italian

Savinelli 00 Autograph #514 7906JTL

We are working ourselves slowly down the ladder, having
started with a 000. The 00 is rare enough and the grain is
worthy. As is standard for the Autograph, this pipe can either
employ the Savinelli balsa filter, or not. New. Price: $650
6" long, bowl 2.75" tall. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 83 grams.

Caminetto #12151421

5.8" long, bowl 2.4" high. Weight: 2.25 oz., 65 grams. New. $175

Caminetto #12151424

4.85" long, bowl 2.34" high. Weight: 2.25 oz., 63 grams
New. Price: $165

Pulvers' Prior Briar
P.O. Box 61146
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Phone/Fax:
(650) 965-7403
Email:
mpulvers@aol.com

Pipe
Categories:

Don Carlos Canadian Two Note #71

Smooth, with original silver band. This has a visibly large bowl,
but, due to a very thick bowl wall, the tobacco chamber isn’t any
more capacious than the pipes listed above. Some pretty good
straight and flame grain on much of the bowl, although it falls
off on one side of the bowl. Nice bird’s eye on top of bowl.

Stats: 6 5/8” long, bowl 2” high
Weight 2.13 oz. 60.6 grams. New. $245

Dal Fiume Straight Grain Dublin 4 Knuckles E06 #9636

Tight s/g pretty much all around, in a natural finish that would
certainly reveal flaws, if there were any. I just looked at this
pipe under a magnifying glass and noticed an "E" stamped on
the bowl. That may be a grade. I bought the pipes, as I always
do, on their intrinsic merit, rarely looking at grade. Some
people need grades to tell them what a pipe is. After this many
years in the hobby, I don't really pay much attention to that,
except as it may inform my customers. At this point, I can only
guess that an E is a high grade. We'll see as we go along.
6 3/4" long, bowl 1 7/8" high: Weight; 1.32 oz., 37.6 grams. New
Price. $375

Dal Fiume Tapered Sandblast Billiard SB 07 #9646

Again we see a ring grain sandblast. We also see an
indentation on the front of the bowl where Gabriele wisely, in
my opinion, chose to expose the natural flaw in the wood rather
than fill it in, which almost every single pipe maker does with
sandblast pipes. I prefer to see the flaw, and think it adds
character to a pipe, which putty does not. Again, small & light..

5: long, bowl 1 13/16" high: Weight; 1.14 oz., 32.4 grams. New.
Price. $195

Castello Natural Vergin 4K #6220042

I am a natural sucker for a natural finish. In fact, I just bought
some very nice virgin finished pipes from U.S. pipe maker Ron
Fairchild, who makes a very good pipe for very little money.
the pipes were recently photographed, and I will endeavor to
get them on the site as quickly as possible. I caught up with
Ron at the Las Vegas show and you will see the results soon.

5 7/8" long, bowl 2 1/8" high: Weight; 2.44 oz., 69.4 grams. New
Price. $345

Castello 4K Old Antiquari Billiard #6220037

A tall, slender bowl, yet one with good tobacco capacity and a
character blast. As with #0035 just above, this is also a very
light pipe, for those of you who have failed to take care of your
teeth and gums over the years. Yeah, it's true, I'm always
thinking of ways to make your life just a little bit better.

5 3/4" long, bowl 2" high. Weight: 1.24 oz., 35.3 grams. New.
Price. $325

Amorelli Two Nail Flame Grain #6229951

The outer bowl is slightly oval, and the drilling of the tobacco
chamber is slightly off center, creating a thicker wall on one
side of the bowl. Call if charming or quaint. New. Price: $135
5 3/8" long, bowl 1 7/8" high. Weight: 1.43 oz., 40.6 grams

Baldo Baldi Extreme Straight Grain #98570

The grain on this pipe doesn't fall off anywhere. In fact, I could
use that old Woody Allen line, "she not only has a body that
won't quit, it won't even take a coffee break." But this is not a
pipe for wimps, like me. It's big. Despite very thick walls (and a
rim that is a still-life for Bird's Eye) the bowl is easily able to
house my thumb. My price on this is criminally low. New.
Price: $2250

6 7/8" long, bowl 2.75" high. Weight: 4.25 oz., 122 grams.

