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According to one edition of the Official Catalogue of the Great Exhibition of the Works of
According to one edition of the ''Official Catalogue of the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations 1851'', Barling exhibited eight meerschaum pipes. A different Exhibition catalog had this entry: “Miscellaneous Manufactures and Small Wares: Barling &amp; Sons, 142 High
Industry of All Nations 1851, Barling exhibited eight meerschaum pipes. A different Exhibition
catalog had this entry: “Miscellaneous Manufactures and Small Wares: Barling &amp; Sons, 142 High
St., Camden Town, Des. And Manu.—Silver-mounted meerschaum smoking pipes.” Was this pipe one of the eight? I had my doubts, because it raises an obvious question: had both meerschaums—a period pipe for sale to the public and a very ornately-carved one associated
St., Camden Town, Des. And Manu.—Silver-mounted meerschaum smoking pipes.” Was this pipe one of the eight? I had my doubts, because it raises an obvious question: had both meerschaums—a period pipe for sale to the public and a very ornately-carved one associated
with the Great Exhibition—been produced around the same time and, as importantly, what was
with the Great Exhibition—been produced around the same time and, as importantly, what was
their respective provenance? I looked for evidence. An article in the May 12, 1951 The
their respective provenance? I looked for evidence. An article in the May 12, 1951 ''The illustrated London News'' mentions “A silver-mounted and engraved meerschaum pipe, with
illustrated London News mentions “A silver-mounted and engraved meerschaum pipe, with
cherry and amber stem and polished barrel. It was originally shown by Benjamin Barling and
cherry and amber stem and polished barrel. It was originally shown by Benjamin Barling and
Sons.” But where and when? I could not access the complete article, but this description
Sons.” But where and when? I could not access the complete article, but this description
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Now to the catalog that’s been a Web hot topic since the Bonhams’ auction: the 28-page
Now to the catalog that’s been a Web hot topic since the Bonhams’ auction: the 28-page ''International Exhibition, London, 1851. Barling’s Celebrated Registered EB WB Briar Pipes.'' A caption under the image of the catalog on pipdia.org reads: “B. Barling &amp; Sons catalogue of pipes—Printed by Unwin Brothers—The Gresham Press—likely dated 1914, Courtesy Jesse Silver.” (Silver was the first to reprint it, Briar Books Press did a second reprint.) Strange, indeed, is that this stag-hunt meerschaum pipe is not illustrated on the cover, nor inside the catalog, nor given honorable mention. What appears on the cover is the following:
International Exhibition, London, 1851. Barling’s Celebrated Registered EB WB Briar Pipes. A
caption under the image of the catalog on pipdia.org reads: “B. Barling &amp; Sons catalogue of
pipes—Printed by Unwin Brothers—The Gresham Press—likely dated 1914, Courtesy Jesse
Silver.” (Silver was the first to reprint it, Briar Books Press did a second reprint.) Strange,
indeed, is that this stag-hunt meerschaum pipe is not illustrated on the cover, nor inside the
catalog, nor given honorable mention. What appears on the cover is the following:




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Now to my original interest, how many pipe makers exhibited and what did they exhibit.
Now to my original interest, how many pipe makers exhibited and what did they exhibit. The challenge was to search every available catalog (the ''Official Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue''… consisted of five volumes), other editions, and every version published by or for the Exhibition sponsors. Not all were available to me, so it was impossible to find every tobacco pipe manufacturer who participated. More frustrating was the fact that I encountered information inconsistencies between and among the various catalogs; what pipes were exhibited or who were the exhibitors depended on the catalog accessed. For example, in the ''Official Catalogue of the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851. Part I. Alphabetical Index of Contributors and Whose Names Appear In The Catalogue'', on page 12, there is “Barling &amp; Sons.” Barling is also listed in Part II. ''Alphabetical and Classified List Of Articles Contained In The Official Catalogue'', under “Meerschaum Pipes,” but under “Tobacco Pipes, Bowls, Tubes, &amp;c.,” Barling is not.  
The challenge was to search every available catalog (the ''Official Descriptive and Illustrated
''The Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851 Reports by the Juries of the Subjects in the Thirty Classes Into Which The Exhibition Was Divided'' (1852) identifies all the pipe-exhibitor awardees: Barling is not among them.
Catalogue''… consisted of five volumes), other editions, and every version published by or for the
Exhibition sponsors. Not all were available to me, so it was impossible to find every tobacco
pipe manufacturer who participated. More frustrating was the fact that I encountered
information inconsistencies between and among the various catalogs; what pipes were
exhibited or who were the exhibitors depended on the catalog accessed. For example, in the
''Official Catalogue of the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851. Part I.
Alphabetical Index of Contributors and Whose Names Appear In The Catalogue'', on page 12,
there is “Barling &amp; Sons.” Barling is also listed in Part II. Alphabetical and Classified List Of
Articles Contained In The Official Catalogue, under “Meerschaum Pipes,” but under “Tobacco
Pipes, Bowls, Tubes, &amp;c.,” Barling is not. The 'Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations,
1851 Reports by the Juries of the Subjects in the Thirty Classes Into Which The Exhibition Was
Divided'' (1852) identifies all the pipe-exhibitor awardees: Barling is not among them.




