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L & H Stern (LHS) of Brooklyn, New York. The company’s famous logo is in a diamond. These pipes are high quality production pipes. The  L&H Stern Inc. was established by Ludwig Stern (1877-1942) in 1911. His brother Hugo (1872-?) acted as vice-president & secretary. The firm moved to 56 Pearl St. Brooklyn in 1920. It closed down in the 1960s.
''Many thanks to Dave Gossett for his assistance with this article. Dave has an extensive collection of L&H Stern pipes and related tobacciana, and has done extensive research on the firm.''
LHS was one of the main pipe supplier for US soldiers during WWII.
 
[[File:LHSSterncrest10.jpg|thumb|LHS Sterncrest add, courtesy Doug Valitchka]][[File:LHSSpecMake13.jpg|thumb|Sterncrest Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka]][[File:LHS 1947 Ad.jpg|thumb|1947 Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka]]
[[File:LHS Sign Dave1.jpg|thumb|Early L&H Sterm Sign, courtesy Dave Gossett]][[File:LHS Building Dave2.jpg|thumb|Building on Pearl and Waters street in Brooklyn, courtesy Dave Gossett]]Ludwig Stern, a successful pipe manufacturer since 1893 and closing around 1960, reorganized his company along with his brother Hugo Stern, opening a factory in 1911. They named the company '''L&H Stern Smoking Pipes & Holders'''. The newly formed company was moved into a six story building on the corner of Pearl and Waters street Brooklyn, NY.
 
[[File:LH Stern 1928 1587048.jpg|thumb|1928 Patent, courtesy Doug Valitchka]][[File:LHS1933Patent.jpg|thumb|1933 Patent, courtesy Doug Valithka]]
 
'''Notes from Geyer's Stationer:'''<br>
Thoroughly organized in all departments, and housed in a well-lighted and ventilated modern office and manufacturing building, the firm of L&H Stern Inc. is located near the first arch of the Manhattan bridge, near the river and convenient to the Brooklyn bridge, which makes it accessible from all the hotels in the metropolis for visiting buyers. The structure is six stories with a seventeen-foot basement, with light on three sides through prismatic glass windows, the first floor being seven feet above the sidewalk. Light enters the upper floors from all four sides.
 
L&H Stern is known to every important wholesaler and jobber in the country. LHS manufactures a complete line of briar pipes. Ginmetto wood pipes are also made, as well as Redmanol goods, the man-made amber. The first substitute for amber. Everything, even down to the sterling silver and other metal trimmings are made under one roof.
 
 
<gallery widths=300px heights=200px caption="Examples of pipes entirely made under roof">
File:LHS RedmanolStem Dave3.jpg|Example with Redmanol Stem (man-made amber)
File:LHS BakeliteStem Dave4.jpg|LHS Bakelite
</gallery>
 
[[File:LHSSterncrest10.jpg|thumb|LHS Sterncrest add, courtesy Doug Valitchka]][[File:LHS 1947 Ad.jpg|thumb|1947 Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka]]
[[File:LHS Ad 1947.jpg|thumb|1947 Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka]][[File:LHS Purex11.jpg|thumb|LHS Purex Superfine Board and pipes]]
[[File:LHS Ad 1947.jpg|thumb|1947 Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka]][[File:LHS Purex11.jpg|thumb|LHS Purex Superfine Board and pipes]]
<center><gallery Widths=250px Heights=400px Caption="Patents, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
L&H Stern advertised pipes at prices starting from $1 and topping out at $25. One Advertisement said: ''"Remember, any LHS is the best pipe in its class".''
File:LH Stern 1928 1587048.jpg|1928 Patent
<center><gallery widths=300px heights=500px caption="''LHS is the best pipe in its class''">
File:LHS1933Patent.jpg|1933 Patent
File:LHS FilterKingBoard Dave5.jpg|A display board of Entry level Filter Kings selling for $1
File:LHSSpecMake13.jpg|Ad for the Highest grade "Special Make", at $25
</gallery></center>
</gallery></center>


In a 1944 catalog there were various model names made by LHS, and they included:
[[File:LHS 14k Sterncraft SevenDaySet Dave7.jpg|thumb|center|600px|Beautiful Sterncrest seven day cased set, with 14K Gold Bands, courtesy Dave Gossett collection]]
Ultra Fine, Sterncrest, Certified Purex, Purex, a Patented Purex, Sculptured Purex, Purex Superfine
 
And other line names: Barrister, Marwyn, Park Lane, Radmanol, and Warwick.
 