Radice Clear Oil Cured Twin Bore #514 8202 (RESERVED)_

Among the last of the highly regarded, and now vainly sought
after Oil Cured, Twin Bores from the Radice family. This is new
and pretty large, with a wide-open draw. New. Price: $265
5.8" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 59 grams.

Cristom Apple #12151434

The kind of pipe that will grow on you. It's a bit pudgy, a bit
stocky, plagued by unimpressive grain. So, what does it have
going for it? Like the Cristom pipe above it, it has a feel, a
certain something that makes me believe it will become
somebody's favorite. The size just makes it so easy to pick up
and carry and the uncoated bowl and unfilled wood give one
good reason to think it's going to deliver a great smoking
experience. I'd like to be modest and say that all of this is
guesswork, which it is, but my intuition is rarely wrong in these
cases. Why is that? For whatever reason, it goes to show
what can be done with only half a brain. New. $145
5" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 41 grams.

Caminetto #12151414

5.8" long, bowl 2.12" high. Weight: 3 oz., 85 grams. New. $175

DG SB + Butterfly #5102865

This falls into the nature of being one of Gabriele's signature
shapes, and it pretty much becomes a question of whether you
prefer the natural or black sandblast finish. New. Price: $215
5.5" long, bowl 1.44" high. Weight: 1.5 oz., 41 grams.

Castello 4K Sea Rock #7213314

It's the spiral shank that distinguishes this from others of its ilk.
The rest you know, as it's a Castello. New. Price: $380
5.5" long, bowl 1.68" high. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 59 grams.

Castello 4K Old Antiquari Shape 84 #7213325

For whatever reason, this pipe has a shape # stamped on the
bottom of the shank while many others don't. Consistency is
not a bad thing in manufacturing, even artisan manufacturing.
The blast shows good character and the size is manageable.
5.7" long, bowl 1.8" high. Weight: 1.75 oz., 48 grams.
New. Price: $400

Ascorti Business #1121218

4.8" long, bowl 2.25" high. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 59 gr. New. $115

Paolo Becker Two Club #5225338 (SOLD 8/18/10)

I don't think Paolo Becker's position as the foremost Italian pipe
maker is debatable. This Poker is one of his most popular
shapes, and it's easy to see why. New. Price: $545
5.4" long, bowl 2.4" high. Weight: 1 oz., 29 grams.

Castello 3K Sea Rock Shape 16 #314 7524

A fairly old Castello; prior to the 40th anniversary, in any case.
The condition is excellent, with a crisp rim (sorry...it happens,
we forgot to shoot the top-down angle). There is a little tooth
indent on the bottom of the stem. Used. Price: $145.

Radice Clear #712 8347 (SOLD 8/21/10)

In excellent condition, this is certainly a handsome, well
proportioned Bulldog by the celebrated Radice family of a
father and two sons. Despite the thick wood, there is still good
chamber capacity. It's certainly comfortable in hand and mouth.
5.5" long, bowl 1 7/8" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 55 grams. Used. $85

Castello 4K Old Antiquari #5225327

This is such a pretty little shape, with such a comfortable feel to
it that I bought two of them. New. Price: $400
5.85" long, bowl 1.8"high. Weight: 1 1/4 oz., 37 grams.

