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Loewe & Co.: Difference between revisions
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Middlebult (talk | contribs) (Created page with '''This is an article written by Martin Farrent March 2003'' ---- == '''History''' == Loewe is one of the haunting old names of British pipe-making, characteristic of an almost …') |
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The Frenchman Emil Loewe founded the company, both shop and workshop, in 1856 at the | The Frenchman Emil Loewe founded the company, both shop and workshop, in 1856 at the | ||
Haymarket 62, London. He is said to have been the first to make briar pipes in England. Richard Hacker maintains that theatre people from the West End were among the shop's heyday aficionados. Loewe's spigots are especially well regarded by lovers of elegance today - they were originally introduced for practical reasons, to facilitate the production of replacement stems for customers abroad. The firm and its facilities were later taken over by Civic, well before becoming a fully integrated part of the Cadogan group sometime in the final quarter of the twentieth century. As with other brands belonging to this group, it is not easy to pinpoint a date marking the end of Loewe's independence and singularity. This is partly due to Cadogan's own development from a cooperative to a monolithic entity. | Haymarket 62, London. He is said to have been the first to make briar pipes in England. Richard Hacker maintains that theatre people from the West End were among the shop's heyday aficionados. Loewe's spigots are especially well regarded by lovers of elegance today - they were originally introduced for practical reasons, to facilitate the production of replacement stems for customers abroad. | ||
The firm and its facilities were later taken over by Civic, well before becoming a fully integrated part of the Cadogan group sometime in the final quarter of the twentieth century. As with other brands belonging to this group, it is not easy to pinpoint a date marking the end of Loewe's independence and singularity. This is partly due to Cadogan's own development from a cooperative to a monolithic entity. | |||
In 1979, a German paperback said that the Loewe brand had been discontinued two years | In 1979, a German paperback said that the Loewe brand had been discontinued two years | ||
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French Loewes in the early 1980s is a sign that Loewes were being produced in more than one | French Loewes in the early 1980s is a sign that Loewes were being produced in more than one | ||
place at some stage before the Cadogan-era proper. | place at some stage before the Cadogan-era proper. | ||
From what I can gather, Cardogan's various brands continued to be made in separate facilities | From what I can gather, Cardogan's various brands continued to be made in separate facilities | ||
throughout the1970s. It was the purchase of Orlik in 1980 that enabled the Cadogan group to | throughout the1970s. It was the purchase of Orlik in 1980 that enabled the Cadogan group to | ||
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1980s. Of course, today's 'Loewes' are definitely made in Southend - though, according to | 1980s. Of course, today's 'Loewes' are definitely made in Southend - though, according to | ||
Cardogan, the trademark is no longer used very much. | Cardogan, the trademark is no longer used very much. | ||
Collectibility | |||
== Collectibility == | |||
As with most brands now owned by Cadogan, the collector's emphasis is on finding pieces made | As with most brands now owned by Cadogan, the collector's emphasis is on finding pieces made | ||
before the consolidation of the group's production in the Southend factory. It is generally agreed, | before the consolidation of the group's production in the Southend factory. It is generally agreed, | ||
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'original' on the estate market often involves blind trust in a vendor's word — or in one's own | 'original' on the estate market often involves blind trust in a vendor's word — or in one's own | ||
ability to assess a pipe's quality from a couple of photos on Ebay. | ability to assess a pipe's quality from a couple of photos on Ebay. | ||
Mounted Loewes are thus the most valued, since the hallmarks on their silver bands offer an | Mounted Loewes are thus the most valued, since the hallmarks on their silver bands offer an | ||
indication of age. Other pipes bearing the 'L&Co' logo are impossible to date as exactly as older | indication of age. Other pipes bearing the 'L&Co' logo are impossible to date as exactly as older | ||
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documented. By contrast, the various owners of the Loewe trademark appear to have adhered to | documented. By contrast, the various owners of the Loewe trademark appear to have adhered to | ||
the original patterns rather consistently. | the original patterns rather consistently. | ||
With help from members of the pipe-smokers' newsgroups ASP and DAFT (Germany), I have | With help from members of the pipe-smokers' newsgroups ASP and DAFT (Germany), I have | ||
looked into ways of rectifying this situation. We have come a little closer to dating Loewe pipes | looked into ways of rectifying this situation. We have come a little closer to dating Loewe pipes | ||
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clearly marking the beginning or end of a certain stamping policy — and also more insights into | clearly marking the beginning or end of a certain stamping policy — and also more insights into | ||
ownership and location issues. | ownership and location issues. | ||
To an extent, Cadogan have been helpful with information, but they have not answered historical | To an extent, Cadogan have been helpful with information, but they have not answered historical | ||
questions. Also, their stamping philosophy really adds to the confusion. For example, they still | questions. Also, their stamping philosophy really adds to the confusion. For example, they still | ||
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possibly two. The results of our collected research are still not comprehensive and the hope | possibly two. The results of our collected research are still not comprehensive and the hope | ||
remains that someone will provide the information necessary to fill in the blanks. | remains that someone will provide the information necessary to fill in the blanks. | ||
Aspects of Dating | |||
== Aspects of Dating == | |||
The period of transitions — and therefore of interest, here — begins some time after 1960. | The period of transitions — and therefore of interest, here — begins some time after 1960. | ||
Around that year, the pipes were still being made in the Haymarket building, though - of course - | Around that year, the pipes were still being made in the Haymarket building, though - of course - | ||