Since 2020 MBSD Ingram LLC, owner of MBSDpipes.com, has been the trusted supplier of smoking tobacco pipe enthusiasts world-wide. We know how smoking tobacco pipe owners loved their pipes – the feel of the pipe in our hands, the sensation of the stem on our lips when enjoying our favorite tobacco mix. I have rarely seen this series of pipes for sale previously, it has been a complete mystery as to the quality of briar, finish and smoking qualities. When Tom Palmer bought the Peterson business at the beginning of the nineteen nineties’, he adopted the policy of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.
The result is that all the moisture flows into the reservoir and, thuscannot reach the smoker’s mouth. In 1985 there was a 3rd numbered limited edition of 1000 pipes issued to commemorate the writer’s 150th birthday anniversary.1835 – 1985. These were all gold banded and in a special presentation box in the shape of a Twain book.
There must have been a fourth production of Mark Twain pipes, for there is evidence of Mark Twain pipes with silver dates for the 1990s. The Peterson System is still the most popular line Peterson produce, along with the P-Lip mouthpiece. Each briar pipe is made in the Dublin factory by skilled craftsmen and enjoyed the world over. Over 100,000 pipes are made every year at the Peterson factory; traditionally most are smoked in the UK & Europe, but increasingly more are being enjoyed by smoker’s worldwide. In this group you will find the basic entry level pipes which many smokers desire and are most comfortable with for every day and rotation use.
Should you have a System pipe with this metal extension, do not remove it for it will make the System function properly and give you a dryer smoke. The Peterson Pipe legend began in 1865 when the Kapp brothers of Nurnberg opened an elegant tobacconist shop on Grafton Street, Dublin. They soon made a name for themselves making and chacom tobacco pipes selling quality Meerschaum and Briar Root pipes. One day Charles Peterson walked into the Kapp Brothers’ Grafton Street premises armed with a revolutionary tobacco pipe and ambitious plans for the future. Peterson suggested that the brothers go into partnership with him to turn his smoking pipe into the world’s best briar pipe.
Over the years I have found this to be a recurring problem for new entrants to the world of Peterson pipes. Regular Email correspondence requesting clarification on grades has shown me that it begs clarification. I have attempted to make this process somewhat easier for those not familiar with the various ranges, by adjusting the current system of Petersons nomenclature in line with 4 simple qualitative grouping criteria. For example with Group 1 being the highest in qualitative and monetary value terms, the others then in descending order of quality, cost etc. On looking back over the previous Peterson history, Tom considered that most changes should come in the extension to the main pipe range and with the regular issuing of new shapes and series.
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. The idea behind this is; the smoke leaving the smaller diameter and entering the larger diameter will expand and slow down, thus dropping more moisture before entering your mouth. To some people the cleaning of system pipes can appear to be problematic, in fact they are in most cases easy to clean.
Tom also believes that, ”the major changes have been re-focussing our outlook on the smoker and given him variety and something to look forward to every year. We have always stayed close to our roots –our pipes are still seen as ‘traditional’ and I think that this is very important”. As young Latvian talented pipe maker from Riga, Charles Peterson joined Kapp in 1865. This firm was created in 1865 from two German brothers who initially emigrated to London, one of whom later opened a shop in Dublin. Around 1876, Peterson was hired to make tobacco pipes on order. After the death of both brothers, Peterson takes things for the son, who is still too young to run a business.