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]]
'''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]][[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.
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.


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'''.
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.


[[File:Fantasia13.jpg|thumb|Fantasia Add, courtesy Doug Valitchka]]<center><gallery widths=200px caption="Examples, details, and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
== Gallery ==
File:HilsonMaestro07.jpg|Maestro nomenclature
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 mode="packed-hover">
File:HilsonAvanti01.jpg|Avanti
HilsonAvanti01.jpg|Hilson Avanti, courtesy Doug Valitchka
File:HilsonBolero01.jpg|Bolero
HilsonBolero01.jpg|Hilson Bolero, courtesy Doug Valitchka
File:HilsonBolero09.jpg|Bolero nomenclature
HilsonBolero09.jpg|Hilson Bolero nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
File:HilsonFantasia01.jpg|Fantasia
HilsonFantasia01.jpg|Hilson Fantasia, courtesy Doug Valitchka
File:HilsonFantasia07.jpg|Fantasia nomenclature
HilsonFantasia07.jpg|Hilson Fantasia nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Fantasia01.jpg|Hilson Fantasia
Fantasia01.jpg|Hilson Fantasia 271, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Fantasia07.jpg|Fantasia detail
Fantasia07.jpg|Hilson Fantasia 271 nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
File:HilsonNewTone01.jpg|New Tone
HilsonMaestro01.jpg|Hilson Maestro, courtesy Doug Valitchka
File:HilsonRoyalClub01.jpg|Royal Club
HilsonMaestro07.jpg|Hilson Maestro nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
File:HilsonUnicorn01.jpg|Unicorn
HilsonNewTone01.jpg|Hilson New Tone, courtesy Doug Valitchka
File:HilsonUnicorn07.jpg|Unicorn nomenclature
HilsonRoyalClub01.jpg|Hilson Royal Club, courtesy Doug Valitchka
File:HilsonViva01.jpg|Viva
HilsonUnicorn01.jpg|Hilson Unicorn, courtesy Doug Valitchka
File:HilsonViva09.jpg|Viva nomenclature
HilsonUnicorn07.jpg|Hilson Unicorn nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka
</gallery></center>
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]]

Revision as of 08:26, 9 November 2020

1964 Wally Frank catalog listing for Hilson Elan, Courtesy Doug Valitchka
Fantasia Add, courtesy Doug Valitchka

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