I was told in no uncertain fashion that I had to adopt a more systematic approach! I tailored my approach to our own environment, which involved limited space. After some captain black tobacco investigation I decided on a system of storage using a large number of Peterson 12 pipe display cassettes enough to house my burgeoning collection, now around 500 pipes.
There was also a miniature version of Sherlock Holmes pipes issued around the same time. These were smaller bowled pipes at around two thirds the size of the originals and replicated those shapes. In the 1960s Peterson hallmarked all gold mounted pipes but apparently they used their own marks on silver. This practice stopped at the end of that decade when they started to have all silver bands hallmarked. In 1966 a “Jubilee ” fourth hallmark was introduced, only for that year, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916.
It was first issued to honour Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous fictitious detective character, Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is perhaps the most famous pipe smoking character in fiction. Again this was a time of great change for the brand, the company having changed ownership on several ocassions. However it was also one of great creativity, with the introduction of several commemorative series and some new literary character series of pipes that would leave a very lasting impression on the pipe smoking fraternity.
With such a long history as Peterson pipes’, there have been a vast amount of collections and special issues, which makes Peterson pipes especially interesting for serious collectors. Victory Pipes is home to many iconic brands; here we welcome you to the world of Peterson of Ireland craftsmanship, where elegance and dedication to quality go hand in hand. Choose from Peterson Killarney, Standard Quality, Kinsale or Tyrone pipes. We also have special edition Peterson Pipes like the Sherlock Holmes pipe line.
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. Around 1916, Peterson began stamping their pipes “Made in Ireland” in what is referred to as a block format. The commencement of the year 2015 will see the Peterson brand celebrating its 150th anniversary. This event will coincide with the publication and launch of a new detailed Peterson reference book, in tandem with a new commemorative pipe issue. It is hoped that the launch will take place in May of 2015 at the Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show, held every year at the Pheasant Run Resort in St Charles, Illinois. Their famous motto, The thinking man smokes a Peterson Pipe, is a nod to perhaps their most famous customer, the fictional Sherlock Holmes.
In the early 1990s Kapp & Peterson made this giant, classic full bent, smooth pipe exclusively for Bonds of Oxford Street London. Bonds seem to have an endless source of New Old Stock Peterson pipes. Inevitably they come in their original packaging and to my mind, are a window back in time. The pre-republic Peterson’s are often considered to be rather special by Peterson pipe smokers.They hark back to a time when quality briar was in abundance and craftsmanship was of the highest level. Like all collecting desirables, pre-republic pipes are now relatively hard to come by, with availability declining with each passing year. The amazing thing that I find with pre-Republic’s is the consistently high smoking qualities that they show, regardless of being a high or low grade issue.
Designed as a hand holding a flaming sword in Irish “an Claíomh Solais” or “sword of light” the mark bears the date 1916 to the right above and 1966 to the left below. An Claidheamh Soluis (Old Irish spelling), this was hallmarked with the letter Y. This very unusual and special date mark has in recent years captain black tobacco become very scarce, mainly because it was only used for that year. Pipes that were marked thus, are much sought after by Peterson pipe collectors. Around 1876 Charles Peterson, a young, newly arrived, Latvian immigrant was hired by Fredrick as a pipe craftsman, primarily to make custom ordered briar pipes.
If the son is old enough, he decides to become a doctor and Peterson takes over the shares in the company. The company is renamed Kapp & Peterson.In 1890 Peterson came with the system pipe, a great invention that is still the basis for the ever-continued success of this brand. The system pipe has a separate space in the pipe, where the moisture can collect, making the pipe cool and dry. A few years later the P-Lip, the unique Peterson mouthpiece, appears. This characterizes the company, which continues to make the same models. Generally when pipe smokers get together and discuss the system pipes they are divided as towhether they like or dislike them,in particular the P lip stem which has many detractors.
A Peterson pipe isn’t just a utilitarian tool; it’s a piece of history you can carry with you in your travels, a faithful companion to accompany you through all that life offers. The old shop on Grafton Street, which was all on one level and had limited space to accommodate large amounts of display stock. The new premises is on four levels, plus a tasteful basement lounge area dedicated to large displays of Cigars and walk in humidor. Knowing Tom and his dedication to his company image and promotion, I am sure that all will be completed and up and running for the celebration of the company’s 150 year anniversary celebrations in 2015. I am privileged in that I have a good variety of both entry and higher grade captain black tobacco within my collection.