It was also difficult to weave together the many disparate entries from so many catalogs and
It was also difficult to weave together the many disparate entries from so many catalogs and
reports into a coherent narrative, so what you will encounter, organizationally, is a patchwork
reports into a coherent narrative, so what you will encounter, organizationally, is a patchwork
… all the relevant pieces and parts I discovered that, together, tell a story, not the story.
… all the relevant pieces and parts I discovered that, together, tell a story, not ''the'' story.




Robert Hunt, ed., ''Hunt’s Hand-Book to the Official Catalogues: An Explanatory Guide to the
Robert Hunt, ed., ''Hunt’s Hand-Book to the Official Catalogues: An Explanatory Guide to the Natural Productions and Manufactures of the Great Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations'', Vol. II (1851):
Natural Productions and Manufactures of the Great Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations'',
Vol. II (1851):


“Tobacco-pipes, &amp;c. (65.)—Richly ornamented pipe-bowls are shown, decorated with figures of
“Tobacco-pipes, &amp;c. (65.)—Richly ornamented pipe-bowls are shown, decorated with figures of
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exhibition catalog that I accessed. You probably will not recognize most of the manufacturers,
exhibition catalog that I accessed. You probably will not recognize most of the manufacturers,
but the array essentially consisted of meerschaums, clays, and narghiles.
but the array essentially consisted of meerschaums, clays, and narghiles.
Name Description of exhibits
 


{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto;"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto;"
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|Tobacco pipes (Turkish clay); genuine meerschaums
|Tobacco pipes (Turkish clay); genuine meerschaums
|-
|-
|Joseph Wojtech, Vienna Pipe-tubes of wood, of various kinds
|Joseph Wojtech, Vienna  
|Pipe-tubes of wood, of various kinds
|-
|-
|J. Yerbury, England  
|J. Yerbury, England  
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*The Barling stag hunt meerschaum pipe is not one of the eight pipes.
*The Barling stag hunt meerschaum pipe is not one of the eight pipes.


My best source for identifying the pipe awardees was not any of the Exhibition catalogs, but an
obscure 32-page monograph, ''The Great London Exhibition''. 1851. Awards. Published for the
Subscribers to Galignani’s Messenger'' (1851). “The number of pipe and amber exhibitors is
forty-nine: 10 holders of a Prize Medal; 18 who received honorable mention; 21 unrewarded.
Two types of bronze medals were created: the Prize medal (busts of Queen Victoria and Prince
Albert, two dolphins and a trident on the obverse; Britannia and attendants on the reverse),
and the Council medal (busts of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on the obverse; Britannia and
Mercury, the Roman God of Commerce, on the reverse); 2,918 Prize Medals were awarded; 170
exhibitors earned the highest and rarest Council Medal for outstanding achievements or
contributions. A recipient of honorable mention meant that the exhibitor fell short of meeting
the workmanship or innovation standards set for the award of a medal. ''The Industry of Nations,
as Exemplified in the Great Exhibition of 1851. The Materials of Industry'' (1852) lists awards for
the category “Miscellaneous Manufactures,” which included tobacco pipes; England received
four Council medals, 142 Prize medals, and 100 Honourable mention, information that is not
exhibitor-specific. Not surprisingly, these numbers do not comport with the following table. The
Jurors Medal was given to all the members of the Jury who judged the exhibits, and Prince