Baldo Baldi B3 #818 8577BMC

You could safely call this in pristine condition. Whoever gets it
will have to finish breaking it in. Besides the thin, tight straight
grain pattern, this is a manageable sized Baldi. The shape,
proportions and bend are those of the master. Used.
5 1/8" long, bowl 2 1/8" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 50 grams. $450

Dal Fiume Butterfly #5225389

Gabriele makes such a graceful horn, which, more importantly,
can easily be smoked without jeopardizing your slacks. If you
see the bit of plateau on the right side of the bowl you are
looking at a technique used by some of the best Danish carvers
6" long. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams. New. Price: $435

Castello 3K Old Antiquari shape 67 #818 8732KF

This is large enough so that I am nearly certain that this would
receive a G size-designation today. The condition is excellent
and the stem very comfortable. The draw could be better. This
is a pre 40th Anniversary model. Used. Price: $150.
5.9" long, bowl 1.95" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 52 grams.

Radice Clear Twin Bore & Oil Cured #1186199

This pipe has a large bowl, and a large chamber capacity. The
cross grain is quite good and the draw is completely open. the
oil curing almost assures a great smoke from wood that is hand
chosen and very good to begin with. New. Price: $265.
5.2" long, bowl 2.4" high. Weight: 3 11/8 oz., 87 grams.

Castello 2K Old Antiquari #12186526

The blast is better on the side not photographed, although with
the value it represents in today's market, it should not matter.
The 2K size, by the way, is plenty large enough. It certainly
matches a Dunhill Group 4. New. Price: $370
5.6" long, bowl 1.5" high. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 46 grams.

Pipa Croci Gran Camino Artistica #818 8661PJ

I'm in a bad mood and that is going to effect this description, so
take that into account. This pipe is a good example of how to
take a good hunk of briar and prove your carving
incompetence, and I'm not even referring to the ugli shape and
senseless nodule (is it a result of the pipe carver's
subconscious need to confess, or complain, to the world that
he is walking around with a 1" dick?). No, I'm talking more
specifically about the horrendously uneven, out of round,
chamber rim. That's why I'm not showing a top shot of the bowl.
I don't want to queer a possible sale. Oh yes, the draw is a bit
difficult, too. Here's the kicker, this thing is list priced at $180.
I'd be ashamed of myself. One more thing I just noticed. It has
a flat bottom and doesn't sit up. This is not helping my mood.
6.4" long, bowl 2.5" tall. Weight: 4 oz., 115 grams. New. $95

Becker #2147258JTL

Multiple shades of brown, including the brindle stem, make this
such an appealing pipe, along with the wide, Bird's Eye ridden
bowl rim. On top of that, the pipe is unsmoked. New. $245
5.3" long, bowl 2" high. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 68 grams.

Armellini AAAA #818 8665PJ

Do not ask me why there is that protective wire, but we do know
that the pipe is a pure virgin. I also don't know what the 4As
mean, but I would have to guess that it refers to the great
amount of straight grain on this flawless (from what i can see,
and I did use a magnifying glass) piece of briar. It actually
holds comfortably, but I think it would take a big hand. BTW,
this has a nearly flat bottom, but it does not sit up. New.
6.3" long, bowl 2.5" tall. Weight: 3 5/8 oz., 103 grams. $125

Castello "Castello" 4K #411 7621JT

An extremely well designed, great-to-hold Billiard. The grain is
not far from being a occhio, but as a pipe it can more than hold
its own. Now, a small failure of mine was the omission
of pulling down the wings in the silver ferrule for one of the
photos. Those "piagino" or bands fold out and provide
water-wing style stabilizers for the pipe, which makes it a sitter
without a flat bottom. With all of that, the stem is thin and
comfortable and the draw wide open. Did I say that the
condition is excellent, with the merest hint of wear at one little
spot on the inner rim. Used. Price: $385
5.5" long, bowl 2" high. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 51 grams.

Savinelli Autograph 6 #186739EG

In excellent cond. and with excellent straight grain on the sides
of the bowl, this is a very comfortable, open drawing Auto. The
cleaner goes to the bottom, as it should. Used. Price: $160
5" long, bowl 2.2" high. Weight: 2.25 oz., 64 grams.

