23,108
edits
No edit summary |
|||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Note:''' Thanks to Jesse Silver's diligent research and over site we are undergoing a major revision of this page. You may see some redundant material during this revision. Please do not attempt to edit the page for the time being. Thanks! --[[User:Sethile|sethile]] ([[User talk:Sethile|talk]]) 21:28, 9 May 2013 (UTC) | |||
''Many thanks to Jesse Silver for extensive work editing and contributing to this article. We are still hoping for additional information and documentation on the fascinating history of Barling. --[[User:Sethile|sethile]] 19:35, 17 August 2010 (UTC) '' | ''Many thanks to Jesse Silver for extensive work editing and contributing to this article. We are still hoping for additional information and documentation on the fascinating history of Barling. --[[User:Sethile|sethile]] 19:35, 17 August 2010 (UTC) '' | ||
[[Image:Barling_cased_pair.gif|thumb| | [[Image:Barling_cased_pair.gif|thumb|400px|Cased Pair, Pre-trans, Derek Green Collection[http://www.derek-green.com/Others.htm]]] | ||
Line 8: | Line 12: | ||
== The Company == | == The Company == | ||
[[File:Barlings_Pre_long2.jpg|thumb| | [[File:Barlings_Pre_long2.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Pre-Barling by Crown of Vienna, silver work by the Barling family of London, and stamped with E.B. and W.B. stamps, albatross wing bone extensions. From the Johnny Long Collection]][[File:Barlings_long1.jpg|thumb|200px|Stamped "BARLING'S MAKE", London 1906, Rd. No. 458002, from the Johnny Long Collection]][[File:Barling_silver_bands.gif|thumb|200px|From Left: 1927-Tetley's; 1916 w/Military bit; 1956-Tetley's; Pre-Trans EXEL T.V.F, Derek Green Collection[http://www.derek-green.com/Others.htm]]][[File:Barlings_pre_Long4.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Pair of uncased 1884s with E.B. W.B stamped Barling silverwork]][[File:Barling_Catalogue_Cover.jpg|thumb|200px|right|B. Barling & Sons catalogue of pipes - Printed by Unwin Brothers - The Gresham Press - likely dated 1922, Courtesy Jesse Silver]][[File:Barlings_pre_Long3.jpg|thumb|250px|left|1884, upper pipe from above pair. It has screw mounts and also has the wing bone extension. From the Johnny Long Collection]][[File:Barlings_pre_Long3b.jpg|thumb|250px|left|1884 screw mount detail. From the Johnny Long Collection]] '''''“We have much pleasure in presenting our New Catalogue illustrating some of the principal shapes and specialities in our celebrated EB WB Briar Pipes.'''''<br> | ||
'''''Our pipes being so well known and universally known (without the artificial aid of advertisements), we will not here dwell on their perfection, but would ask you to kindly peruse this book, which will no doubt introduce to you some new patterns.'''''<br> | '''''Our pipes being so well known and universally known (without the artificial aid of advertisements), we will not here dwell on their perfection, but would ask you to kindly peruse this book, which will no doubt introduce to you some new patterns.'''''<br> | ||
'''''If you are not already a smoker of our pipes, we hope that it will lead to your giving them a trial and thus testing their quality and workmanship, we ourselves being confident of your ultimate judgment and satisfaction. Every department of our factory being under our own practical and personal supervision, ensures every pipe turned out by us coming under our direct notice. This fact, coupled with the excellence of the materials used in their manufacture, has given our pipes a reputation second to none in the smoking world, a reputation we firmly intend to maintain and strengthen.''''' | '''''If you are not already a smoker of our pipes, we hope that it will lead to your giving them a trial and thus testing their quality and workmanship, we ourselves being confident of your ultimate judgment and satisfaction. Every department of our factory being under our own practical and personal supervision, ensures every pipe turned out by us coming under our direct notice. This fact, coupled with the excellence of the materials used in their manufacture, has given our pipes a reputation second to none in the smoking world, a reputation we firmly intend to maintain and strengthen.''''' | ||
Line 18: | Line 22: | ||
- Preface to the first edition of B. Barling & Sons catalogue of pipes - Printed by Unwin Brothers - The Gresham Press - date unknown but typography suggests the mid ‘teens to early 1920’s. | - Preface to the first edition of B. Barling & Sons catalogue of pipes - Printed by Unwin Brothers - The Gresham Press - date unknown but typography suggests the mid ‘teens to early 1920’s. | ||
