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The Early Dunhill OD: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "'''THE EARLY DUNHILL OD, © JOHN C LORING:''' ''Used by permission'' <br> ''Contributed by Jean-Christophe Bienfait'' == Introduction == Traditionally the “OD” has been t...") |
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If we are not quite sure when the line began or what it was intended to be our knowledge doesn’t get much better when we try to define what it actually was before 1953. Generally our knowledge of Dunhill pipes comes from reviewing both catalogues and surviving pipes. But unfortunately, when it comes to ODs prior to 1953 we find only isolated catalogue references and few surviving examples. Still there are some references, some examples and some other source material and in this paper I will try to patch these together, all the while recognizing that like all such efforts in time there will be revisions. | If we are not quite sure when the line began or what it was intended to be our knowledge doesn’t get much better when we try to define what it actually was before 1953. Generally our knowledge of Dunhill pipes comes from reviewing both catalogues and surviving pipes. But unfortunately, when it comes to ODs prior to 1953 we find only isolated catalogue references and few surviving examples. Still there are some references, some examples and some other source material and in this paper I will try to patch these together, all the while recognizing that like all such efforts in time there will be revisions. | ||
In this paper I will suggest four relatively new, perhaps controversial, thoughts leading to the conclusion that the ‘Modern ODA Line’ began in 1953. First, that due to economic circumstances there was never an OD retail pipe line as such prior to World War II. Second, that the post war ‘ODA’ pipe line that we all know wasn’t Dunhill’s initial post war objective, but rather came about in the fluidity of a changing customer base and competition. Third, that in the post WWII period smooth finished oversized standard shape pipes, ‘semi-giants’, were uniformly stamped ODB rather then ODA only because of the then high cost of Italian briar. And fourth, that in 1951 and 1952 ‘semi-giant’ Shell finished pipes were not considered part of the post-war OD line. Lastly, the reader may perceive a veiled suggestion that Dunhill might be viewed as the pre WWII parent of the high grade ‘Free Hand’ briar pipe – that should raise some hackles. | In this paper I will suggest four relatively new, perhaps controversial, thoughts leading to the conclusion that the ‘Modern ODA Line’ began in 1953. First, that due to economic circumstances there was never an OD retail pipe line as such prior to World War II. Second, that the post war ‘ODA’ pipe line that we all know wasn’t Dunhill’s initial post war objective, but rather came about in the fluidity of a changing customer base and competition. Third, that in the post WWII period smooth finished oversized standard shape pipes, ‘semi-giants’, were uniformly stamped ODB rather then ODA only because of the then high cost of Italian briar. And fourth, that in 1951 and 1952 ‘semi-giant’ Shell finished pipes were not considered part of the post-war OD line. Lastly, the reader may perceive a veiled suggestion that Dunhill might be viewed as the pre WWII parent of the high grade ‘Free Hand’ briar pipe – that should raise some hackles. | ||
Back to Loring's articles [https://pipedia.org/wiki/Dunhill#John_C._Loring_Articles '''here'''] | |||
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== PRE WORLD WAR II == | == PRE WORLD WAR II == | ||
From inception Dunhill was an innovative pipe maker, not only in terms of mechanics but also in terms of design. The non standard letter shapes of the 1910s, the “LB” billiard, the “R” pot, the “P” bent bulldog and the “K” apple quickly became important standard shapes of the 1920s and after. And the quaint shapes of the 1920s likewise found a welcoming audience: | From inception Dunhill was an innovative pipe maker, not only in terms of mechanics but also in terms of design. The non standard letter shapes of the 1910s, the “LB” billiard, the “R” pot, the “P” bent bulldog and the “K” apple quickly became important standard shapes of the 1920s and after. And the quaint shapes of the 1920s likewise found a welcoming audience: | ||