Hilson: Difference between revisions
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[[File:HilsonElan1964.jpg|thumb|1964 Wally Frank catalog listing for Hilson Elan, Courtesy Doug Valitchka]] | |||
[[File:Fantasia13.jpg|thumb|Fantasia Add, courtesy Doug Valitchka]] | |||
[[File:Hilson Brochure 1.jpg|thumb|Hilson Brochure foldout]] | |||
[[File:Hilson foldout 2.jpg|thumb|Hilson Brochure ]] | |||
[[File:Hilson5.jpg|thumb|Hilson brochure, inside]] | |||
'''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. | ||
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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. | ||
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 | 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 [[Gubbels|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. | The Hillen plant in Bree was closed down shortly after and ever since then Hilson pipes are manufactured in Roermond, NL. | ||
== Gallery == | |||
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 mode="packed-hover"> | |||
HilsonAvanti01.jpg|Hilson Avanti, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonBolero01.jpg|Hilson Bolero, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonBolero09.jpg|Hilson Bolero nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonFantasia01.jpg|Hilson Fantasia, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonFantasia07.jpg|Hilson Fantasia nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
Fantasia01.jpg|Hilson Fantasia 271, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
Fantasia07.jpg|Hilson Fantasia 271 nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonMaestro01.jpg|Hilson Maestro, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonMaestro07.jpg|Hilson Maestro nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonNewTone01.jpg|Hilson New Tone, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonRoyalClub01.jpg|Hilson Royal Club, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonUnicorn01.jpg|Hilson Unicorn, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonUnicorn07.jpg|Hilson Unicorn nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonViva01.jpg|Hilson Viva, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
HilsonViva09.jpg|Hilson Viva nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka | |||
</gallery> | |||
[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | [[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | ||
[[Category: Belgium]] | [[Category: Belgium]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:05, 2 February 2024
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.
Gallery
Hilson Avanti, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Bolero, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Bolero nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Fantasia, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Fantasia nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Fantasia 271, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Fantasia 271 nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Maestro, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Maestro nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson New Tone, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Royal Club, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Unicorn, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Unicorn nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Viva, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Hilson Viva nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