Among collectors of high-grade British pipes, family era Barling pipes are rated at the pinnacle. No other maker enjoys a finer reputation for the legendary quality of their materials, engineering and craftsmanship.<br> | Among collectors of high-grade British pipes, family era Barling pipes are rated at the pinnacle. No other maker enjoys a finer reputation for the legendary quality of their materials, engineering and craftsmanship.<br> | ||
The Barlings were silversmiths in England during the latter part of the 1700's, with | The Barlings were silversmiths in England during the latter part of the 1700's. Sensing an opportunity, Benjamin Barling started outfitting meerschaum bowls with exquisite silver mountings, founding B. Barling and Sons in 1812.<br> | ||
Over the ensuing years the company gained and maintained an enviable reputation for the excellent smoking characteristics of their pipes, | The company received recognition of their work at the Great Exhibition of 1851 for their display of a set of “Silver-mounted meerschaum smoking pipes.” - Official Catalogue of the Great Exhibition of 1851 - page 147. This honor meant so much to the company that they proudly displayed the medallion they received on the cover of their first catalog of pipes decades later. | ||
Among authorities on the Barling pipes, none is more respected, nor better known, than Tad Gage. His article, | |||
Over the ensuing years the company gained and maintained an enviable reputation for the excellent smoking characteristics of their pipes, as well as for their unique interpretation of classic shapes, and the development of some "new" classics. Though not the first English company to carve pipes from Briar, (that distinction being given to Loewe’s who first introduced briar pipes to English smokers in 1856 - “Loewe of the Haymarket - 1926) the Barling Company supplied finely wrought silver fitments to briar bowls turned by others.<br> | |||
Among authorities on the Barling pipes, none is more respected, nor better known, than Tad Gage. His article, Mysterious Barlings, written for the Spring 2000 issue of Pipes and Tobacco Magazine, has become the touchstone for collectors worldwide.<br> | |||
Gage believes that the Barling Company did not exclusively turn their own bowls until some time around 1909.<br> | Gage believes that the Barling Company did not exclusively turn their own bowls until some time around 1909.<br> | ||
In their single-minded pursuit of perfection, B. Barling and Sons used only the very choicest of old growth air seasoned Algerian briar. “Legendary” is the term most often applied to the smoking properties of these pipes. | In their single-minded pursuit of perfection, B. Barling and Sons used only the very choicest of old growth air seasoned Algerian briar. “Legendary” is the term most often applied to the smoking properties of these pipes. | ||
Richard Carleton Hacker is the author of numerous books on collectible and historic pipes including | Richard Carleton Hacker is the author of numerous books on collectible and historic pipes including Rare Smoke - The Ultimate Guide To Pipe Collecting. According to Hacker, the Barling family sold the company to the Imperial Tobacco Company in 1960. However, Tad Gage states that the year was 1962. Peter Macnab, writing about the history of the company for Tobacco Magazine in 1982 gives the year as 1961 when B. Barling & Sons was sold to Finlay’s, their largest customer and a part of the Imperial Tobacco group. | ||
Regardless of the year of the sale, the Barling family was running the company in 1962. Montague Barling was still the president of the company and Williamson Barling was still the general manager, a position in which he would continue to1967. | |||
It has recently come to light that letters exist, which were written by Montague Barling from the period of April thru June of 1962, during which time the Barling Company presented pipes to celebrity pipe smokers to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the company. We have included a sample of that correspondence in the form of an exchange of letters between Mr. Barling and Bing Crosby. Montague Barling’s stationery clearly bears the imprint of “President”. On the basis of this evidence we can set aside the 1960 sale date in favor of either late 1961 or 1962. | |||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Bing Barling1.jpg|1962 Letter, From Montague Barling to Bing, Courtesy Peter Ashton | File:Bing Barling1.jpg|1962 Letter, From Montague Barling to Bing, Courtesy Peter Ashton | ||
