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==An Introduction to the modern Peterson Pipes==
==Peterson Time Line==
 
For the sake of simplicity and aiding our purpose of ascertaining a more meaningful systematic
approach,I will keep the Peterson story time- line basic and simple.
 
I appreciate that amongst Peterson aficionados, that the following is my interpretation and is open to
debate!
 
We will look at the following historical periods in sequential isolation and in more detail.
*'''''1865 – 1915 Patent Era'''''
*'''''1915 – 1949 Pre Republic Era'''''
*'''''1895 – 1970 London Made'''''
*'''''1950 – Present , Made in the Republic of Ireland'''''
 
===1865 – 1915 Patent Era Pipes===
If I was asked if there was one single reason that motivates me to continue collecting Peterson
pipes, I would most probably respond that it was their evocative and marvellous design history.
Which to my mind,as a self confessed old romantic, opens a portal to more elegant times past and
established Peterson as one of the forerunners of the classic pipe designs of today.
In 1865 Charles Peterson opened a small tobacco shop in Dublin. Ten years later in 1875, Peterson
approached the Kapp brothers, with a completely new innovative pipe design and with this, a very
long-lived partnership was formed, Kapp & Peterson. Their new pipe design resulted in the now
famous Peterson Patented System Smoking Pipe. By the 1890's , Kapp & Peterson were one of the
most respected pipe and tobacco manufacturers in Europe and America.
 
The original patent was issued in Great Britain and Ireland on Aug. 8, 1890, and in France on Jan.
22, '''1891'''.<br>
On May 1, '''1894''', U.S. Patent 519,135 was issued to Peterson for his unique construction of a pipe
and mouthpiece, described as a “certain new and useful Improvement in Tobacco-Pipes,” that’s
come to be known as the Peterson System pipe.<br>
In '''1898''' another of Peterson's innovative pipe inventions became available, the Peterson-Lip (P-Lip)
mouthpiece, designed to offset the inhaled smoke to the roof of the mouth,thus avoiding tongue
bite.<br>
Later in the Introduction text,we will go into more detail on the P-lip and system pipes.
 
For collectors the Patent Era appears to have been from K&P's formation in '''1875''', until the
expiration of the patent; through to approximately '''1910'''. The late Mike Leverette in his 'A Peterson
Dating Guide' extended this period to 1922.<br>
I would suggest keeping the period 1875 to 1910 as the true 'Patent era'. From my humble
observations the Patent stamping on pipes from that time, was more apparent and attributable with
some degree of accuracy. Peterson pipes made during the majority of this period had no "Country of
Manufacture" (COM) stamped on them. However, later in this period, say around 1915/16, they
began stamping their pipes "Made in Ireland" in a block format.<br>
I must admit I am really into this particular period of Peterson's pipe production and the pipes that
were produced during that era. When I go through the old catalogues, it is like being a big kid all
over again,drooling over illustrations and line drawings of pipes which I long to hold and admire. I
know ,go see a psychologist and get help,however I do not want help, I want the 'fine madness' to
continue. Owning such pipes is like having access to time capsules.<br>
Attached, are photos of examples of Peterson Patent pipes from my own collection.
 
===1915 – 1949 Pre-Republic Era Pipes===
The pre-republic Peterson's are often considered to be 'special'.They hark back to a time when
quality briar was in abundance and craftsmanship was of the highest level.<br>
Like all collecting desirables, pre-republic pipes now are relatively hard to come by, with
availability declining with each passing year. The amazing thing that I find with pre-Republic's is
the consistently high smoking qualities that they show,regardless of being a high or low grade issue.
No it is not that I am looking through rose tinted glasses and being sentimental,they really were
very well made. I base my judgement on owning and smoking quite a few of them.
 
