LHS

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. LHS was one of the main pipe supplier for US soldiers during WWII.

LHS Sterncrest add, courtesy Doug Valitchka

Sterncrest Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka

1947 Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka

LHS Purex Superfine Board and pipes

Patents, courtesy Doug Valitchka
1928 Patent
1933 Patent

In a 1944 catalog there were various model names made by LHS, and they included: Ultra Fine, Sterncrest, Certified Purex, Purex, a Patented Purex, Sculptured Purex, Purex Superfine And other line names: Barrister, Marwyn, Park Lane, Radmanol, and Warwick.

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

LHS Sterncrest examples with details and nomenclature, courtesy Doug Valitchka

LHS Superfine example and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka

LHS Park Lane example and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka

Various LHS examples and details, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Puxex Blue Dot
Puxex Blue Dot Nomenclature
LHS Sir Robert
LHS Sir Robert Nomenclature
LHS Sir Robert Detail
Rare Rustic
Rare Rustic Nomenclature
Special Make Detail
Caboose
Caboose Nomenclaute

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.

Promo photos from a vintage stereo-scopic slide reel that appear to be from the L&H Stern factory lobby, courtesy Dave Gossett

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
Special Make
Counter Display with assortment
Sterncraft Counter Display with assortment
Purex Preferred Display