Line 35: | Line 42: | ||
File:Bing Barling2.jpg|1962 2nd Letter, From Montague Barling to Bing, Courtesy Peter Ashton | File:Bing Barling2.jpg|1962 2nd Letter, From Montague Barling to Bing, Courtesy Peter Ashton | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
It’s worth quoting Montague Barling’s letter at this point: | |||
'''''“Dear Mr. Crosby,''''' | |||
'''''During a fleeting visit to Jasper Park late in the summer of 1948 I had the pleasure of having a chat with you. The subject of pipe smoking arose and I well remember your keenness and interest in specimen briars.”''''' | |||
'''''“This has been brought to mind again because my company has collected and made up into Companion Cases, containing two pipes, a few fine specimen Barling Pipes. They have been manufactured in celebration of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the establishment of this business by my Great Grandfather in the year 1812.”''''' | |||
'''''“It is our wish that these should be presented to world famous pipe smokers, and I have taken the liberty of including your name on my list. Would you be kind enough to let me know if you will accept such a presentation?”''''' | |||
<center>'''''Yours sincerely,'''''<br> | |||
''''' B. Barling & Sons, LTD.'''''</center> | |||
Not being stupid, Bing happily accepted the presentation gift. | |||
Montague Barling, in reply, thanked Bing Crosby, presented the 150th Anniversary pipe set and wished him many hours of smoking pleasure from them. In the body of this letter Barling again uses the term “my company”. So in June of 1962, Montague Barling refers to B. Barling and Sons as his company. And who is anyone else to dispute this? | |||
In addition we have included photos of a military bit billiard that has all of the correct “family era” stampings and a 1961 date hallmark. According to a retired Director of B. Barling and Sons, who supplied the correspondence between Montague Barling and Bing Crosby, the year of sale was 1962. So for the purpose of this article the latter date will be applied. | |||
Following the sale of the company change came on gradually. Montague Barling still ran his company. Williamson Barling continued to run the shop as general manager, a position he would hold until 1967. Ron Harden, who worked for Finlays, and whose reminisces provided much of the information to both Mssrs. Gage and Macnab, joined Barling as sales manager in 1964. He later became general manager, and is credited for saving the brand from extinction at the hands of Imperial Tobacco. | |||
== The periods == | == The periods == | ||
[[Image:Barling_pre_dublin.jpg|thumb|200px|Pre-trans Dublin, [http://smokingpipes.com Smokingpipes.com]]]According to current scholarship, the Barling has gone through three distinct periods, which dramatically effect collectability of the pipes. These are referred to as the | [[Image:Barling_pre_dublin.jpg|thumb|200px|Pre-trans Dublin, [http://smokingpipes.com Smokingpipes.com]]]According to current scholarship, the Barling has gone through three distinct periods, which dramatically effect collectability of the pipes. These are referred to as the Pre-Transition, Transition, and Post Transition periods. The "Pre-Transition" pipes are highly sought after by collectors and have excellent smoking and aesthetic qualities. These pipes are famous for the "old wood" from which they were made. | ||
There is also a group of collectors who suggest that there are two Transition periods, based on quality rather than ownership of the company. These collectors hold that there was a noticeable inconsistency in quality beginning around 1954. Transition 1runs from 1954 to 1962 and Transition 2 runs from 1962 to 1968. The problem with this system is that the subtle inconsistencies are not noticeable on pipes that have seen 60+ years of use. It is pretty well ignored by Barling Pipe collectors. | |||
The following pictures of a Barling apple with a sterling military bit also points to a later dating for the change of ownership and nomenclature than Hacker's 1960 date. It clearly shows hallmarks for the year 1961 and yet has all of the other accepted "Pre-Trans" stampings - 3-digit number, arched logo, etc. You can find the hallmark chart at this URL. Look at the entry for 1961 - slightly diagonal lowercase "f" in a beveled rectangular shield. It's a perfect match! | |||
<center><gallery caption="1961 Hallmarked Barling, Jesse Silver Collection"> | |||
File:61 Barling CU2.jpg | |||