Castello 2K Old Antiquari #12186525

As one of my customers noted, the Castello that was once
considered a very high, perhaps overpriced, pipe now has to be
seen as providing great value for the quality. New. Price: $370
5.6" long, bowl 1.6" high. Weight: 1.75 oz., 51 grams.

Ser Jacopo Maxima Maxima L1 #818 8740KF

Just as large as its name would imply. It also sports a lot of
straight grain...on the shank as well as on the sides of the bowl.
The draw is open. I must say, I wonder why the previous
owner, who is not a large man, would have bought this
pipe...aside from its attractiveness. I mean, he should have
been able to tell that it was going to be too big for him and he
would have to sell at a loss. Well, it's both of our gain. Used.
7" long, bowl 2.4" tall. Weight: 4 1/8 oz., 118 grams. $215

Savinelli Autograph 4 #411 7832JTL

A new, beautifully grained sandblast Dublin with a light brown
contrasting inner bowl rim. The tenon can take a balsa filter if
you wish, but it is not at all necessary. New. Price: $145
5.8" long, bowl 2.5" tall. Weight: 2.25 oz., 64 grams.

Savinelli Autograph C #186833JTL

this pipe is new, and the "C" stands for, I believe, convertible, in
that it can take a balsa filter, if the smoker so desires. At the
moment, it has an adapter in the tenon, so no filter is at all
necessary. Regardless, the draw is wide open. Used. $110
5.9" long, bowl 2.2" high. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 66 grams.

Cavicchi Diamante #818 8752KF

The amber stem does not appear to be an original, and in fact,
I would stick with the black stem with the logo because it
provides a wide open draw while the amber does not. The pipe
is in excellent condition and with the very thick bowl, it can not
help but be a bit heavy, but hey, so what. used. Price: $400.
6" long, bowl 2 1/8" tall. Weight: 3 1/8 oz., 89 grams.

Savinelli Autograph 0 #186843JTL

Here is one of the coveted 0 grade Savinelli Autographs in new
condition. The pipe does not seem overly big, and is not too
heavy, but it does have a bowl large enough so that I can put
my thumb easily into the bowl, yet the walls are also good and
thick. New. Price: $450
5.8" long, bowl 2" high. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams.

Moretti #411 7719EP

All new with an open draw and lots and lots of straight grain. it
does fall off over the shank, but hey, look at the price on this
naked stained pipe. The wood is entirely exposed. How would
your body fare under such appraisal? Not this well, I'm sure.
6 .25" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 73 grams. $100

Castello Collection 1997 Pipe of the Year #411 7636

This is a very low #5 of 235 issued; these low numbers are
reserved for the best customers and dealers. It has an unusual
natural plateau top and heavy silver floc on the shank, plus a
very thin, comfortable stem and open draw. For those among
you with OCD, yes it does have the special silk sleeve and a
gray, limited edition box (although, happily, the pipe is in better
cond. than this box, which got beat up by jealous normal boxes.
5.5" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 54 grams. New. $700

Castello 3K Sea Rock 2146973JT

There are different collecting styles, of course, and one of them
dictates that the collector get as wide a variety of styles and
grades and years as possible. Another style, which I subscribe
to (purely from inclination and not the result of any
intellecualization) is, if I like a shape and size, get as many of
those as possible. Knowing that I am not the only person using
that approach, I present these two Sea Rocks next to one
another. They are not exact twins, but close enough if this is
your kind of pipe. They are even priced conveniently the same.
5.9" long, bowl 1.9" high. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 46 grams. $175

Radice Silk #514 8260

A large sandblast, into who's bowl I can insert my thumb. One
of the almost incontrovertible benefits of Italian pipes is the
access the good pipe makers have to good, large blocks of
briar. They get first, local crack of the wood and take
advantage of it. This pipe is a good example of that ability. New.
6" long, 2.2" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams. Price: $190

Posella F3 VIP #714 8342FH (SOLD 8/4/10)

This comes from the collection of one of the hobby's honored
(Dr. of Pipes from Chicagoland club) straight grain collectors.
Look at this grain and you'll see why he got it. Tight, tight
straight grain all around. I don't think you'll see many pipes
with this quality grain, and clean wood for this price. the
condition is excellent and the draw open. Used. $295
6 1/8" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 71 grams.