Albert was awarded a Great Medal of Achievement. More than 600 American exhibitors
My best source for identifying the pipe awardees was not any of the Exhibition catalogs, but an obscure 32-page monograph, ''The Great London Exhibition. 1851. Awards. Published for the Subscribers to Galignani’s Messenger'' (1851). “The number of pipe and amber exhibitors is forty-nine: 10 holders of a Prize Medal; 18 who received honorable mention; 21 unrewarded. Two types of bronze medals were created: the Prize medal (busts of Queen Victoria and Prince
participated and, of the 170 medals awarded by the Council of the Great Exhibition, five were
Albert, two dolphins and a trident on the obverse; Britannia and attendants on the reverse), and the Council medal (busts of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on the obverse; Britannia and Mercury, the Roman God of Commerce, on the reverse); 2,918 Prize Medals were awarded; 170 exhibitors earned the highest and rarest Council Medal for outstanding achievements or contributions. A recipient of honorable mention meant that the exhibitor fell short of meeting the workmanship or innovation standards set for the award of a medal. ''The Industry of Nations, as Exemplified in the Great Exhibition of 1851. The Materials of Industry'' (1852) lists awards for the category “Miscellaneous Manufactures,” which included tobacco pipes; England received
four Council medals, 142 Prize medals, and 100 Honourable mention, information that is not exhibitor-specific. Not surprisingly, these numbers do not comport with the following table. The Jurors Medal was given to all the members of the Jury who judged the exhibits, and Prince Albert was awarded a Great Medal of Achievement. More than 600 American exhibitors participated and, of the 170 medals awarded by the Council of the Great Exhibition, five were
awarded to American exhibits, none of which was for pipes.
awarded to American exhibits, none of which was for pipes.


There’s evidence of a degree of prejudice regarding awards for the pipe exhibitors that may
 
have influenced who and how many received recognition: “Many months before the opening of
There’s evidence of a degree of prejudice regarding awards for the pipe exhibitors that may have influenced who and how many received recognition: “Many months before the opening of the Exhibition we had ourselves put forth a plan which (whatever might have been its faults) at least possessed comprehensive substantiality, and would, if acted upon, have prevented the possibility of a tobacco pipe carrying off as great a reward as a mariner’s compass. …For our
the Exhibition we had ourselves put forth a plan which (whatever might have been its faults) at
part, we do not go so far, but think that, if a definite plan had been determined on, and made known to the exhibitors, a far more satisfactory result would have been arrived at in the distribution of awards than is now attained.” (“The Industrial Exhibition. General Remarks,” ''The London Journal of Arts, Sciences, and Manufactures, and Repertory of Patent Inventions'', 1851).
least possessed comprehensive substantiality, and would, if acted upon, have prevented the
 
possibility of a tobacco pipe carrying off as great a reward as a mariner’s compass. …For our
part, we do not go so far, but think that, if a definite plan had been determined on, and made
known to the exhibitors, a far more satisfactory result would have been arrived at in the
distribution of awards than is now attained.” (“The Industrial Exhibition. General Remarks,” ''The
London Journal of Arts, Sciences, and Manufactures, and Repertory of Patent Inventions'', 1851).


{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto;"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto;"
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|A meerschaum Pipe-bowl and two Cigar-tubes, the carving of which is very sharp and spirited
|A meerschaum Pipe-bowl and two Cigar-tubes, the carving of which is very sharp and spirited
|-
|-
Ludwig Hartmann, Austria  
|Ludwig Hartmann, Austria  
|Council medal  
|Council medal  
|Very large collection of well-made Mouth-pieces of amber, mother-of-pearl, bone, and wood; meerschaum Pipe-bowls and Cigar-tubes
|Very large collection of well-made Mouth-pieces of amber, mother-of-pearl, bone, and wood; meerschaum Pipe-bowls and Cigar-tubes
|-
|-
Henderson, Montreal  
|Henderson, Montreal  
|Honourable mention  
|Honourable mention  
|Well-made Clay-Pipes
|Well-made Clay-Pipes
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|Pipe bowls in massa  
|Pipe bowls in massa  
|}
|}


Assorted brass, wood, nickel silver pipe cases and silver vesta cases, cigar accessories and other smoking accouterments were on display, but I do not include any of those exhibitors.  
Assorted brass, wood, nickel silver pipe cases and silver vesta cases, cigar accessories and other smoking accouterments were on display, but I do not include any of those exhibitors.  
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Chewing tobacco was a favorite of the attendees. All these exhibitors were situated in the
Chewing tobacco was a favorite of the attendees. All these exhibitors were situated in the
Agricultural Hall.
Agricultural Hall.