File:61 Barling fullI3.jpg | |||
File:1961_Barling2.jpg | |||
</gallery></center> | |||
===The Catalogs=== | |||
R. C. Hacker states, incorrectly, that B. Barling and Sons issued no catalog prior to 1962. At least two earlier catalogs are known to exist. The preface for the B. Barling and Sons catalog is now included on this page as is a scan of the cover. In addition, Barling issued a brochure illustrating their various lines of pipes in 1957. - http://yeoldebriars.com/barling018.html | |||
NOTE: This site is Japanese and we suggest that it be accessed using Google’s translator. There is a wealth of information therein contained. In addition, the unintentional howlers created by the translator will provide a great deal of amusement. | |||
====The circa 1922 Catalog==== | |||
The Barling Catalog presented here was a reference copy that was preserved in the Barling Company’s archives. We cite the 1922 date because a price list, dated 1922, has also turned up in the surviving Barling archives. We hope to be able to provide a reproduction of it at a future date. As you can see, this catalog features beautiful engravings of various shapes. A model name and number accompanies each illustration. The model numbers are 1 digit, 2 digits, 2 digits plus a letter, 3 digits, and 3 digits plus a letter. Cased sets are given the appellation “Special” and are assigned a 4 digit model number, beginning with a 1. Different sizes of the same shape are given unique model numbers that are not related. All illustrated pipes have a military bit, spigot, or sterling band.<br> | |||
We must confess to being amused at the idea of a dashing mustachioed officer of the Queen’s Regiment ordering a “Nymph”. | |||
In addition to the selection of shapes, the catalog includes photos of the Barling Factory, some of which are herein reproduced. | |||
<center><gallery caption="Samples from the 1922 Barling Catalog"> | |||
File:Barling Illustration stock Room reduced.jpg | |||
File:Page1 illustrations top reduced.jpg | |||
File:Barling page1 illustrations bottom reduced.jpg | |||
File:Barling leaf2 sideB low resolution.jpg | |||
File:Barling leaf4 sideB reduced.jpg | |||
</gallery></center> | |||
====The 1962 150th Anniversary and Retailers’ Catalogs==== | |||
The | [[File:Price List scaled.jpg|thumb|200|150th Anniversary Catalog Pricelist]]In 1962 the B. Barling and Sons Company issued not one, but TWO complete catalogs. The differences between these two catalogs are striking enough to warrant comment here. Their contents may legitimize altering the current definition of what constitutes a Pre-Transition, or Family Era, Barling. Or, at the very least, offer a reason to create a new period, Early Transition. | ||
The | The earlier of these two Catalogs, is the 150th Anniversary Catalogue.<br> | ||
The copy that we have, and from which we have pulled pages for your examination, includes a price list dated June 1962. Thus we can fix a reliable timeframe for this catalog. Remember that at the same time that this catalog was published, Montague Barling was writing to Bing Crosby and other celebrity pipe smokers about gifting them with the finest briars that Barling had ever created. This was all part of the 150th Anniversary celebration, a celebration that had been many years in the making. On page 36, under the heading “Jubilee Companion Set” the following is written: | |||
''' | '''''“For many years, in anticipation of our 150th Anniversary, we have put aside certain bruyere bowls of outstanding merit to be brought to maturity under ideal conditions.”''''' | ||
Under the current definition of a Pre-Transition pipe, these pipes, made from specially aged briar of the finest quality to celebrate the 150th anniversary, are transition pipes because their model numbers are designated as “Transition”. Time for a change? | |||
It is in the 150th Anniversary catalog that the new numbering system first appears. The new numbering system was introduced while the Barling family ran the business. The price list explains that the new number designates size. | |||
All of the pipes pictured in this catalog feature the arched “BARLING’S” over “MAKE” logo stamp. But here’s an interesting fact. Most of the pipes pictured have the old model numbers. Evidently new pictures of the pipes were not commissioned for the catalog, probably because management figured that most people would either not notice, or not care.<br> | |||
