File:AceSpades07.jpg|Ace of Spades detail | |||
File:Ancestor01.jpg|Ancestor | |||
File:Ancestor07.jpg|Ancestor Detail | |||
File:Ancestor08.jpg|Ancestor Detail | |||
File:Ancestor2-01.jpg|Ancestor | |||
File:Ancestor2-07.jpg|Ancestor Detail | |||
File:Ancestor2-08.jpg|Ancestor Detail | |||
Ancestor296-01.jpg|Ancestor For Clubb's Los Angeles | |||
Ancestor296-07.jpg|Ancester - Clubb's detail | |||
File:AstorB01.jpg|Astor | File:AstorB01.jpg|Astor | ||
File:AstorB07.jpg|Astor Detail (Straight Made in London England) | File:AstorB07.jpg|Astor Detail (Straight Made in London England) | ||
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Astor01.jpg|Astor Apple | Astor01.jpg|Astor Apple | ||
Astor07.jpg|Astor Apple detail | Astor07.jpg|Astor Apple detail | ||
Astor309-01.jpg|Astor 309 Billiard | |||
Astor309-11.jpg|Astor 309 detail | |||
File:Brompton01.jpg|Brompton | |||
File:Brompton07.jpg|Brompton detail | |||
CanadianClub01.jpg|Canadian Club | |||
CanadianClub07.jpg|Canadian Club detail | |||
CanadianClub08.jpg|Canadian Club detail | |||
Carlyle01.jpg|Carlyle (1930s) | Carlyle01.jpg|Carlyle (1930s) | ||
Carlyle08.jpg|Carlyle detail | Carlyle08.jpg|Carlyle detail | ||
Carlyle09.jpg|Carlyle detail | Carlyle09.jpg|Carlyle detail | ||
Carlyle10.jpg|Carlyle detail | Carlyle10.jpg|Carlyle detail | ||
File:DruryLane01.jpg|Drury Lane | |||
File:DruryLane07.jpg|Drury Lane details | |||
File:Dunbar01.jpg|Dunbar | |||
File:Dunbar07.jpg|Dunbar details | |||
File:Everyman01.jpg|A new Everyman w/Original Box | |||
File:Everyman436B-01.jpg|Everyman shape 436B | |||
File:Everyman436B-07.jpg|46B Detail | |||
File:Everyman56-01.jpg|Everyman Shape 56 | |||
File:Everyman56-07.jpg|56 details | |||
File:GoldenArrow.jpg|Golden Arrow box and sock | File:GoldenArrow.jpg|Golden Arrow box and sock | ||
File:Guildhall02.jpg|Guildhall and original box | File:Guildhall02.jpg|Guildhall and original box | ||
File:Guildhall07.jpg|Guildhall Nomenclature | File:Guildhall07.jpg|Guildhall Nomenclature | ||
File:Guildhall11.jpg|Guildhall details | File:Guildhall11.jpg|Guildhall details | ||
Guildhall-Halmark01.jpg|Guildhall with 1980 Hallmark | |||
Guildhall-Halmark07.jpg|1980 Details | |||
Guildhall-Halmark08.jpg|1980 Details | |||
File:Guildhall-332b-01.jpg|Guildhall 332B | |||
File:Guildhall-332b-07.jpg|Guildhall 332B Details | |||
File:Lumberman01.jpg|Lumberman | File:Lumberman01.jpg|Lumberman | ||
File:Lumberman09.jpg|Lumberman Nomenclature | File:Lumberman09.jpg|Lumberman Nomenclature | ||
File:Lumberman10.jpg|Lumberman Nomenclature | File:Lumberman10.jpg|Lumberman Nomenclature | ||
RoyalCoach01.jpg|Royal Coachman | |||
RoyalCoach07.jpg|Royal Coachman Detail | |||
File:RoyalFalcon01.jpg|Royal Falcon | File:RoyalFalcon01.jpg|Royal Falcon | ||
File:RoyalFalcon07.jpg|Royal Falcon Nomenclature | File:RoyalFalcon07.jpg|Royal Falcon Nomenclature | ||
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RoyalFalcon2-10.jpg|Royal Falcon detail | RoyalFalcon2-10.jpg|Royal Falcon detail | ||
RoyalFalcon2-17.jpg|Royal Falcon detail | RoyalFalcon2-17.jpg|Royal Falcon detail | ||
RoyalFalcon3-01.jpg|Another Royal Falcon | |||
RoyalFalcon3-07.jpg|Royal Falcon detail | |||
RoyalFalcon3-13.jpg|The Maltese Falcon showing Royal Falcon brand stamp | |||
RoyalLane2-01.jpg|Royal Lane | |||
RoyalLane2-07.jpg|Royal Lane Nomenclature | |||
File:RoyalL01.jpg|Royal Lane | File:RoyalL01.jpg|Royal Lane | ||
File:RoyalL07.jpg|Royal Lane Nomenclature | File:RoyalL07.jpg|Royal Lane Nomenclature | ||
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File:RoyalLane07.jpg|Royal Lane Detail | File:RoyalLane07.jpg|Royal Lane Detail | ||
File:RoyalLane08.jpg|Royal Lane Detail | File:RoyalLane08.jpg|Royal Lane Detail | ||
File:Rugby01.jpg|Comoy's made RUGBY, with Made in France Rugby shaped stamp | |||
File:Rugby07.jpg|Comoy's made RUGBY, with Made in France Rugby shaped stamp | |||
