Collector's Guide to Kaywoodie Pipes: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Collector's Guide to Kaywoodie Pipes (view source)

Revision as of 18:38, 19 June 2016

13,485 bytes added ,  7 years ago
→‎THE 1955 KAYWOODIE LINE OF PIPES
Line 106: Line 106:


=== THE 1955 KAYWOODIE LINE OF PIPES ===
=== THE 1955 KAYWOODIE LINE OF PIPES ===
The line-up of pipes in the 1955 catalog (Table 3) was more extensive than in previous years. The catalog presented an expanded line of meerschaum pipes and introduced a 4-pipe set of Matched Grain Pipes, as well as several pipes with "special features". The number of shapes available (see Appendix), however, was not substantially different from the number offered in the 1947 catalog.
The "star" of the 1955 catalog was the Meerschaum Character Pipe. According to the catalog, "A very limited number of these [block] meerschaum character pipes are carved by Kaywoodie sculptors . . . each a true-life reproduction of a famous man." The famous men honored on these pipes included: George Washington; Abraham Lincoln; Thomas Jefferson; Andrew Jackson; Stonewall Jackson; Daniel Boone; Theodore Roosevelt; Sir Walter Raleigh; and Mephisto.
The Twin-Bowl Kaywoodies were available in an all-meerschaum model (two removable inner bowls of meerschaum) and a meerschaum and Flame Grain model (outer bowl of flame grain briar and removable inner bowl of meerschaum). Other meerschaum pipes presented in the 1955 catalog included: the Gourd Calabash; the Coral ("dimpled") Meerschaum; the All Briar (briar bit) and Flame Grain pipes with inlaid meerschaum bowls; and the "Doctor's" pipe. The "Doctor's" Pipe was fitted with a removable bowl of meerschaum that was designed to leave an air space between the inner (meerschaum) bowl and the outer (briar) bowl to circulate and cool the smoke
Other interesting entries in the 1955 catalog included:
*'''Export Pipes'''-- Pipes without the Kaywoodie screw-in filter system. Available in Super Grain to Connoisseur grade pipes.
*'''Fit Rite. "Fit Rite" refers to the design of the bit ("absolutely flat on top and bottom from the tip right to the saddle").
*'''Chesterfield8'''-- Identical to the Peterson System Pipe (reservoir in pipe shank to collect moisture, Peterson style lip, military mounting). Available in Super Grain, Relief Grain, Flame Grain, and Connoisseur grades.
*'''Chinrester. "S-Shaped" bit'''-- "Chinrester pipes perform a special function by resting comfortably on the chin, thereby easing the strain on smokers whose jaws tire quickly or whose teeth are weak."
*'''Stembiter'''. "For smokers with strong teeth who bite through their pipe bits." The bit was "notched" in front of the lip of the bit to "conform to the shape of the teeth". The bit incorporated a 3-way smoke passage with two of the passages terminating in the lip-end of the bit and the third in the notch on the top of the bit9. (Also see "Durobit", Section 3.4).
*'''White Briar'''-- "Bowls of prime imported briar, with hard white finish that keeps its lustre and sparkling whiteness."
*'''Filter-Plus'''-- Interchangeable bowls in metal shanks. Two basic models were available. The 1955 model featured six "screw-on" interchangeable bowls. In the late 1950's (after 1955) or early 60's, the Filter-Plus Deluxe pipe was introduced ("gold-like" finish on shank). In the early to mid-1960's, the Filter Pipes featured a "strap-on" bowl with a threaded base for ceramic filters. The bowl on these pipes was held in place with a spring-loaded pin that could be released by pulling the bit.
*'''Drinkless Tuckaway'''--Smaller versions of "popular shapes". Available in smooth or carved finishes (Also see Section 3.5)
'''Table 3. 1955 Kaywoodie Pipe Grades and Prices'''
*'''Meerschaum Character Pipes''': $100.00
*'''Block''': 15.00-50 (According to size)
*'''Meerschaum Twin Bowl''': $35.00
*'''Meerschaum/Flame Grain Twin Bowl''': $25.00
*'''Sandblasted “Doctor’s” Pipe''': $25.00
*'''Centenniala''': $25.00
*'''Coral Meerschaum''': $20.00-25 (According to size)
*'''Gourd Calabash''': $15.00-25 (According to size)
*'''Ninety-Fivera''': $20.00
*'''Oversize''': $10.00-25(According to style and finish)
*'''Connoisseura''': $15.00
*'''All Briar w/Meerschaum Inlaid Bowl''': $12.50
*'''Flame Grain (Meerschaum Inlaid)a''': $12.50
*'''Export Pipes''': $5.00-15 (According to grade)
*'''All Briar (Briar Bit)''': $10.00
*'''Flame Graina''': $10.00
*'''Fit Rite''': $10.00
*'''Silhouettea''': $10.00
*'''Carburetora''': $7.50
*'''Relief Graina''': $7.50
*'''Chesterfield''': $5.00-15 (According to grade)
*'''Chinrester''': $5.00-10 (According to grade)
*'''Stembiter''': $5.00-10 (According to grade)
*'''Streamliner''': $4.00-10 (According to grade)
*'''Super Graina''': $5.00
*'''Carved Super Graina''': $5.00
*'''White Briar''': $5.00
*'''Standard''': $4.00
*'''Filter Plus''': $4.00
*'''Drinkless pupa''': $3.50
*'''Drinkless Tuckaway''': $3.50
*'''Drinkless In-Between''': $3.50
*'''Two-Pipe Companion Setsb''': $10.00-25 (According to grade)
*'''Matched Grain Set (4-Pipes)''': $50.00
*'''Matched Grain Set (7-Pipes)''': $125.00
=== THE 1968-69 KAYWOODIE LINE OF PIPES ===
The 1968-69 catalog offered an interesting assortment of traditional and free-hand styles (Table 4). The traditional pipes were available in over 50 shapes (see Appendix). The Birdseye and Straight Grain pipes were the top-of-the-line, selling for $100 each. Every Birdseye and Straight Grain pipe was registered and, according to the catalog, would "be serviced for life".
The Birdseye and Straight Grain pipes were packaged in special hand-fitted leather cases. Though both pipes are still highly regarded, the Birdseye pipe is probably the rarest of the Kaywoodie Pipes and is highly sought after by collectors.
The Kaywoodie Originals were "hand-carved, one-of-a-kind pipes" that were available in six general shapes in a choice of smooth or "textured" finishes. The Originals, like the Birdseye and Straight Grain Pipes, were registered and would be serviced for life. The Collector's series was also available in six shapes (1C-6C) in a choice of smooth or sandblast finishes(10).
The Heirloom pipes were hand-carved briar heads of a Nobleman, a Prophet, and Satan. An undated catalog (probably from the late 1950's or early 1960's) offered these pipes as "carved heads" for $15.00 each. Another undated catalog (probably from the mid-60's) offered the Heirloom pipes for $25 each. The Kaywoodie Regent featured an "India-Grain Rubber Bit" (simulated briar grain similar to the Dunhill Cumberland bit). The Durobit pipe was a variation of the 1955 Stembiter. The Durobit featured a "twin outlet" bit instead of the 3-way outlet used on the Stembiter bit (see Section 3.3). The Super Grain Syncro-Lok also featured a modified Kaywoodie bit design. A common problem with the Kaywoodie threaded bit is its tendency to "cant" to the right over time (i.e., as the threads wear, the bit can become twisted to the right)11. The Syncro-Lok bit, that "twists to any angle most comfortable to your individual bite," was apparently intended to eliminate this problem.
In addition to the two-, five-, and seven-pipe Matched Grain pipe sets listed in Table 4, the 1968-69 catalog introduced the Presentation Pipe. The catalog states that in "Every 8 or 10 thousand briar blocks, we come across a single piece that is as near to perfection as briar can get. This rare find is set aside and turned over to a master pipe craftsman. He lovingly sees this precious briar through each step, until it takes shape as one of the rarest pipes in the century." The Presentation Pipe was packaged in a walnut grain, velvet lined, leather case. (See Section 3.5 for description of other Kaywoodie Presentation Pipes).
'''Table 4. 1968-69 Kaywoodie Pipe Grades and Prices:'''
*'''Birdseye''': $100.00
*'''Straight Grain''': $100.00
*'''Originals''': $50.00 (100 for "selected grain")
*'''Gourd Calabash(a)''': $50.00 (hand-etched) 75 (smooth)
*'''Heirlooms''': $50.00
*'''Block Meerschauma ("Coral" or Smooth Finish)''': $40.00-50 (Priced according to size)
*'''Collectors''': $35.00
*'''Centennial(a)''': $25.00
*'''Connoisseur(a)''': $20.00
*'''Flame Grain w/Meerschaum Inlaid Bowl(a)''': $17.50
*'''Flame Grain(a)''': $15.00
*'''Chesterfield(a)''': $12.50
*'''Relief Grain w/Meerschaum Inlaid Bowl''': $12.50
*'''Custom Grain''': $12.50
*'''Silhouette(a)''': $10.95
*'''Regent''': $10.95
*'''Carburetor(a)''': $10.95
*'''Chinrester(a)''': $10.00
*'''Signet''': $10.00
*'''Prime Grain''': $10.00
*'''Durobit''': $10.00
*'''Filter Pipe(a)''': $9.50
*'''Relief Grain(a)''': $8.95
*'''White Briara''': $8.95
*'''Super Grain Syncro-Lok''': $8.95
*'''Standard''': $7.95
*'''Fine-Line''': $6.95
*'''Colt''': $6.95
*'''Campus White Briar''': $6.95
*'''Campus''': $6.95
*'''Drinkless(a):5.95
*'''Companion Sets (2-Pipes)'''
**'''Connoisseur''': $40.00
**'''Flame Grain w/Meerschaum Insert''': $35.00
**'''Flame Grain''': $30.00
**'''Custom Grain''': $25.00
**'''Prime Grain/Relief Grain''': $18.95
**'''Super Grain/Signet''': $18.95
**'''Super Grain''': $17.95
**'''Standard/White Briar''': $16.95
**'''Standard''': $15.95
**'''Presentation Pipe''': $50.00
*'''Matched Grain Sets:'''
**'''2 Pipesa''': $75.00
**'''5 Pipes''': $175.00
**'''7 Pipesa''': $250.00
=== NOTES ON KAYWOODIES INTRODUCED BETWEEN 1955 AND 1968 ===
The material presented in this monograph is extracted from 1936, 1947, 1955, 1968-69, and four undated Kaywoodie catalogs. Based on a comparison of prices in the 1955 and 1968-69 catalogs, the four undated catalogs appear to span the period from the late 1950's to the late 1960's (i.e., after 1955 but before 1968). This section presents a brief summary of the Kaywoodie Pipes that appeared in these undated catalogs, but did not appear in either the 1955 or 1968-69 catalogs. Table 5 lists Kaywoodie shape numbers that were introduced between 1955 and 1968
Presentation Collection. "The most illustrious collection of pipes ever assembled - the Kaywoodie Presentation Collection. It presents a set of 28 Kaywoodie Matched Grain Pipes . . . pipes as perfectly, flawlessly, magnificently matched as a string of rare Oriental pearls. Over 500,000 blocks of pristine briar must be sorted to find just one such matched collection; hence no more than 12 sets can be produced in any one year. Hand fashioned from tapered bit to burnished bowl, every pipe in this Collection becomes a prized possession. A Carved Headbriar [see note concerning "carved heads" in the discussion of Heirloom pipes, Section 3.4], a Calabash and a Meerschaum complete this Collection of 31 pipes. This precious ensemble is housed in a custom-designed walnut cabinet of distinguished elegance. It contains a tobacco humidor and a handy compartment for pipe smoking utensils. A brass plate, engraved with the recipient's name, personalizes the presentation" (Price: $2500). The Presentation Collection did not appear in the 1955 catalog, but was apparently introduced shortly thereafter. A "brief" article in the September 17, 1956 issue of Newsweek supports this contention. The article, entitled "Pipe Dream", contains a photo of the Presentation Collection, which is described as the "costliest pipe set ever marketed in the U.S." (Lowndes notes that a small (undated) WWII era catalog showed the Presentation Collection in a smaller cabinet with legs that sold for $1000.) Presentation Block Meerschaum. Smooth or sculptured ("dimpled") finish with black or "Ambera" (simulated amber) bits ($35-$50, depending on size).
*'''Hi-Bowl'''. Tall, tapered bowl in six shapes (see Table 5). Available in smooth or "rough" finish ($10).
*'''Mandarin'''. Smooth or relief grain finish with burnished-bamboo shank ($10).
*'''Setter'''. No shank, just a ridged hole for a slender, filter-free, push-bit. Available in "flat bottom" (hence, "Setter") panel, billiard, and poker shapes. Smooth or textured finish ($10).
*'''Tuckaway'''. The 1955 catalog shows a Drinkless Tuckaway that was simply a smaller version of other Kaywoodie styles. The Tuckaways of the 1955-1968 period had military mountings, filter-free see-thru bits, and were packaged in a leatherette case. Available in Standard, Relief Grain, and Super Grain grades ($6-$8, depending on grade). Miniatures. Two-inch miniature replicas of "their big brother", complete with the Drinkless fitment and Synchro Stem. The catalogs show these as individually-cased pipes but multiple pipe sets were apparently available. Price: $5.
*'''Miniatures'''. Two-inch miniature replicas of "their big brother", complete with the Drinkless fitment and Synchro Stem. The catalogs show these as individually-cased pipes but multiple pipe sets were apparently available. Price: $5.
*'''Colossal Super Grains'''. Available in three "oversize" shapes (see Section 3.2) in hand-carved or smooth finishes ($5).
Other $5-Kaywoodies of this period included: the Litewate Super Grain (w/nylon comfort-bit); the Coral White Briar; Natural Burl; and the Syncro-Lok "500" and "600" pipes.
'''Table 5. Kaywoodie Pipe Shapes Introduced Between 1955 and 1968(a)'''
{|
|-
|'''Shape No.'''||'''Description'''
|-
|'''15'''||Small Squat Bulldog
|-
|'''20'''||Square Panel Billiard
|-
|'''21'''||Medium Billiard, Saddle Bit
|-
|'''37C'''||Colossal Super Grain
|-
|'''39C'''||Colossal Super Grain
|-
|'''42C'''||Colossal Super Grain
|-
|'''58b'''||Small Pot
|-
|'''61b'''||Streamliner White Briar
|-
|'''65b'''||Small Apple, Quarter Bent
|-
|'''66b'''||Streamliner Super Grain
|-
|'''68b'''||Small Apple, Half Bent
|-
|'''70B'''||Belgian
|-
|'''76b'''||Streamliner Standard
|-
|'''86b'''||Square Panel Billiard
|-
|'''H3'''||High-Bowl
|-
|'''H4'''||High-Bowl
|-
|'''H6'''||High-Bowl
|-
|'''H7'''||High-Bowl
|-
|'''H8'''||High-Bowl
|-
|'''H9'''||High-Bowl
|-
|}


== A Partial Chronology of Kaywoodie Grades, Shapes and Prices (1936 - 1969) ==
== A Partial Chronology of Kaywoodie Grades, Shapes and Prices (1936 - 1969) ==
Retrieved from "https://pipedia.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/25545"

Navigation menu