Hilson: Difference between revisions
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'''Jean-Claude Hillen''' (other sources: Jean-Paul) founded a trading company in the City of Bree in 1846. He soon turned his main interest on pipes and other tobacco related goods. | '''Jean-Claude Hillen''' (other sources: Jean-Paul) founded a trading company in the City of Bree in 1846. He soon turned his main interest on pipes and other tobacco related goods. | ||
[[File:HilsonElan1964.jpg|thumb|left|1964 Wally Frank catalog listing for Hilson Elan, Courtesy Doug Valitchka]]Particularly in the 1960's and still throughout the 1970's the brand '''Hilson''' of '''Broers Hillen B.V.''' (Hillen Bros. Co.) was quite successful in many European countries. They produced large numbers of machine made pipes covering the whole range of shapes and finishes. The pipes were well respected for good quality and craftsmenship at very moderate prices. | [[File:HilsonElan1964.jpg|thumb|left|1964 Wally Frank catalog listing for Hilson Elan, Courtesy Doug Valitchka]][[File:HilsonMaestro01.jpg|thumb|Hilson Maestro, courtesy Doug Valitchka]]Particularly in the 1960's and still throughout the 1970's the brand '''Hilson''' of '''Broers Hillen B.V.''' (Hillen Bros. Co.) was quite successful in many European countries. They produced large numbers of machine made pipes covering the whole range of shapes and finishes. The pipes were well respected for good quality and craftsmenship at very moderate prices. | ||
Rarely seen there are also nice freehands from this era stamped '''MASTRO''' and signed by '''A.M. Sanoul''', who is otherwise completely unknown as a pipemaker. | Rarely seen there are also nice freehands from this era stamped '''MASTRO''' and signed by '''A.M. Sanoul''', who is otherwise completely unknown as a pipemaker. | ||
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The Hillen plant in Bree was closed down shortly after and ever since then Hilson pipes are manufactured in Roermond, NL. | The Hillen plant in Bree was closed down shortly after and ever since then Hilson pipes are manufactured in Roermond, NL. | ||
<center><gallery widths=200px caption="Examples, details, and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka"> | |||
File:HilsonMaestro07.jpg|Maestro nomenclature | |||
File:HilsonAvanti01.jpg|Avanti | |||
File:HilsonBolero01.jpg|Bolero | |||
File:HilsonBolero09.jpg|Bolero nomenclature | |||
File:HilsonFantasia01.jpg|Fantasia | |||
File:HilsonFantasia07.jpg|Fantasia nomenclature | |||
File:HilsonNewTone01.jpg|New Tone | |||
File:HilsonRoyalClub01.jpg|Royal Club | |||
File:HilsonUnicorn01.jpg|Unicorn | |||
File:HilsonUnicorn07.jpg|Unicorn nomenclature | |||
File:HilsonViva01.jpg|Viva | |||
File:HilsonViva09.jpg|Viva nomenclature | |||
</gallery></center> | |||
[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | [[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | ||
[[Category: Belgium]] | [[Category: Belgium]] | ||
Revision as of 12:59, 14 May 2016
Jean-Claude Hillen (other sources: Jean-Paul) founded a trading company in the City of Bree in 1846. He soon turned his main interest on pipes and other tobacco related goods.
Particularly in the 1960's and still throughout the 1970's the brand Hilson of Broers Hillen B.V. (Hillen Bros. Co.) was quite successful in many European countries. They produced large numbers of machine made pipes covering the whole range of shapes and finishes. The pipes were well respected for good quality and craftsmenship at very moderate prices.
Rarely seen there are also nice freehands from this era stamped MASTRO and signed by A.M. Sanoul, who is otherwise completely unknown as a pipemaker.
All the same, in 1980 Hillen faced major financial problems. At this time there was only a second manufacturer of briars pipes in the Benelux countries, the Elbert Gubbels & Zonen B.V. in the Netherlands. The Belgian competitor being in trouble, Gubbels used the favour of the hour and bought up the company. The reason is plausible: in some countries, particularly in Germany, Hilson held larger market shares than Gubbels' mainstay brand Big Ben.
The Hillen plant in Bree was closed down shortly after and ever since then Hilson pipes are manufactured in Roermond, NL.
- Examples, details, and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Maestro nomenclature
Avanti
Bolero
Bolero nomenclature
Fantasia
Fantasia nomenclature
New Tone
Royal Club
Unicorn
Unicorn nomenclature
Viva
Viva nomenclature