File:StJames01.jpg|ST James | |||
File:StJames07.jpg|ST James Nomenclature | |||
File:Kingsway01.jpg|Kingsway | File:Kingsway01.jpg|Kingsway | ||
File:Kingsway07.jpg|Kingsway Nomenclature | File:Kingsway07.jpg|Kingsway Nomenclature | ||
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Gresham09.jpg|Gresham Magnum detail | Gresham09.jpg|Gresham Magnum detail | ||
Gresham10.jpg|Gresham Magnum detail | Gresham10.jpg|Gresham Magnum detail | ||
Gresham2-01.jpg|Gresham | |||
Gresham2-07.jpg|Gresham detail | |||
Gresham2-box&sleeve.jpg|Gresham Box and Sleeve | |||
Kingsway01.jpg|Kingsway, an early Compy'ssecond | |||
Kingsway07.jpg|Kingsway Detail | |||
Kingsway09.jpg|Kingsway Detail | |||
Kingsway10.jpg|Kingsway Detail | |||
File:Rosebery01.jpg|Rosebery Extra (Circa 1920's 30's) | File:Rosebery01.jpg|Rosebery Extra (Circa 1920's 30's) | ||
File:Rosebery07.jpg|Rosebery Extra Detail | File:Rosebery07.jpg|Rosebery Extra Detail | ||
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Rose302Bill10.jpg|Rosebery Extra Detail | Rose302Bill10.jpg|Rosebery Extra Detail | ||
Rose302Bill07.jpg|Rosebery Extra Detail | Rose302Bill07.jpg|Rosebery Extra Detail | ||
File:SuperSports01.jpg|Super Sports | |||
File:SuperSports07.jpg|Super Sports detail | |||
File:SuperSports08.jpg|Super Sports detail | |||
SuperSports2-01.jpg|Super Sports | |||
SuperSports2-07.jpg|Super Sports detail | |||
TownHall01.jpg|Town Hall | |||
TownHall07.jpg|Town Hall detail | |||
TownHall15.jpg|Town Hall box | |||
File:Trident01.jpg|Trident | |||
File:Trident07.jpg|Trident details | |||
File:Trocadero01.jpg|Trocadero (logo identical to Guildhall and others) | File:Trocadero01.jpg|Trocadero (logo identical to Guildhall and others) | ||
File:Trocadero07.jpg|Trocadero Detail | File:Trocadero07.jpg|Trocadero Detail | ||
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TrocaderoBent09.jpg|Trocadero Bent Detail | TrocaderoBent09.jpg|Trocadero Bent Detail | ||
Trocadero10.jpg|Trocadero Bent Detail | Trocadero10.jpg|Trocadero Bent Detail | ||
</gallery></center> | |||
[[File:SaracusseUniversityComoyRoyalFalconClassPipe.jpg|thumb|Syracuse University Comoy Royal Falcon Class Pipe. See '''[[College Class Pipes]]''' for information. Courtesy Brian Robertson Collection]] | |||
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="Syracuse University Comoy Royal Falcon Class Pipe. See '''[[College Class Pipes]]''' for information. Courtesy Brian Robertson Collection"> | |||
SaracusseUniversityComoyRoyalFalconClassPipe2.jpg | |||
SaracusseUniversityComoyRoyalFalconClassPipe3.jpg | |||
1936SaracusseUniversityCo-opAD.jpg|Syracuse University Student Newspaper Class Pipe Ad | |||
</gallery> | |||
<center><gallery widths=200 caption="Townhall (Comoy's second), Shape #25 w/silver ferrule, courtesy Radzievsky Vladimir Zeev"> | |||
Comoy-Townhall-1.jpg | |||
Comoy-Townhall-2.jpg | |||
Comoy-Townhall-3.jpg | |||
</gallery></center> | </gallery></center> | ||
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* [[Comoy's Dating Guide]] | |||
* [[Comoy's Shape Number Chart]] | |||
* A PDF copy of [https://pipedia.org/images/3/3c/Comoy.pdf Comoy's Pipe Compendium], courtesy Michael DiCuccio | |||
</translate> | </translate> | ||
[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | [[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | ||
[[Category: Great Britain]] | [[Category: Great Britain]] | ||
[[Category:Comoy's]] | [[Category: Comoy's]] |
Latest revision as of 11:42, 23 December 2022
The basis for this article is an excerpt from A History Of Comoy's and A Guide Toward Dating the Pipes written by Derek Green [1]. This article was published in the June 2006 issue of The Pipe Collector. The official newsletter of the North American Society of Pipe Collectors (NASPC), and is used here by permission. It's a great organization--consider joining.
