Historical Pete

The Peterson Patent Catalogue above is from around 1898.
As can be seen from the illustrated cover, there are two figurative pipes depicted.
I have often admired the Lion head in particular and wondered if I would ever be fortunate enough to eventually find and acquire one.

Well wishes do come true,please meet my latest acquisition to the Sandpiper Peterson Pipe Museum. A Meerschaum version, which is even better in the 'flesh', a real stunner . Hallmarked for 1898 and in museum condition.

A Study in Peterson Sherlockiana.

A Study in Peterson Sherlockiana.

I have noticed recently on several pipe forums,that many pipe smokers appear to have rekindled their interest in the Sherlock Holmes legend.

I would deduce from this, that the re-incarnation of the original characters in recent Hollywood films, coupled to the screening of the new modern BBC television version has helped bring this situation about.

As most Peterson aficionados know the issue of the various Sherlock Holmes pipes by Peterson over the years has brought about a dedicated following for these charismatic, affordable collectables. This year the issue of the most recent versions sending a global buzz through the ranks of the many Holmes fans.

I have in my own collection the 'Original' seven day set and rack from the early 1990's, which was my first introduction to these pipes. Subsequently I added the 'Return' set of seven and rack, which was brought out to capitalise on the success of the 'Original'.They also issued around this time a 'Junior' version that failed to entice me, since they were smaller sized pipes and replicated the original shapes.

Later Peterson decided to introduce a quality Meerschaum version of the 'Original' seven day set, including a distinctive black wooden 7 pipe rack to contrast with the pale white pipes. These are high grade Turkish Block Meerschaums that are worth the $$ and the trouble to acquire them. They are not widely available. Likely the limiting factor is the availability of the Block, as Peterson has high standards for the Turkish Block they will use on these Pipes. The Block is carved in Turkey, Turkish law forbids the export of the raw Sepiolite, and are assembled in the Peterson factory. The Block is lighter in weight than the bit. These pipes smoke wonderfully and colour rapidly, with the use of Beeswax.

I am very fortunate to have acquired a full set and rack of these wonderful pipes which form the centrepiece of my modern Pete collection.

This year Peterson decided to add another four new briarpipes to the Sherlock Holmes series. These are now being issued as the 'Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' 4-pipe set. I have just added a smooth red version of the set to compliment my existing collection.

Very occasionally Peterson issue higher quality, one off versions, of the various Sherlock Holmes shapes. Most of these are released for trade exhibitions and shows, to advertise the inherent skills of the Peterson craftsmen at their very best. Most of these fine examples are finished with amazing silver-work. Examples of these rare pipes surface eventually through selected Peterson appointed retailers.

Again I have been fortunate to acquire some examples of these wonderful pipes.

Please see below examples from my various mini collections of this iconic range of pipes, which have helped cement Petersons world wide reputation for innovative pipe design for classic shape quality pipes.

Old Stuff.

Old Stuff

I love Peterson pipe history, as the regular Blog visitors may well know.

The brand is one of the few still going that can take you time travelling down the years.

As well as the hunting for and acquisition of older Pete pipes,I love looking for old Pete memorabilia.

Recently my good friends Mark Irwin and Gary Malmberg,drew my attention to an old significant Peterson related Postcard on E-bay, which caught their interest and was acquired for inclusion in the new book.

This prompted me to go hunting and to see if I could find any treasure.I managed to source a Postcard from around 1900 which appeared to show a Peterson Pipe.Even although it may not be one, it is clearly in the Peterson style.Coupled to the poem I thought it quaint and collectable.Evocative of golden times past.

Here is a photo of my new acquisition.

Some more Pete Porn!

Here are some more photos of my latest acquisition, a Sherlock Holmes XL15 Silver Cap 'Special'.
Please excuse the blatant showing off!!

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 4 Pipe Set.

The  Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 4 Pipe Set.