Parenthetically, this exhibition set the example for a multitude of national, international, and
Parenthetically, this exhibition set the example for a multitude of national, international, and
regional exhibitions that followed in which many more pipe manufacturers from the far reaches
regional exhibitions that followed in which many more pipe manufacturers from the far reaches
of the globe participated, with the most frequent being five Exposition Universelle in Paris, the
of the globe participated, with the most frequent being five ''Exposition Universelle'' in Paris, the
first in 1855. Inspired by London’s Great Exhibition, a little-known, near-forgotten “Crystal
first in 1855. Inspired by London’s Great Exhibition, a little-known, near-forgotten “Crystal
Palace—The Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations“—the first World’s Fair held in the United
Palace—The Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations“—the first World’s Fair held in the United
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amber (J. Zettler, Vienna); and nargeles (Turkey). Like London’s Crystal Palace, it was destroyed
amber (J. Zettler, Vienna); and nargeles (Turkey). Like London’s Crystal Palace, it was destroyed
by fire in October 1858.
by fire in October 1858.


Now to revisit the Barling meerschaum pipe that continues to echo this notion about an award
Now to revisit the Barling meerschaum pipe that continues to echo this notion about an award
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and some recent online pronouncements, nearly all lacking proof.
and some recent online pronouncements, nearly all lacking proof.


Peter Davey (ed.), ''The Archaeology of The Clay Tobacco Pipe IX. More Pipes from the Midlands
 
and Southern England'' (1985): “Benjamin Barling &amp; Sons seem to have specialized in
Peter Davey (ed.), ''The Archaeology of The Clay Tobacco Pipe IX. More Pipes from the Midlands and Southern England'' (1985): “Benjamin Barling &amp; Sons seem to have specialized in meerschaum pipes, for they had a stand at the 1851 Great Exhibition where they exhibited ‘an
meerschaum pipes, for they had a stand at the 1851 Great Exhibition where they exhibited ‘an
assortment of silver mounted meerschaum pipes.’”
assortment of silver mounted meerschaum pipes.’”


John Culme, The Directory of Gold &amp; Silversmiths (1987): “At the Great Exhibition of 1851,
 
John Culme, ''The Directory of Gold &amp; Silversmiths'' (1987): “At the Great Exhibition of 1851,
Benjamin Barling &amp; Sons, described as designers and manufacturers, showed 1. Silver-
Benjamin Barling &amp; Sons, described as designers and manufacturers, showed 1. Silver-
mounted meerschaum smoking pipe, chased, engine-turned, and engraved top, oak border.”
mounted meerschaum smoking pipe, chased, engine-turned, and engraved top, oak border.”
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Facebook (Wombell’s Auctioneers, November 25, 2016): “In recognition of the excellence of
Facebook (Wombell’s Auctioneers, November 25, 2016): “In recognition of the excellence of
their work, Barling’s were offered the opportunity to exhibit at the Great Exhibition of 1851,
their work, Barling’s were offered the opportunity to exhibit at the Great Exhibition of 1851,
which they duly did, showing a set of 12 (my emphasis) silver mounted pipes.” 
which they duly did, showing a set of '''12''' (my emphasis) silver mounted pipes.” 




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Danpipe.de: “The Kopp company is dedicating the Benjamin series to company founder Benjam
Danpipe.de: “The Kopp company is dedicating the Benjamin series [of briar pipes] to company founder Benjam
[sic] Barling. On the occasion of the World Exhibition in 1851 he won the highest awards at the
['''sic'''] Barling. On the occasion of the World Exhibition in 1851 he won the highest awards at the
International Exhibition in London for his silver work on a pipe set.”
International Exhibition in London for his silver work on a pipe set.”