[[File:LHS CertifiedPurex.jpeg|thumb|LHS Certified Purex #96, courtesy Dave Gossett collection]][[File:LHS CertifiedPurex2.jpeg|thumb|LHS Certified Purex #96, courtesy Dave Gossett collection]][[File:LHS CertifiedPurex3.jpeg|thumb|LHS Certified Purex #96, courtesy Dave Gossett collection]]
The brand had 8 pipe grades listed in the 1944 issue of Outdoor Magazine.
*Star Crest Ultrafine $ 10
*Star Crest 14K $ 7.50
*Star Crest Sterling $ 5
*Certified Purex $3.50
*Select Grain $2.50
*Sivercrest $ 2
*Superfine Purex $1.50
*Sculpted Purex $1.50
 
In addition to the above grades, a 1944 catalog also listed the following lines and models:
*Sterncrest
*Barrister
*Marwyn
*Park Lane
*Radmanol
*Warwick
 
'''Additional notes:'''
 
Some models were made before, during, and after WWII. LHS was one of the main pipe supplier for US soldiers during WWII.
 
Pre-war pipes were stamped Real Briar Root, or Briar Root. Some war time pipes were made from domestic briar, or "American" briar and were void of any briar stampings. Many American pipe makers lost their over seas supply of Mediterranean briar shortly before and during the war.  Post war pipes were stamped Imported Briar to assure customers that they were buying premium briar once again. 
 
<Gallery widths=300px heights=300px caption="Example of Pre war nomenclature, courtesy Dave Gossett">
File:LHS PreWarNomenclature Dave8.jpg
File:LHS PreWarNomenclature Dave9.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
<gallery widths=300px heights=200px caption="War time Superfine, made from domestic briar (likely [[Mission Briar]], made from Manzanita burl).  Simply stamped LHS Superfine, and void of any briar stamp or metal fittings, courtesy Dave Gossett">
File:LHS WartimeSuperfine Dave10.jpg
File:LHS WartimeSuperfine Dave11.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
<gallery widths=300px heights=200px caption="Post war Superfine and nomenclature, courtesy Dave Gossett">
File:LHS PostwarSuperfine Dave12.jpg
File:LHS PostwarSuperfineNomenclature Dave13.jpg
</gallery>
 


Many of their later Sterncrest pipes featured silver bands and some were made with 14kt. gold bands as well.
Many of their later Sterncrest pipes featured silver bands and some were made with 14kt. gold bands as well.
   
   
<center><gallery widths=175px caption="LHS Sterncrest examples with details and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
<gallery widths=175px caption="LHS Sterncrest examples with details and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
File:LHSSterncrest01.jpg
File:LHSSterncrest01.jpg
File:LHSSterncrest02.jpg
File:LHSSterncrest02.jpg
Line 29: Line 87:
File:SterncrestPOW11.jpg
File:SterncrestPOW11.jpg
File:SterncrestPOW12.jpg
File:SterncrestPOW12.jpg
</gallery></center>
</gallery>
 


<gallery widths=175px caption="LHS Superfine example and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
<gallery widths=175px caption="LHS Superfine example and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
Line 42: Line 101:
File:LHSPurex12.jpg
File:LHSPurex12.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery widths=175px caption="LHS Park Lane example and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
<gallery widths=175px caption="LHS Park Lane example and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
Line 49: Line 109:
File:LHSParkLane07b.jpg
File:LHSParkLane07b.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery widths=175px caption="Various LHS examples and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
<gallery widths=175px caption="Various LHS examples and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
Line 63: Line 124:
</gallery>
</gallery>


The "Diamond" series appears to be their high-end line. They had a different logo which was 3 diamonds in a row, larger in the middle. They also had Allbriar models (stem and bowl both made of briar) in the Diamond line, and these tended to have a screw type fitment with stinger, like Kaywoodie or Dr. Grabows.


<gallery widths=250px heights=260px caption="Promo photos from a vintage stereo-scopic slide reel that appear to be from the L&H Stern factory lobby, courtesy Dave Gossett">
<gallery widths=250px heights=260px caption="Promo photos from a vintage stereo-scopic slide reel that appear to be from the L&H Stern factory lobby, courtesy Dave Gossett">
Line 70: Line 130:
File:LHS Lobby3.jpeg
File:LHS Lobby3.jpeg
</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery widths=250px heights=260px caption="Promo photos of various displays, including the Special Make, the highest grade LHS. Extremely large sized and costing as much as $25 in the 1940's. Courtesy Dave Gossett">
<gallery widths=250px heights=260px caption="Promo photos of various displays, including the Special Make, the highest grade LHS. Extremely large sized and costing as much as $25 in the 1940's. Courtesy Dave Gossett">
Line 77: Line 138:
File:LHS SpecialMake4.jpeg|Purex Preferred Display
File:LHS SpecialMake4.jpeg|Purex Preferred Display
</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery widths=200px caption="Pipes examples and details, courtesy Dave Gossett collection">
<gallery widths=200px caption="Pipes examples and details, courtesy Dave Gossett collection">
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File:LHS ParkLane Cumberland2.jpeg|Park Lane Deluxe w/Cumberland
File:LHS ParkLane Cumberland2.jpeg|Park Lane Deluxe w/Cumberland
File:LHS ParkLane Cumberland3.jpeg|Park Lane Deluxe nomenclature
File:LHS ParkLane Cumberland3.jpeg|Park Lane Deluxe nomenclature
File:LHS CertifiedPurex.jpeg|LHS Certified Purex #96
 
