Modelled after the old clay tavern pipes of yesteryear, they are among our most slender and elegant designs, featuring a number of smaller bowl shapes paired to elongated fishtail mouthpieces, and available in a variety of finishes. Apart from the unique example of the Coronation pipe (1902) K&P’s business policy had never contemplated commemorative pipes. However, times change and 1975 was a special year, being the firm’s centenary. During that time it was thought that the firm had been established in 1875, but recently further extensive research has unearthed more evidence to suggest that the firm may have been founded ten years earlier. Thus, in 1975 to celebrate the centenary two different models were issued (one straight and one bent) with one hundred pieces of each type. The P-Lip mouthpiece was originally designed by Charles Peterson in 1865.
Inevitably they come in their original packaging and to my mind, are a window back in time. The draw is good, and the flavour is particularly great in new pipes. As for the aesthetics and ergonomics, I find some shapes much more attractive than others. Favourites for me are the 1s, 2s, 3s, the Mark Twains and the Darwin deluxe.
captain black tobaccoHere the smoke is directed selectively into the throat area and thus protects sensitive tongues. Most Peterson pipe series are also available with a regular mouthpiece (FT – Fishtail). Flying in the face of the condemnation of smoking on health grounds, the pipe appears to be going through a gradual upturn in popularity. No longer considered the province of older middle aged males, it appears to be gaining in popularity, particularly with significant numbers of younger people. Rising pipe tobacco sales suggest that pipe-smoking is making an unlikely comeback. Many old things eventually become trendy again and the latest yesteryear fashion making a comeback, appears to be pipe smoking.
peterson pipesThis modest increase is credited by many to retro-loving students. Facebook and MySpace have thousands of members signed up to various pipe smoking enthusiast groups. Let us hope that Peterson continue to flourish in this new groundswell of optimism and the hope for the increased demand for quality classic pipes.
The new shop, formerly the John Morton Jewellers and Silversmiths, first opened its doors in 1875. This firm featured in the news when a Celtic salver with the special commemorative hallmark of ‘An Claidheamh Soluis’ (Sword of Light) to mark the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916, went for sale on Ebay. The shop has seen a lot of history, it was located just around the corner from the end of Grafton St. on Nassau St.one side of which is the campus of Trinity College. The Darwin, of course, is a truly outstanding pipe, its only “flaw” being that it’s not a clencher. One particular aspect of this pipe that appeals to me most is its physical beauty and presence.
The ‘Original’ series was introduced piece meal, every 6 months a new shape until the 7 day set was complete. The same procedure was later adopted for the next series, Return of Sherlock Holmes. In 1899, Peterson opened the first in a series of several successive shops in London, England, that lasted until the late 1960s/70s. From 1950 to the present time, the stamp for this era is “Made in the Republic of Ireland” in a block format generally in three lines but two lines have been used with or without Republic being abbreviated.
Peterson suggested that the brothers go into partnership with him to turn his smoking pipe into the world’s best briar pipe. Kapp and Peterson went on to become Dublin’s most fashionable and respected manufacturer and purveyor of fine tobacco smoking products. Pipe and cigar smokers would stroll down to the elegant premises for professional advice on the subtle nuances that determine a good handmade cigar or briar pipe. The Peterson brand was embraced by politicians, business leaders, sportsmen, artists and writers.
chacom tobacco pipesThere must have been a fourth production of Mark Twain pipes, for there is evidence of Mark Twain pipes with silver dates for the 1990s. During the 1970’s Peterson had a large display of pipes in the Shannon Airport Duty Free Shop for passengers. These were on display in a floor cabinet measuring approximately 6’ x 3’. Shannon airport outlet sold a considerable amount of pipes during its period of existence, covering all qualities, from the basic entry level Aran series up to the De Luxe Systems. They also stamped some mid range pipes with the mark ‘SHANNON’.
All similar to the first issue, with XL bowl sizes and similar sterling silver bands with the SH stamp. Within a year, Frederick employed a young Latvian woodworker named Charles Peterson to help with production and repairs. While crafting quality, innovative tobacco pipes has been central to our brand, we understand the importance of possessing smoking accessories of the same calibre.