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Barling: Difference between revisions
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→Pre- Trans Grades
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*Ye Olde Wood Fossil ("Fossil" in script), denoting a sandblasted pipe. No evidence that Barling created a sandblasted pipe prior to the mid-1930s. Some sandblasted pipes do not contain the "Fossil" stamping, or it has been buffed off. | *Ye Olde Wood Fossil ("Fossil" in script), denoting a sandblasted pipe. No evidence that Barling created a sandblasted pipe prior to the mid-1930s. Some sandblasted pipes do not contain the "Fossil" stamping, or it has been buffed off. | ||
*Ye Olde Wood Special ("Special" in script) - pipes with a nicer grain figure, often pipes with a combination of cross-graining and birdseye grain, and which were generally left natural or lightly stained, rather than stained dark | *Ye Olde Wood Special ("Special" in script) - pipes with a nicer grain figure, often pipes with a combination of cross-graining and birdseye grain, and which were generally left natural or lightly stained, rather than stained dark | ||
*Guinea Grain - something between a flame grain and a straight grain, often featuring tight, fine graining. These pipes have a script “Barling’s” logo and "EB" stamped on the shank (a tribute to Edwin Barling), a block-stamped "Guinea Grain Reg'd" to reflect the patent on the name, and usually carry a size designation. They were not stamped "TVF" however. They were stained with a special walnut-hued stain to designed to emphasize, as a company | *Guinea Grain - something between a flame grain and a straight grain, often featuring tight, fine graining. These pipes have a script “Barling’s” logo and "EB" stamped on the shank (a tribute to Edwin Barling), a block-stamped "Guinea Grain Reg'd" to reflect the patent on the name, and usually carry a size designation. They were not stamped "TVF" however. They were stained with a special walnut-hued stain to designed to emphasize, as a company promotion noted, shimmering color and grain contrast that mimicked the sheen of a copper penny (hence the Guinea Grain moniker). | ||
*Birdseye - pipes with particularly nice Birdseye grain - one of the rarest of Barling stampings because it was introduced very late in the company's family ownership. | *Birdseye - pipes with particularly nice Birdseye grain - one of the rarest of Barling stampings because it was introduced very late in the company's family ownership. | ||
*Straight Grain - Barling’s highest grade during the pre-transition period, don’t have model numbers or a size designation. This designation was not introduced until the 1930s. Prior to this, all pipes were "Barlings Make" stamped, regardless of grain quality. Presentation Straight Grains were introduced in the 1962 catalogue, along with other changes under new management. | *Straight Grain - Barling’s highest grade during the pre-transition period, don’t have model numbers or a size designation. This designation was not introduced until the 1930s. Prior to this, all pipes were "Barlings Make" stamped, regardless of grain quality. Presentation Straight Grains were introduced in the 1962 catalogue, along with other changes under new management. | ||
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In addition, in a category all by themselves, are the Quaints. The Barling family prided themselves on producing flawless pipes with no fills or sand pits. In some cases, pipes with flaws would get a sandblast. Occasionally a pipe with exceptional grain, often of Guinea Grain or straight grain quality, but flawed with a pit, would be hand carved into a wonderful and unique work of art. The bowl would be carved into panels, and/or fluted, and the offending areas would be covered with delicate traceries of a pleasing symmetrical design. No two are exactly alike. Each Quaint is a unique hand carved pipe. The Barling Company did not designate these pipes as “Quaints”. They were simply hand carved pipes. But, reflecting the work involved in their carving, these were priced at the same level as the straight grains. | In addition, in a category all by themselves, are the Quaints. The Barling family prided themselves on producing flawless pipes with no fills or sand pits. In some cases, pipes with flaws would get a sandblast. Occasionally a pipe with exceptional grain, often of Guinea Grain or straight grain quality, but flawed with a pit, would be hand carved into a wonderful and unique work of art. The bowl would be carved into panels, and/or fluted, and the offending areas would be covered with delicate traceries of a pleasing symmetrical design. No two are exactly alike. Each Quaint is a unique hand carved pipe. The Barling Company did not designate these pipes as “Quaints”. They were simply hand carved pipes. But, reflecting the work involved in their carving, these were priced at the same level as the straight grains. | ||
Worth noting, "Giant" is another grade that was not stamped as such, but is clearly an exceptionally large, classically proportioned billiard, and easily identified by the experienced collector. These appeared in the 1940s. Some carried a shape number, and some did not. Most likely, these were custom orders. They generally carried no grade designation, but occasionally sandblasts were stamped "Fossil." | Worth noting, "Giant" is another grade that was not stamped as such, but is clearly an exceptionally large, classically proportioned billiard, and easily identified by the experienced collector. These appeared in the 1940s. Some carried a shape number, and some did not, but were not stamped "EXEXEL." This would indicate the shape and size considered something beyond and above what would be classified as extra-extra large. Most likely, these were custom orders. They generally carried no grade designation, but occasionally giant sandblasts were stamped "Fossil." | ||