Francois Comoy and his brothers started making pipes (probably clays, boxwood and beech) in 1825 in the small monastic town of Saint-Claude in eastern France. Francois and his son Louis discovered that briar had vastly superior qualities and from 1848 made pipes only in this wood. In 1879 Francois’s son Henri, who was born in 1850, moved to London with a small bag of tools, but a great deal of experience. Henri set up a small factory in Seven Dials which is today known as Cambridge Circus. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the briar pipe trade in London and is credited with being the author of the appellation “London Made”.
He was helped at first by some of his brothers and around 1891 was joined by his two nephews, Louis and Charles Chapuis. Louis took the name of his adoptive parents. By 1895 the business had outgrown the Seven Sisters site and a new factory was built in Newcastle Place, Clerkenwell. By 1905 markets were being sought in America and the extra business required a new factory to be built in 1913 at 72 Rosebury Avenue.
In 1914 the partners, Henri Comoy and his nephews Louis and Charles, incorporated the business as H.Comoy & Co. Ltd. Before the 1914/18 war Henri was also joined by his sons, Adrien and Paul who were born after his nephews arrived in London. In 1921 Sam Zinberg was appointed Director of Sales for the USA and the House of Comoy was established. Henri Comoy died in 1924 at the age of 74 leaving the company in the hands of Louis and Charles.
In 1929 the company was invited to join Cadogan Investments Ltd. This was known as “The Merger” which consisted of the Civic Company and Oppenheimer Pipes with their associated companies. This merger was formed in order to create co-operation between the various companies.
In 1937 a new, model and splendidly-equipped factory was opened in Pentonville Road to accommodate additional staff of several hundred. The next generation had joined the firm by the time the Second World War broke out. Louis Chapuis Senior joined in 1938 and Pierre Comoy in 1947 after service in the Royal Armoured Corps.
The Second World War was a difficult period for the company, because the whole of industry in Great Britain was turned over to the production of armaments and the war effort, consequently the manufacture of pipes ceased, except for a small workshop. After the war ended in 1945, it was an uphill struggle for all British companies to once again get established, and it was not until 1950, and the opening of a new purpose built factory in Aldershot, that production nearly met demand.
The main manufacturing companies in the merger known as Cadogan Investments Ltd were Civic, Comoy’s and Marechal Ruchon & Co Ltd, and in the early 1960s manufacture came under one management, but the marketing departments continued working independently for a number of years. My 1965 catalogue makes the following statement “And now, we the Comoy's of the fourth generation, together with those of the fifth, Pierre Comoy and Louis Chapuis, continue to follow the course set by our forefathers, who would be gratified to see our latest ultra modern plant in Aldershot Hampshire.” Comoy’s remained a family owned company until it was finally taken over by Cadogan Investments during the early 1980’s. Cadogan have continued to manufacture Comoy pipes to the present day and, under Michael Adler, the Comoy brand is their flagship and efforts are being made to once more re-instate the well known quality of the brand.
The collector of Comoy pipes is really only interested in those pipes made before Comoy was finally taken over by Cadogan in the early 1980’s and I have therefore concentrated on that period. I have also, for the purpose of this article only briefly mentioned some of the other brands made by Comoy’s such as Cecil, Every Man, Town Hall, Guildhall etc, where they can contribute some evidence to help in dating.
- 1907 Example and detail, courtesy Racine & Laramie Tobacconist
- A beautifully restored 1916 Comoy's Cased Pocket Pipe from the collection of Mark Achtman, courtesy Anthony Cook
The basis for this article is an excerpt from A History Of Comoy's and A Guide Toward Dating the Pipes written by Derek Green , published in the June 2006 issue of The Pipe Collector. The official newsletter of the North American Society of Pipe Collectors (NASPC), and is used here by permission. It's a great organization--consider joining.
