Mauro Cateni

We previously reported that there were unconfirmed stories Mauro Cateni was an actual pipe maker who displayed his pipes at shows, but no one could verify having actually seen him, let alone having purchased a pipe from him. Thanks to information uncovered by Stefan Petzuch and Jens Olaf Stehr, we can now confirm that Mauro Cateni was simply branding, and not an actual pipe maker.

Stefan Petzuch recently bought a group of estate pipes, including a Mauro Cateni. While they were researching, Jens Olaf discovered the German trademark registry shows that "Mauro Cateni" was registered as a trademark for "pipes and other smoking articles, imported from and exported to Italian speaking areas" in 1979 by a then German tobacco wholesaler named Gebr. Heinemann KG in Hamburg. It was extended once in 1999 and discontinued at request of the brand owner in 2010.[1]

Pipephil references the known line names of Mauro Cateni pipes as: Brulio, Classica, Gialla, Nuova Rossa [2].

The origins and relative merits of Mauro Cateni pipes have been difficult to nail down. This is not unusual in the pipe world, of course, but this brand having been named after a person, one would assume that person was either a pipe maker, or somehow affiliated with the company making the pipes. We can finally confirm that this is not the case with Mauro Cateni.

The following are three critiques on the relative merits of these pipes. As you will see, these pipes are enjoyed by one, avoided by another, while the third finds middle ground between the extremes.

Experience one:

"Many Mauro Cateni pipes display quite shameless putty fillings. So it is hard to believe that someone might have thought he might carve himself a good reputation with such pipes. Even harder to believe that an acknowledged pipemaker would have taken the risk to ruin his reputation offering such putty monsters! (Even though these pipes received many friendly critics on their overall workmanship and smoking abilities.)

Generally speaking, the Italian pipe making scene offers such a wealth of good to very good to excellent pipes that there is really no need to spend money on a more or less obscure "Mauro Cateni"."

Experience two:

"I am not of the opinion of these comments. over a long period as a pipe collector at least 50 pipes of this brand went through my hands. Not a single one was "shameless putty filled". Most of these pipes with a good grain, sometimes very fine straight grain, stem mostly hand-cut. No exceptional pipes but worth to look for. Mostly not expensive. I can´t understand the comments written above."

Experience three: by Stefan Petzuch (who has also clarified the mystery of the brand's origins)

About the pipe: I agree with both reviews in the article. The pipe I have is a fine piece, nice grain, handcut stem and properly built. But it has a huge putty spot on the bowl (see images).

• Example, courtesy Stefan Petzuch
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  A nice shape with very good grain

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  Note the sizable fill in the front of the bowl

SYSOP's Note: Thanks to everyone who contributed to this article over the years. The evolution from general speculation to emerging facts shows the power of collaboration facilitated by the wiki concept. If you have any further information on this brand, or who made the pipes for Gebr. Heinemann KG, please add it here, or send it to sethile.pipes@gmail.com and we can add them for you.