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In 1950 '''Herman G. Lane''', striving to expand his business in Great Britain, made contacts with the Charatan family. Apparently Lane got a certain influence soon, but it was not until 1955 that Lane Ltd. became the sole distributor for Charatan’s in the United States superseding [[Wally Frank]]. This can be documented in a “biography” written for Herman G. Lane titled “Leaves from a Tobaccoman’s Log”. | In 1950 '''Herman G. Lane''', striving to expand his business in Great Britain, made contacts with the Charatan family. Apparently Lane got a certain influence soon, but it was not until 1955 that Lane Ltd. became the sole distributor for Charatan’s in the United States superseding [[Wally Frank]]. This can be documented in a “biography” written for Herman G. Lane titled “Leaves from a Tobaccoman’s Log”. | ||
Thanks to Herman G. Lane's dedicated labor Charatan became hugely popular in the States. As reported by Ken Barnes in an interview with Rick Newcombe, Reuben Charatan passed away in 1962, and his widow sold the firm to Herman Lane 1 or 2 years after his death.<ref>http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipe-manufacturer-retailer-spotlight/charatan-upshall-and-ken-barnes/</ref> In the early | Thanks to Herman G. Lane's dedicated labor Charatan became hugely popular in the States. As reported by Ken Barnes in an interview with Rick Newcombe, Reuben Charatan passed away in 1962, and his widow sold the firm to Herman Lane 1 or 2 years after his death.<ref>http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipe-manufacturer-retailer-spotlight/charatan-upshall-and-ken-barnes/</ref> In the early 1960s Charatan pipes were the first to overstep the $100 Dollar line in US pipe sales. In 1978 Lane's heirs sold the Charatan company to Dunhill. The Prescot Street factory was closed in March 1982. Thereafter the fame and quality of the make declined. | ||
The pre-Lane period (prior to 1955) and the Lane era pipes (1955 to until sometime between 1979 - 1984) are of primary interest the collector. The Lane era is often quoted as beginning about 1950. | The pre-Lane period (prior to 1955) and the Lane era pipes (1955 to until sometime between 1979 - 1984) are of primary interest the collector. The Lane era is often quoted as beginning about 1950. | ||
Charatan records are almost non-existent before Lane due to a factory fire, making it difficult to date pre-Lane pipes. Charatan used 4 basic grades prior to 1950: Supreme, Selected, Executive, and Belvedere. After 1950 Herman Lane's influence began, and the grades started to expand. In 1955 Lane took over sole distributorship of Charatan in the US. In 1957 he introduced the Supreme S. Most of his other introductions were from the | Charatan records are almost non-existent before Lane due to a factory fire, making it difficult to date pre-Lane pipes. Charatan used 4 basic grades prior to 1950: Supreme, Selected, Executive, and Belvedere. After 1950 Herman Lane's influence began, and the grades started to expand. In 1955 Lane took over sole distributorship of Charatan in the US. In 1957 he introduced the Supreme S. Most of his other introductions were from the 1960s and early 1970s. | ||
=== Charatan after Charatan - the more recent history === | === Charatan after Charatan - the more recent history === | ||
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=== Double Comfort === | === Double Comfort === | ||
Charatan records indicate the DC (Double Comfort) bit was introduced in the | Charatan records indicate the DC (Double Comfort) bit was introduced in the 1950s, but some report seeing them in earlier production. Still others indicate they were introduced by Lane in 1960. Regardless, the DC bit is not an accurate way to date a pipe because many Charatan’s were made with regular and saddle type bits throughout the “Lane Era”. | ||
=== Nomenclature === | === Nomenclature === | ||
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Generally, when the pipe is stamped with the BLOCK letters “MADE BY HAND” it means the pipe was probably made between 1958 and 1965” | Generally, when the pipe is stamped with the BLOCK letters “MADE BY HAND” it means the pipe was probably made between 1958 and 1965” | ||