In addition to seeing the complete article A History Of Comoy's and A Guide Toward Dating the Pipes here on Pipedia, more detailed information on Names, Grades, etc., as well as photo examples can be found at Derek Green's Website.
1920 Hallmarked Super Sports w/Double stamp
The following pipe is unique in that it is double stamped, “London Made” and then fainter “Made in London”. Both are in the rugby style (click the image to enlarge):
- 1920 Super Sports w/Double Stamp, courtesy Tim Lomprey
- Comoy's made for Geo. M. Wagner hallmarked 1921, courtesy Tim Lomprey
Special STRAIGHT GRAIN
Here's a brief explanation from "MrCan" Tony Soderman: The History of the "Special STRAIGHT GRAIN" (like all early Comoy's) is murky at best! Special STRAIGHT GRAINS were rarely available and were offered with the same frequency of Specimen Straight Grains (generally regarded as the "rarest pipe in pipe-collecting" as only one in every 10,000 Comoy's became a Specimen). Also, much like the fabled Specimen, Special STRAIGHT GRAINS were NOT included on Comoy's Price Lists! (They were not distributed with other Comoy's but were held at the factory and were available upon special request to retailers.
Dating: This is stamped in a circle with “MADE” at the top, “IN” in the middle, and “ENGLAND” forming the bottom of the circle. This can be seen on a Cecil as early as 1910 and on an Old Bruyere of 1921 and more frequent from the 1930s. It can also appear as “MADE” arched, “IN” below, and “ENGLAND” arched the other way. These stamps are in an oval rugby-ball shape rather than a circle round shape.
- Special Straight Grain examples and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka
- And here is a similar issue on pipes branded as Selected Straight Grain, courtesy Doug Valitchka
*Greg Pease has a nice collection of Comoy's, some excellent examples and photos of which can be seen on his website.
- Examples and details, couresy Blaik-Pipes
COMOY’S LONDON MADE 235 Courtesy of Blaik-Pipes
COMOY’S EXTRAORDINAIRE 61 XL Courtesy of Blaik-Pipes
COMOY’S EXTRAORDINAIRE 805 1920 Courtesy of Blaik-Pipes
COMOY’S OLD BRUYERE 1919 Courtesy of Blaik-Pipes
COMOY’S OLD BRUYERE A.MARTIN FRIBOURG 47 Courtesy of Blaik-Pipes
- Catalog excerpts, shape charts, and ads, courtesy Doug Valitchka
- Examples, details, and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
- Comoy's Air-O-Dry, via Doug Valitchka
![](/images/thumb/4/4a/1919YaleComoyPoker.jpg/300px-1919YaleComoyPoker.jpg)
- Comoy's 1919 Yale University Class Pipe, with a silver band done by Comoy's to repair a small crack in the shank in 1938, as indicated by their hallmark. For more information see College Class Pipes. Courtesy Brian Robertson collection
Seconds made by Comoy's
- Academy Award
- Ace of spades
- Ancestor
- Astor
- Ayres
- Britannia
- Brompton
- Canadian Club
- Carlyle
- Charles Cross
- Claridge
- Coronet?
- Cromwell
- Damman?
- Dorchester
- Dunbar
- Drury Lane
- Emerson
- Everyman
- Festival of Britain
- Golden Arrow
- Grand Master
- Gresham
- Guildhall
- Hamilton (according to Who Made That Pipe)
- Kingsway
- Lion's Head
- Lord Clive
- Lumberman
- Hyde Park
- Lloyds
- Mc Gahey
- Moorgate
- Newcastle
- Old Mariner?
- Oxford
- O'Gorman
- Rosebery Extra
- Royal Falcon
- Royal Guard
- Royal Lane
- Scotland Yard
- St James
- Sunrise
- Super Sports
- Sussex
- The Academy Award
- The Balmoral
- The Golden Arrow
- The Mansion House
- The Exmoor Pipe
- Treaty Bond
- Throgmorton
- Tinder Box Royal Coachman
- Townhall
- Trident
- Trocadero
- Westminster
- Wilshire
- Second examples, details, and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
![](/images/thumb/9/93/SaracusseUniversityComoyRoyalFalconClassPipe.jpg/300px-SaracusseUniversityComoyRoyalFalconClassPipe.jpg)
- Syracuse University Comoy Royal Falcon Class Pipe. See College Class Pipes for information. Courtesy Brian Robertson Collection
- Townhall (Comoy's second), Shape #25 w/silver ferrule, courtesy Radzievsky Vladimir Zeev
Links
- Comoy's Dating Guide
- Comoy's Shape Number Chart
- A PDF copy of Comoy's Pipe Compendium, courtesy Michael DiCuccio