Rallis.blog about Barling: “Auf der Weltausstellung 1851 erhielt man für die außergewöhnlich
Rallis.blog about Barling: “Auf der Weltausstellung 1851 erhielt man für die außergewöhnlich
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for a meerschaum pipe bowl to be carved in Vienna or Munich, and the silverwork and stem
for a meerschaum pipe bowl to be carved in Vienna or Munich, and the silverwork and stem
added in London to complete the pipe. All the dots are there. To connect them just required a
added in London to complete the pipe. All the dots are there. To connect them just required a
degree of investigation and analysis to arrive at a logical conclusion based on the visual
degree of investigation and analysis to arrive at a logical explanation based on the visual
evidence and an understanding of the stylistic changes in meerschaum pipe formats and styles
evidence and an understanding of the stylistic changes in meerschaum pipe formats and styles
as they evolved from mid- to the late 19th-century.
as they evolved from mid- to the late 19th-century.
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support to ideas or beliefs that don’t have an historical basis. Because there are so few sources
support to ideas or beliefs that don’t have an historical basis. Because there are so few sources
that accurately recount the early history of the meerschaum pipe industry, it is absolutely
that accurately recount the early history of the meerschaum pipe industry, it is absolutely
necessary to analyze all the available facts. The Barling pipe incident is a perfect example of
necessary to analyze all the available facts. The Barling pipe affair is a perfect example of
how a story can take on a life of its own, frequently being modified, changed, expanded, or
how a story can take on a life of its own, frequently being modified, changed, expanded, or
embellished to make it more interesting first in books and then online as it travels around the
embellished to make it more interesting in pipe books and then online as it travels around the
Web.
Web.


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To those who follow Barling (or briar) history, I would not expect that you would be as familiar
To those who follow Barling (or briar) history, I would not expect that you would be as familiar
with the evolution of the meerschaum industry in Europe in the mid- to late-19th century. To
with the evolution of the meerschaum industry in Europe in the mid- to late-19th century. To
those who did not question Bonhams description of that auction pipe and embraced it, I believe
those who did not question Bonhams description of that auction pipe and embraced it, I believe that my explanation is plausible and persuasive.  
that my account is a factual. I’ve tried not to wallow in the details but, unfortunately, the devil
I’ve tried not to wallow in the details but, unfortunately, the devil
is in these very details. As an antique pipe-research addict for more than 50 years, it was an
is in these very details. As an antique-pipe-research-addict for more than 50 years, it was an
academic challenge to disentangle and dissect what’s been written and then to formulate a
academic challenge to disentangle and dissect what’s been written and then to formulate a
rational and very plausible explanation of the origin and disposition of this meerschaum pipe.
rational and very plausible explanation of the origin and disposition of this meerschaum pipe.
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A final word. I believe that what I have catalogued is also ample proof that briar pipes were not
A final word. I believe that what I have catalogued is also ample proof that briar pipes were not
on display at the Great Exhibition. “Who Carved the First Briar Pipe?” (pipedia.org) cites Hacker
on display at the Great Exhibition. “Who Carved the First Briar Pipe?” (pipedia.org) cites Hacker
(The Ultimate Pipe Book): “Nonetheless, it was around 1840 when a pipemaker named François
(''The Ultimate Pipe Book''): “Nonetheless, it was around 1840 when a pipemaker named François
Comoy (who, in 1825, started the first full-time pipe factory in St Claude) began carving pipes
Comoy (who, in 1825, started the first full-time pipe factory in St Claude) began carving pipes
out of France&#39;s native bruyere (which has subsequently been called brier and finally briar.”
out of France&#39;s native bruyere (which has subsequently been called brier and finally briar.”
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Let’s assume that history favors Comoy, so I close with a rhetorical question. If François Comoy
Let’s assume that history favors Comoy, so I close with a rhetorical question. If François Comoy
was the first to produce la pipe en bruyère, why wasn’t he or his son at the Exhibition
was the first to produce ''la pipe en bruyère'', why wasn’t he or his son at the Exhibition
promoting this new pipe medium? He would have introduced this newly-discovered pipe
promoting this new pipe medium? He would have introduced this newly-discovered pipe
material to millions of visitors. As well, he could have been the impetus for an earlier expansion
material to millions of visitors. As well, he could have been the impetus for an earlier expansion
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an answer, but his absence from—and ostensible impact in—the Great Exhibition is now duly
an answer, but his absence from—and ostensible impact in—the Great Exhibition is now duly
noted.
noted.
[[Category:Ben Rapaport]]
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