Davoli #3147323KF

Davoli was the business force behind the establishment of the
Caminetto name, basically taking Radice and Ascorti away from
Castello. He was not a pipe maker so I do not know who
madethis pipe for his s tore in Milan, but it is large, has good
grain and an open draw. Mostly, it has historical value. Used.
6.4" long, bowl 2.35" high. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 80 grams. $65

Radice Twin-Bore Oil Cured Bark #514 8264

A big bowled pipe with both a capacious chamber and rather
thick walls. The draw is wide-open, to go along with the
typically superb Radice craftsmanship. New. Price: $180
6" long, bowl 2.25" tall. Weight: 3 1/8, 87 grams.

Il Ceppo #411 7655JT

I have long thought that Il Ceppo is one of the most
undervalued pipes on the market. Their sandblasts are almost
always deep and grainy and full of character. Why the have
not received more recognition is beyone me. This pipe is a
beautiful, large smooth piece with an open draw and a good
deal of straight grain. The condition is excellent. Used.
5 3/4" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 3/4 oz., 79 grams. $150

Castello Sea Rock Shape 56 F #714 8327 (RESERVED)

Yes, it has the U.S. logo, but I think it is even older than that
might suggest; for one, there is no size designation. Also, the
nomenclature looks to be quite early. The cond. is exc. and if a
rustication can be said to have character, this one does. Used.
6 1/4" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1.25 oz., 37 grams. $145

Savinelli Non Pareil #714 8279

The stem is less than perfect, with minor tooth marks on the top
and bottom of an otherwise thin, flat vulcanite mouthpiece. The
bowl is in excellent condition with a touch of plateau on the rim.
6" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 54 grams. Price: $45

Castello Trademark #712 8526BM (SOLD 8/21/10)

This in no way appears to be that large a pipe, but the bowl
diameter is over an inch. Nonetheless, this pipe has been
around the block a few times. The nomenclature is very dim, it
has what appears to be a repair band (although no crack in the
shank is visible) and there is an area on the bowl that looks like
a fill, although, of course, it isn't. I'm letting this go cheap. $110
5 3/4" long, bowl 2 3/16" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 68 grams.

Radice Rind #411 7833JTL

Unsmoked, large Apple. The bowl easily accomodates my
thumb. In case you do not know, the shank is not real bamboo,
but rather is briar treated to look like bamboo. New. Price: $125
6" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 73 grams.

Radice Rind #411 7845JTL

Unsmoked and somewhat Horn-like. Again, we have an
example of the fine stem work made to look like bamboo. New
6.5" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 3/4 oz., 77 grams. Price: $125

Castello Sea Rock Shape 74 #712 8465

Pretty old, with not only the U.S. logo on the stem, but also an
absence of any "K"s to describe size. I'd bet this would be a G
because of the rather tall and sizable bowl. The cond. is exc.
with a crisp bowl rim and stem. Used. Price: $165
6 1/4" long, bowl 2 11/16" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams.

Radice Clear Twin-Bore #514 8255 (SOLD 8/16/10)

A large pipe with a tobacco chamber commodious enough to
take my thumb. That soft look appeals to me, and I know that
some of you do like that now-discontinued twin-bore feature. It
has a wide-open draw. The top of the rim is all Bird's Eye. New.
6" long, bowl 2.3" tall. Weight: 3 oz., 86 grams. Price: $240

Cavicchi 5 C #818 8726KF

I can't read the pipe maker's mind, but I'm going to guess that
the sand pit on the bottom of the bowl is the only thing keeping
this from being a Diamante because it certainly isn't the 360
degrees of tight, fine straight grain. The cond. is exc. Used.
5.75" long, bowl 1.65" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 55 grams. Price: $235