Having just celebrated my 65th Birthday I had decided that I needed a gift from myself .What to get?
After great deliberation I decided that I needed to crown my collection of the various Sherlock Holmes series with the latest 2011 four pipe 'Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' set.
I shopped around and eventually decided to purchase a smooth set from Cup O'Joes. Amazingly the set arrived four days after placing the order!!! how is that for service!Unbelievable.
I am pleased to share some early photos with you all.
I was initially apprehensive about purchasing them as they were very shiny!!!However it is the usual tale of seeing them up close and handling them.On arrival I was mightily impressed,in this Burgundy wine finish, they are simply stunning to look at.In the hand they are great and very tactile,especially the quirky sitter,the 'Hopkins' and the beautiful 'Gregson'(my personal favourite).
The 'Moran' is also a looker,of the four it is probably the most typical shape for inclusion to the esteemed Sherlock Holmes ranks.
The large billiard shaped 'Sylvius' is to my taste the least appealing as a lover of bent pipes.



Moran

Hopkins

Gregson

Sylvius

The Mysterious Peterson B-Shapes.

The Mysterious Peterson B-Shapes.

I have for some time been fascinated with the Peterson B designation on their shape charts. To my simple mind I found that they were confusing!!!Having said that I am a big fan of them,particularly the B42,B10 and the B11.

I set out to research the background and thought that some of you may be interested to read these brief notes.

The following are some Internet quotes that I gleaned from others on the subject.:-

“Ah, the Peterson "B" pipes, a series which serves as Peterson's super-secret testing grounds for new and unheard-of shapes.”

“Peterson's 'B' shapes are supposed to indicate a design idea more obtuse than we might see ordinarily in their roundup. Now, I've seen some 'B' shapes that certainly fit this bill and I've seen some that don't. This shape is most definitely the latter. That's probably why it's the most popular 'B' shape in Peterson's line; it's well balanced, nicely proportioned, and not really at odds with the general pipe shape aesthetic”.

“The "B5" shape is an interesting take on the classic bent Bulldog. Peterson has a few bent Bulldog shapes, most famous of which is the "80S". The "B5", however, sports decidedly different proportions, from the ratio of the area above the double beading to the area below it to, the size of the shank relative to the bowl”.

“The B10 is an interesting Calabash-Dublin hybrid, resulting in a fluid shape than the traditional Dublin, and a more solid aesthetic than the often whimsical Calabash”.

“Half bent Brandy, half Volcano sitter, the "B11" stands out even by Peterson's often eccentric shaping standards”.

“I have a Shamrock smooth B12, (like a Pete 150 with a brandy bowl). Smokes like a Peterson with slightly less attention to detail on the finish which I love the natural color of. Fairly nice grain and fit seems on par with his brothers.To state that Peterson "B" shape is unusual is something of a redundancy; in this family, the odd is the norm. Here we have a full-bodied, bent brandy matched to a wide, tapering diamond shank. It's composition is a marriage of hard edges and soft curves, and it is pulled off with excellence”.

“A newer Peterson B shape, the B26 is a tall poker sporting a low-slung shank and transition, making for a rather conspicuous profile. It also happens to make for a pretty nice sitter, a fit comfortable in hand, and a pipe with plenty of chamber.”

“A Peterson St. Patricks Day (2010) in shape B-30. It's a nice thick-walled dublin but surprisingly lightweight. The thick walls of the bowl make it an incredibly cool smoke, and it's a very comfortable shape. The only problem is that the shape B-30 seems unique to the 2010 St Patrick's day series .

There's a few subtle, interesting hints of Danish shaping going on in the new B30, a shape that seems to have made its début in the 2010 St. Patrick's Day pipes.”

I have seen only one example of a B40,which was recently on display on the Alpascia website. It is in the form of a Kapp Royal. Similar in shape to the Darwins(B42).However Alpascia list it as a medium size pipe??.

I wrote to Peterson's asking for clarification on the B designation in their shape numbers, here is their response, (June 2011).

1.Question - What does the B stand for?. – Answer “It is a reference only”.
2. Question - When (which year) did you first start using them?. – Answer “Circa 1998”
3. Question - How many are there in the series?.- Answer “We started with 7 pieces and this has now been reduced to just 3”.
4. Question - What are the numbers,e.g.B5,B10,B11,B42? etc. - Answer “Our B Series numbers were B1 – B2 - B5 - B7- B8 – B10 and B11, only B5 - B10 and B11 remain.”

Note: We use the letter “B” as a stock reference for all new shapes e.g. The Darwin series is a B42 but they are not classed as the “B” Series.

Clear? OK. Or still confused?