But interspersed between these pictures are other pictures of pipes with the new numbering system stamped into the shank. And ALL of those pipes also have the small “BARLING’S MAKE” stamp that was in use during the 1930’s and early ‘40’s. It makes more sense to assume that Barling was reintroducing the small stamp with the revised numbering system than to assume that a large number of unstamped pipes had been hanging around since the 1930’s, including six years of a world war during which time shipments of briar became a much lesser priority and makers were scrambling to find any stock that they could turn into product. | |||
<gallery caption="Barling’s Make pipes with the “transition” model numbers and wide view of the catalog page"> | |||
File:P21 scaled.jpg|Page 21 | |||
File:6224 1 scaled.jpg|Model 6224 | |||
File:6224 2 cropped.jpg|6224 Nomenclature | |||
File:P45 scaled.jpg|Page 45 | |||
File:3595-1 scaled.jpg|Model 3595 | |||
File:3595-1 cropped.jpg|3595 Nomenclature | |||
File:3599 2 cropped.jpg|3599 Nomenclature | |||
</gallery> | |||
The catalog contains a listing of grades. From bottom to top these grades are: standard, sandblast (referred to as “fossil” in the stampings), Guinea Grain, Ye Olde Wood Special, Straight Grain, and Presentation Straight Grain. None of the previously published material from third party sources mentions that there were TWO grades of straight grain! | |||
In November of 1962 B. Barling and Sons published another full catalog. The differences between the two are instructive. | |||
Let’s start with the frontispieces, shown here side by side. | |||
<center><gallery widths=300 heights=325> | |||
File:150th Frontispiece scaled.jpg|June 1962 - 150th Anniversary Catalog Frontispiece | |||
File:1962 Barling Retailers Cat Frontispiece small.jpg|November 1962 - Retailers’ Catalog Frontispiece | |||
</gallery></center> | |||
June 1962 - 150th Anniversary Catalog - “During nine Reigns the Barling family have developed and perfected their craft of making the finest quality briar pipes in the world.” | |||
November 1962 - Retailers’ Catalog - “During nine Reigns Barling have developed and perfected the finest quality briar pipes in the world.” | |||
The frontispiece of the Retailers’ Catalog has been remade to remove any direct mention of the Barling family. | |||
The 1962 Retailers’ Catalog introduces a brand new company logo. Gone is the traditional block letter “BARLING’S MAKE”. In its place is a script Barling logo. All pipes pictured in the Retailers’ Catalog are stamped with the new logo. See the examples below. For this reboot of the Barling line of pipes, new photography has been commissioned for all shapes. | |||
<center><gallery> | |||
File:1962 retailers' cat sample logo detail.jpg|1962 retailers Catolog Sample Logo | |||
File:1962 retailers' cat sample page 300dpi.jpg|1962 retailers Catolog Sample Page | |||
File:1962 retailers catalog grades.jpg|1962 retailers Catolog Grades | |||
File:1962 Barling Retailers' Cat size chart.jpg|1962 retailers Catolog Size Chart | |||
</gallery></center> | |||
'''Several pages from the 1957 Sales Brochure:''' | '''Several pages from the 1957 Sales Brochure:''' | ||
Line 67: | Line 160: | ||
<gallery perrow=6 =caption"The 150th Anniversary catalog, courtesy Jesse Silver"> | <gallery perrow=6 =caption"The 150th Anniversary catalog, courtesy Jesse Silver"> | ||
File:Barling 150th Cat Cover scaled.jpg|150th Anniversary Catalog Cover | File:Barling 150th Cat Cover scaled.jpg|150th Anniversary Catalog Cover | ||
File:Receipt scaled.jpg|Receipt | File:Receipt scaled.jpg|Receipt | ||
File:Price List scaled.jpg|Price List | File:Price List scaled.jpg|Price List | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
The 1st notable point is that the new model numbering system first appears in this catalog. The old SS thru EXEXEL size stamps are discarded and 4 digit numbers beginning with a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are used to define the size instead. It has been assumed that the successor company made this change. This change came about while the company was still led by Montague Barling.<br> | The 1st notable point is that the new model numbering system first appears in this catalog. The old SS thru EXEXEL size stamps are discarded and 4 digit numbers beginning with a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are used to define the size instead. It has been assumed that the successor company made this change. This change came about while the company was still led by Montague Barling.<br> | ||
Line 225: | Line 311: | ||
<Gallery> | <Gallery> | ||
File:Barling 5589.jpg | File:Barling 5589.jpg | ||
File:Barling 5589(2).jpg | File:Barling 5589(2).jpg |