Mastro Beraldi Rustic #514 8093

This bent Acorn has a deep bowl , a wide-open draw and yes, it
does take a cleaner easily through to the bottom of the
perfectly drilled chamber. The stem is wide, for those who like
that feature. The chamber diameter is not too large. New.
5.3" long, bowl 2.7" high. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 74 grams. $92.50

Mastro Beraldi #514 8096

Basically an oval shanked Dublin, this pipe has such thick
chamber walls (over 1/2" thick) that the tobacco chamber is
has a relatively small diameter. The draw is open, of course.
6" long, bowl 2.2" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 68 grams. New. $92.50

Mastro Beraldi Rustic #514 8097

A large bent Billiard with a slightly rounder bowl and a slim
silver band across the shank (inset, and original). The bowl
chamber is large enough for me to get my thumb into, but
barely. It is also a deep bowl, so the capacity is considerable.
The draw is open and it takes a cleaner easily to the bottom.
6.2" long, bowl 2.4" tall. Weight: 3.25 oz., 92 grams. New. $92.5

Mastro Beraldi Rustic #514 8098

A decent verbal description of this shape is on the tip of my
fingers, but I can't quite put it together at this moment, having
nothing to do with the bottle of Pliny The Elder I just imbibed
with dinner. I could say that the bowl is tall and thin, but
faceted, like a Panel, which, actually, it certainly is. Bear
Graves would have done a marvelous job of elucidating how
the square shank complements the tall, paneled bowl. I'm sure
he would have thrown in some BS about the smooth, corner
lines. Well, look for yourself, it's a handsome, if not
conventional, pipe. The bowl is large enough for me to get my
finger into and the draw is wide-open. New. Price: $92.50
6.5" long, bowl 2.3" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 68 grams.

Ascorti # 712 8548

I think somebody used a lighter a bit indiscriminately (I do it
myself...you would not want me lighting your expensive pipes)
to create that little dark spot on the rim. The actual wear there
is slight...it is more unslightly than anything. Otherwise the pipe
is in exc. cond. with no marks on the stem and a decent draw.
5 7/8" long, bowl 1 7/8" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 50 grams. $45

Castello 2K Sea Rock Briar Shape 15 #714 8325 (SOLD)

The 15 appears to be placed between a Billiard and a Pot.
This one is very clean and crisp. Damn near pristine. The
walls are very thick, so the bowl is not large. This must have
been a European purchase because of the logo and the fact
that there is no 40th anniversary stamping on the shank. The
draw could be more open, another sign of an earlier model.
5 3/8" long, bowl 1 11/16" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 40 gr. $150

Castello Sea Rock #712 8518BM (SOLD 8/23/10)

The nomenclature on this pipe says Old Antiquari, but my
guess is it was stamped at about 4:55 on a Friday night and the
closest stamp to the pipe maker's hand said "Old Antiquari".
That is a repair band to protect against a fracture in the shank.
Also, I think I will have to open the air hole in the stem (which
has two minor tooth marks on the top of the stem. The bowl
and chamber are in exc. cond. The nomenclature is worn down
considerably, so I don't know the listed size, but it is large. Used.
5 7/8" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 48 grams. Price: $85

Radice Silk Cut Oil Cured Twin Bore 818 8646PJ (RESERV.)

This is one of those rare pieces of wood that is big enough and
good enough to be both a mantle piece as well as a
sit-in-the-armchair smoker. The blast is a scene stealer; the
chamber big enough to bury a thumb in. Not a common find.
10.5" long, bowl 3.5" tall. Weight: 4.5 oz., 126 grams. $350

Baldo Baldi #818 8774

What pipe has better straight grain than a Cavicchi Diamante?
Why a Baldo Baldi, of course. The straight grain here is 360
degrees with no fall-off. This is a new pipe. Price: $1250
6.6" long, bowl 1.95" tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 76 grams.