Generally, block letters “MADE BY HAND” and some of the other nomenclature in script (i.e. ''City of London'' or ''Extra Large'' next to the MADE BY HAND) means the pipe was made sometime between 1965 and the mid | Generally, block letters “MADE BY HAND” and some of the other nomenclature in script (i.e. ''City of London'' or ''Extra Large'' next to the MADE BY HAND) means the pipe was made sometime between 1965 and the mid 1970s. The total script nomenclature “''Made by Hand in City of London''” evolved over this period of time, so many pipes had variants, such as Made By Hand in block letters and City of London in script, or some other variation of the terms or stampings. | ||
It is believed the FH was used on Charatan pipes between 1957 and 1967-68. Three different sizes were used. The Charatan Logo (CP) on the pipe bit was changed over the years. | It is believed the FH was used on Charatan pipes between 1957 and 1967-68. Three different sizes were used. The Charatan Logo (CP) on the pipe bit was changed over the years. | ||
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<gallery widths=300 heights=200 mode="packed-hover"> | <gallery widths=300 heights=200 mode="packed-hover"> | ||
charatan1.jpg|Early Lane period, courtesy [http://www.smokershaven.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=681 SmokersHaven | charatan1.jpg|Early Lane period, courtesy [http://www.smokershaven.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=681 SmokersHaven | ||
char_und5.jpg|Charatan '''Underbore'''; ca. | char_und5.jpg|Charatan '''Underbore'''; ca. 1930s | ||
CHARATAN’S MAKE LONDON.ENGLAND 20104.JPG|CHARATAN’S MAKE LONDON.ENGLAND 20104, courtesy of [http://blaik-pipes.ru/ Blaik-Pipes] | CHARATAN’S MAKE LONDON.ENGLAND 20104.JPG|CHARATAN’S MAKE LONDON.ENGLAND 20104, courtesy of [http://blaik-pipes.ru/ Blaik-Pipes] | ||
Charatan Relief XL.jpg|CHARATAN MADE BY HAND REG. NO. 203573FREE HAND RELIEF XL, courtesy of [http://blaik-pipes.ru/ Blaik-Pipes] | Charatan Relief XL.jpg|CHARATAN MADE BY HAND REG. NO. 203573FREE HAND RELIEF XL, courtesy of [http://blaik-pipes.ru/ Blaik-Pipes] | ||
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* You may also enjoy listening to Brian Levine's interview of Ken Barnes on the [http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-178/ PipesMagazine Radio Show Part 1, February 9, 2016] and [http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-225/ Part 2, January 3rd, 2017]. Kennedy worked for Charatan starting at the age of 15, working for his father, who was managing director before the company was sold to [[Dunhill]], and he then moved on to start [[James Upshall]] with Barry Jones. | * You may also enjoy listening to Brian Levine's interview of Ken Barnes on the [http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-178/ PipesMagazine Radio Show Part 1, February 9, 2016] and [http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-225/ Part 2, January 3rd, 2017]. Kennedy worked for Charatan starting at the age of 15, working for his father, who was managing director before the company was sold to [[Dunhill]], and he then moved on to start [[James Upshall]] with Barry Jones. | ||
<blockquote><q>I need to point out that there seems to be some confusion around my father's position at Charatans and mine. My father, Kenneth Barnes, was the Managing Director of Charatan Pipes during the 1970s and I (Kennedy Barnes) was learning the trade at Charatans during this time and then formed the Tilshead Pipe Co. Ltd (James Upshall) with Barry Jones in 1978.</q></blockquote> | <blockquote><q>I need to point out that there seems to be some confusion around my father's position at Charatans and mine. My father, Kenneth Barnes, was the Managing Director of Charatan Pipes during the 1970s and I (Kennedy Barnes) was learning the trade at Charatans during this time and then formed the Tilshead Pipe Co. Ltd. ([[James Upshall]]) with Barry Jones in 1978.</q></blockquote> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||