Maxim

The Maxim brand was produced for whole sale company Terella in Hamburg. Terella delivers the Wolsdorff tobaconnist's chain throughout Germany. These pipes were made by Oldenkott and today by Design Berlin

There is further information in a German newsgroup: http://groups.google.de/group/de.alt.fan.tabak/browse_frm/thread/fcec5dc080b23db 4/e04ead5312011843?lnk=st&q=maxim+pfeifen&rnum=2&hl=de#e04ead5312011843

I summarize/translate:

The Maxim label was (and still, though in lower quantity) is produced for whole sale company Terella in Hamburg. That company delivers (though not exclusively) to shops of the Wolsdorff tobaconnist's chain throughout Germany. For a long period, these pipes were made by Oldenkott company, and even long after Oldenkott was closed down, there were pipes from their production around. Today these pipes are preferably made by Design Berlin. Among Wolsdorff staff these pipes do not enjoy the best of reputations. They are somewhat labled to be 'too low quality for way too much money'"

To further elaborate on the companies mentioned: Oldenkott was the second most important pipe maker in Germany (after Vauen) till it closed down in 1992. Their pipes enjoyed - and still enjoy - a very good reputation among pipe smokers. Having a chance today of getting one of them from the old supplies, it is recommended to take the chance. (Unfortunately, the source of this recommendation is only in German, from a pipe smoking newsgroup's web site: http://www.daft.de/pfeifen/oldenkott/)

The other company mentioned, Design Berlin, is still around and they also have a good reputation.