strangebrewonline

I picked up an antique Meerschaum Pipe today from a well established
pipe shop. The pipe specialist there said the pipe was about 100
years old, to which I dropped my jaw and said, "No Way!" He again
assured me that it was, and since he had it very reasonably priced at
only $65, I bought it. Does anyone know how to date Meerschaum's?

Thanks!

Ron.

chantymanjack1

(snipped atop)


If the pipe has a hallmarked metal ferrule or cap, you can use the hallmark to
date it.

Otherwise, with some exceptions, we get into approximations. People who have
lots of experience with meers can look at the quality of the carving and make a
fairly good guess. The dealer who told you your pipe is a 100 years old {in
snipped portion of posting} was probably right. But maybe it was 70 years old
or maybe 110 years old.

If the pipe or case for it is marked with the name of the carver, Turkish
exporter, US importer/distributor and you can learn what period the foregoing
was in business, you would have a further clue as to the age of the pipe.

BTW, if the stem is lucite, it is either a replacement or the pipe is not 100
years old <g>.


Fair winds,
Sailorman Jack
Port of New York
-------------------------------------------------------------
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." Professor Bernardo De La Paz in
Robert Heinlein's "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress"