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Barling: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Barling_cased_pair.gif|thumb|200px|Cased Pair, Pre-trans, Derek Green Collection[http://www.derek-green.com/Others.htm]]] | [[Image:Barling_cased_pair.gif|thumb|200px|Cased Pair, Pre-trans, Derek Green Collection[http://www.derek-green.com/Others.htm]]] | ||
== The Company == | == The Company == | ||
Barling is a great name in pipes among smokers and collectors alike. The original Barlings were silversmiths in England during the latter part of the 1700's and their slver mountings first appeared on pipes in 1812. A very famous old English classic, making mostly traditional English shapes. The company entered a "modern" phase in 1851 when they began carving pipes out of briar. Over the next 109 years the company gained an enviable reputation for the unique shapes and smokability of their pipes. The company was sold by the Barling family in 1960 to the Imperial Tobacco Company, and after a brief transition period, the quality and identity of went down hill rapidly. | [[Image: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]]] Barling is a great name in pipes among smokers and collectors alike. The original Barlings were silversmiths in England during the latter part of the 1700's and their slver mountings first appeared on pipes in 1812. A very famous old English classic, making mostly traditional English shapes. The company entered a "modern" phase in 1851 when they began carving pipes out of briar. Over the next 109 years the company gained an enviable reputation for the unique shapes and smokability of their pipes. The company was sold by the Barling family in 1960 to the Imperial Tobacco Company, and after a brief transition period, the quality and identity of went down hill rapidly. | ||
== The periods == | == The periods == | ||
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" they are made from. Many of the "transition" pipes were made from pre-transition bowls, and by the same craftsman. While possessing most of the same excellent qualities of the pre-transition pipes, they are not easily identified from later inferior materials and production, and are not nearly as collectible. The "post transition" pipes have had a rocky road, and while some are not without merit, they are generally considered completely sub-standard, and share only the name, and a scant remnant of their former glory in an occasionally re-issued shape. | [[Image:Barling_pre_dublin.jpg|thumb|200px|Pre-trans Dublin, [http://smokingpipes.com Smokingpipes.com]]]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" they are made from. Many of the "transition" pipes were made from pre-transition bowls, and by the same craftsman. While possessing most of the same excellent qualities of the pre-transition pipes, they are not easily identified from later inferior materials and production, and are not nearly as collectible. The "post transition" pipes have had a rocky road, and while some are not without merit, they are generally considered completely sub-standard, and share only the name, and a scant remnant of their former glory in an occasionally re-issued shape. | ||
The literature is inconclusive on the exact dates of these periods. But the following is an attempt at reconciling the data: | The literature is inconclusive on the exact dates of these periods. But the following is an attempt at reconciling the data: | ||
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==== Pre- Trans Nomenclature ==== | ==== Pre- Trans Nomenclature ==== | ||
Pre-transition nomenclature includes '''BARLINGS MAKE''' in block lettering, and three digit shape numbers, and sizes were noted with M, L, EL, EXEL, EXEXEL, and G. ''[this needs to be expanded with other relevant markings-- Pipedia SYSOP]'' | [[Image:Barling_pre_lovat.jpg|thumb|200px|Pre-trans Dublin, [http://smokershaven.com Smokershaven.com]]] Pre-transition nomenclature includes '''BARLINGS MAKE''' in block lettering, and three digit shape numbers, and sizes were noted with M, L, EL, EXEL, EXEXEL, and G. ''[this needs to be expanded with other relevant markings-- Pipedia SYSOP]'' | ||
=== Transitional === | === Transitional === | ||
The early transitional Phase is 1960-1962 | The early transitional Phase is 1960-1962, the first two years after the Barling family sold the company. However, some sources classify early transition as 1952-1962, to include the last eight years of Barling family ownership, noting what they observe as a "lessoning" of the standards that pre-dates the actual change of ownership. Others speculate that the only significant changes in the early transition pipes were to the nomenclature. The changes in nomenclature are difficult to follow, however, and regardless, while perhaps excellent smokers, transition pipes are far less valuable to collectors than pre-transition pipes. | ||
The late Transitional Phase is 1962-1967, with speculation being that very little if any older wood remained in the factory after 1964. Most, if not all of the craftsman working under the Barling family would also have left by this time. | |||
So, depending on the source, the transition is the tail end of the family owned company, and early production after the company first sold to the Imperial Tboacco Company. Initially, the transition company used the remaining stock of bowls that were turned by the original family run company, and then proceeded to turn more bowls with old wood remaining in inventory, and at least initially, this work was performed by many of the same craftsman at first. These transition pipes could therefor be an excellent value, or nearly valueless, making it an exciting gamble for those so inclined! | |||
==== Transition Nomenclature ==== | ==== Transition Nomenclature ==== | ||