Description

This is a classic design larger capacity pipe of the period which is also seen in meerschaum from the late 18th century through the war period. Fluted design on the bowl which is seen on clay pipes ranging from this size to half as big. The removable genuine vulcanite/hard rubber curved stem is hand ground to fit and held in by a cork liner in the clay hole. (vulcanite is basically the European term for hard rubber) This was considered the top of the line in period clay smoking pipes and still meets that standard. Overall length is 10″. Each piece bears the period label of S. Rosenfeld & Sons, Baltimore, a documented dealer in such goods. (unused original pipes we have examined, like many other period items, have born a such a pasted dealer/seller label as opposed to the actual maker) These pipes are made in Germany by a family firm who relatively recently discovered the original molds for the pipes which have been in the family, some for over two centuries. The kiln fired pipes are made on the original molds utilizing the original rolled clay process. These are not the more fragile poured slip mold pipes, much more cheaply produced and most often seen on the market today. They are made of rolled clay pressed into the molds and the result is considered a better, cooler smoking pipe with a longer life. They are distinctly identifiable as the surface of the pipe is not quite as smooth as the slip pipes with occasional surface imperfections. The black pipes are also made with a traditional process which takes the white clay pipe through an additional step giving it the black color and are thus priced accordingly.