File:LHS CertifiedPurex2.jpeg|LHS Certified Purex #96
 
File:LHS CertifiedPurex3.jpeg|LHS Certified Purex #96
File:LHS PurexPreferred.jpeg|LHS Purex Preferred Imported Briar #99/w original box and sock
File:LHS PurexPreferred.jpeg|LHS Purex Preferred Imported Briar #99/w original box and sock
File:LHS PurexPreferred2.jpeg|Purex Preferred #99 (Preferred Purex had hand made Bakelite stems)
File:LHS PurexPreferred2.jpeg|Purex Preferred #99 (Preferred Purex had hand made Bakelite stems)
File:LHS PurexPreferred3.jpeg|Purex Preferred #99
File:LHS PurexPreferred3.jpeg|Purex Preferred #99
</gallery>
</gallery>
'''Sources'''
*Tobacco: An illustrated weekly journal
*Geyer's Stations
*The Rotarian


[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]]
[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]]
[[Category: United States]]
[[Category: United States]]

Revision as of 00:41, 7 June 2016

Many thanks to Dave Gossett for his assistance with this article. Dave has an extensive collection of L&H Stern pipes and related tobacciana, and has done extensive research on the firm.

Early L&H Sterm Sign, courtesy Dave Gossett
Building on Pearl and Waters street in Brooklyn, courtesy Dave Gossett

Ludwig Stern, a successful pipe manufacturer since 1893 and closing around 1960, reorganized his company along with his brother Hugo Stern, opening a factory in 1911. They named the company L&H Stern Smoking Pipes & Holders. The newly formed company was moved into a six story building on the corner of Pearl and Waters street Brooklyn, NY.

1928 Patent, courtesy Doug Valitchka
1933 Patent, courtesy Doug Valithka

Notes from Geyer's Stationer:
Thoroughly organized in all departments, and housed in a well-lighted and ventilated modern office and manufacturing building, the firm of L&H Stern Inc. is located near the first arch of the Manhattan bridge, near the river and convenient to the Brooklyn bridge, which makes it accessible from all the hotels in the metropolis for visiting buyers. The structure is six stories with a seventeen-foot basement, with light on three sides through prismatic glass windows, the first floor being seven feet above the sidewalk. Light enters the upper floors from all four sides.

L&H Stern is known to every important wholesaler and jobber in the country. LHS manufactures a complete line of briar pipes. Ginmetto wood pipes are also made, as well as Redmanol goods, the man-made amber. The first substitute for amber. Everything, even down to the sterling silver and other metal trimmings are made under one roof.


LHS Sterncrest add, courtesy Doug Valitchka
1947 Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka
1947 Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka
LHS Purex Superfine Board and pipes

L&H Stern advertised pipes at prices starting from $1 and topping out at $25. One Advertisement said: "Remember, any LHS is the best pipe in its class".

Beautiful Sterncrest seven day cased set, with 14K Gold Bands, courtesy Dave Gossett collection


LHS Certified Purex #96, courtesy Dave Gossett collection
LHS Certified Purex #96, courtesy Dave Gossett collection
LHS Certified Purex #96, courtesy Dave Gossett collection

The brand had 8 pipe grades listed in the 1944 issue of Outdoor Magazine.

  • Star Crest Ultrafine $ 10
  • Star Crest 14K $ 7.50
  • Star Crest Sterling $ 5
  • Certified Purex $3.50
  • Select Grain $2.50
  • Sivercrest $ 2
  • Superfine Purex $1.50
  • Sculpted Purex $1.50

In addition to the above grades, a 1944 catalog also listed the following lines and models:

  • Sterncrest
  • Barrister
  • Marwyn
  • Park Lane
  • Radmanol
  • Warwick

Additional notes:

Some models were made before, during, and after WWII. LHS was one of the main pipe supplier for US soldiers during WWII.

Pre-war pipes were stamped Real Briar Root, or Briar Root. Some war time pipes were made from domestic briar, or "American" briar and were void of any briar stampings. Many American pipe makers lost their over seas supply of Mediterranean briar shortly before and during the war. Post war pipes were stamped Imported Briar to assure customers that they were buying premium briar once again.




Many of their later Sterncrest pipes featured silver bands and some were made with 14kt. gold bands as well.








Sources

  • Tobacco: An illustrated weekly journal
  • Geyer's Stations
  • The Rotarian