what do you look for when buying estate pipes?

[bluenoser]

So an antique place about an hour away posted this add on kijiji for a bunch of pipes, pipe racks and tobacco jar/humidors

"Vintage pipes include --
Meerschanum Missouri
corn cob -- Kaywoodie --
Italy's Briar Bull pipe --
Walkey -- and others made
in Canada / England / Ireland
USA plus other countries"

I asked about pricing and if they had any big names like Petersons, Dunhills or Savinelli in the bunch and all they replied back was they didn't recognize the names and they're prices range anywhere from $8-90. I'm guessing the higher prices are what they're looking to get for the pipe jar/racks. I haven't checked out too many vintage or antique shops around but any I have are notorious for "over valuing" their inventory so they may or may not be decent.

Looking through the pictures there's a couple there that I think look interesting, but they look like they could use a good cleaning, some stem replacement/cleaning and such. Thinking I might try to stop in next time I'm in the city and see what they are and what kind of prices they have. Haven't bought any estate pipes yet and, while SWMBO think's I have too many now, I would like to get some, maybe even find some big named and more varieties to the overflowing pipe rack.

What do you look for when buying estates?
What do you consider a good deal?
See anything in the pics on the ad that I should look at?

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[Cool Breeze]

I wouldn't be able to say whether I'd be interested just looking at the pics. I'd have to hold them.
An hour's drive isn't bad. One Saturday, take a drive over and take a look. Hell, I love antique shops anyway. I spent several hours going to 4 or 5 different ones today. Bought a bent Peterson Kildare (posted a pic in the "what have you bought lately" thread).

As far as what I look for, I keep an open mind. Now I don't buy corn cobs or new production Grabows.

I do like older vintage Dr. Grabows, and have 2 that smoke fantastic that I picked up for $8 each.

This is a pre-Republic Peterson Shamrock that is my best find so far at only $20.



I have purchased 2 Petersons, 2 Ben Wades (one a fantastic freehand), 2 vintage Dr. Grabows, 1 Kaywoodie from the 1950s, and several others at antique shops or flea markets.

As for what I consider a good deal, I'm looking for the big name brands like you mentioned. Most antique shops will price them in the $20-30 range (at least around here). The problem is, they usually have Grabows prices at that amount as well, often with stems all chewed to hell. You have to sort through a lot of crap.

Also, one thing they do around here is have a box full of pipes, just laying in there on top of each other. Usually they're $8-10 each. I have found the 2 vintage Grabows and a very cool London made Ben Wade apple shaped in those.

Overall, just have a good time at the antique shop. You never know what you're going to find.
Also, don't feel bad if you leave empty handed. Don't buy a crap pipe just because you want to buy one. I did that some when I first started and have a few pipes that I literally never touch.

Have fun. Hunting for them is half the fun.

[Pipe Smoker]

On SmokingPipes, I look for “Smoked, but rather clean.” That’s their code for unsmoked estate pipes. Don’t know why they do it that way. I’ve scored several unsmoked pipes so described.