For the purpose of this exercise,and bearing in mind the eccentric vagaries of Peterson
nomenclature,I am suggesting that an acceptable criteria or starting point for when the Pre Republic
era begins and ends,requires a short historical resume.:-
 
The Irish Free State came into being in December 1922. The British sovereign, as King of Ireland,
was nominal head of state, but Ireland was a republic in all but name.<br>
An entirely new constitution was voted by the Irish people in 1937, with provision for a President
Of Ireland as head of state. Therefore, Ireland became a republic in 1937, but was not called that. It
was called simply EIRE (Ireland in Irish.)<br>
When, in 1945, the British government inquired of prime minister Eamon de Valera weather he
intended to proclaim a republic, his answer was: "we '''are''' a republic", having refused to say so
before for eight years. This was news to the British: when George VI ascended the British throne in
1936, he had been crowned King of Ireland, as well, little knowing that there no longer was a
Kingdom of Ireland!
 
The ''Republic of Ireland Act'' of 1948 officially changed the name of the country to The Republic of
Ireland.
 
As usual when trying to get accurate facts in regard to Peterson history,something will jump up and
get in the way. They are missing many of their records. The following is the best that we can do for
a guide to the myriad markings during the period 1922 – 1949.<br>
Prior to 1920 it was rare for a country of origin to be stamped on the pipe, just Peterson's Dublin on
the band. After 1921/22,If it is stamped "MADE IN IRELAND" and the "Made in" is stacked over
"Ireland" or "MADE IN EIRE" or several other forms, it was made between 1922 and 1938. A
considerable number of Peterson pipes were stamped "Irish Free State". From about 1930 to 1949,
most of the pipes (those which were stamped) were stamped "Made in Ireland"." If the stamp reads
"MADE IN IRELAND" in a circle, the pipe was made between 1939 and 1948. These are all "prerepublic"
pipes. I can tell you that the mark "Irish Free State" was adopted in 1922;and replaced by
"Eire" in 1937 and then by "Republic of Ireland" in 1949.
 
Phew! So there you have it. easy and straight forward,oh yeah!
 
Peterson initially graded their mass -produced System pipes, i.e., regular catalogue pipes (in
descending order) "Deluxe," "First Quality," "0" grade, "2nd grade," and "3rd grade."<br>
You will also find old Peterson Systems stamped System 4 or System 5. The shape number is also
indicative of briar quality; for example,- 364 is Peterson's 3rd quality shape number (the 2nd quality
sister pipe is a 314.)
 
Sometime in the 1940s they introduced the "Premier" and "Standard" stampings. The "Premier"
falling just under the "Deluxe," and the "Standard" becoming the former "2nd grade" quality.
 
The stampings on the silver bands are "faux" hallmarks and are just decorative symbols of
Ireland ... a Shamrock,a wolfhound , and a castle or tower.
 
In regard to the silver and nickel markings of this period,well nu-ff said,it is a blooming minefield!
 
Hallmarks are only required on precious metals not nickel. Also a pipe made in England must meet
English requirements which now (and for a number of years)are only 925 for sterling. This is an EU
standard I believe. The shamrock, wolfhound and tower are not hallmarks. Dublin hallmarks for
sterling are Hibernia, lyre and a letter denoting the year. They are still required for silver and gold in
Ireland.<br>
On the faux "hallmarks" v Dublin silver hallmarks. There are many Peterson pipes with sterling
silver bands that do not have hallmarks though, even some in the Premier and Deluxe grades.
Here is some additional information from my old friends Chuck Wright and Ed Mc Mullen that may
help clarify.
 
'''Chuck quote:-'''<br>
::“I have many, many Petersons stamped "sterling silver" on the band that lack
::hallmarks. There is no question about it. I don't know if it is silver-plated and still stamped sterling
::silver or what. I have a pipe that is a System Premier stamped "sterling silver" but without
::hallmarks. I am looking at it with a 15X loupe, and it never had any hallmarks. I have found if they
::have the "K" & "P" in shields on the band, they often lack hallmarks.<br>
::it was my understanding that the sheets and tubes of silver were purchased by Peterson, stamped
::with the maker's mark, and then sent to the assay office. The assay office then would return the
::hallmarked tubes and sheets for the Peterson silversmiths to use”.
 
'''Ed quote:-'''<br>
::“I am only talking about Pre-Republic pipes made in Ireland; all of the Petersons made
::in England I have with silver bands have London hallmarks on them.<br>
::Peterson know very little about the history of their pipes; I have spoken at length to Tom Palmer of
::Peterson, and they just do not have records, or really much knowledge, about Peterson pipes prior
::to 1980.<br>
::I own about 250 hallmarked Petersons dated between 1890 and 1939, and I have probably another
::50 Pre-republic pieces that are stamped "Sterling Silver" but never had hallmarks. Oddly, almost
::all of the old, hallmarked Petersons I own are not stamped "Sterling Silver." I also have maybe 100
::Republic pieces that bear Dublin hallmarks, and just a few that are stamped 'Sterling Silver" but
::have no hallmarks. Many of these are un-smoked, so there is no chance the hallmarks have worn
::off. I think the inconsistency has something to do with the "Sterling Silver" stamp; I have an idea of
::someone who will know the answer to this question.<br>
::You are correct about inconsistency being more the rule than the exception regarding pipe
::nomenclature and stamping. I have been working on a guide for old Peterson pipes for several
::years, and they changed their stampings and grading systems often, and offered many special
::pieces and oddball lines, even in the old days. It is all part of the joy of collecting”.
 
I have included some photo examples from my humble collection of pre Republics. I hope you
enjoy the viewing.
 
===1895 – 1970 London Made Pipes===
English made Peterson pipes actually spanned the period between the pre-Republic and Republic
eras. In 1895, Peterson opened a shop in London England that lasted until the late 1960s. So the
English Era, for a simplified date, will be from 1895 through to around1970. The stamps Peterson
used in London and that we have seen are:
*Made in England - block format
*Made in England - circle format
*Made in London
*Made in London England
*Simply, London England
*Great Britain
Though there are a couple of more, the above will give one the general idea. We believe the earliest
stamp of this era was the "Made in England" in a block format since Peterson was using the "Made
in Ireland" block format at about the same time on their Irish production pipes. The "Made in
England" circle format was used during the same time frame as the "Made in Eire" and "Made in
Ireland" circle formats.<br>
As one can see this is pretty straightforward but there have been inconsistencies within this method
of stamping. Peterson was never very energetic in removing their old stamps from the work stations
so the older stamps can and did cross-over into the newer Era's.
 
Some Peterson smokers in the know prefer the smoking quality of the Peterson London factory
pipes over those produced in Dublin.
 
The London office and Factory was located at 74/77 White Lion Street. There is some speculation
as to when it may have closed and stopped production.(80's?) I have copies of two English Peterson
pipe catalogues,one is dated 1962 and the later one is dated 1965.<br>
Here are some sample pipe photos from those London made pipes in my collection.
 
===1950 – Present day===
====An Introduction to the modern Peterson Pipes====
As an avid Peterson pipe enthusiast and collector, I am amazed at how little has been written in the
As an avid Peterson pipe enthusiast and collector, I am amazed at how little has been written in the
past to chronicle the Peterson pipe history and the story of it's evolution. When I first started out
past to chronicle the Peterson pipe history and the story of it's evolution. When I first started out
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enthusiasts,especially the new Peterson pipe owner or collector.
enthusiasts,especially the new Peterson pipe owner or collector.


===Guide Listings of the Peterson modern series===  
====Guide Listings of the Peterson modern series====  
'''''1950 onwards.- Made in the Republic of Ireland'''''<br>
'''''1950 onwards.- Made in the Republic of Ireland'''''<br>
The following lists and groupings are hopefully a tool to make it easier to come to terms with the
The following lists and groupings are hopefully a tool to make it easier to come to terms with the
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'''To be Continued'''<br>
'''To be Continued'''<br>
'''''Peterson Patent Era Pipes'''''<br>
'''''Peterson Pre Republic Pipes'''''<br>
'''''Peterson English made Pipes'''''<br>
'''''Peterson System Pipes'''''<br>
'''''Peterson System Pipes'''''<br>
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