The second stamp is a crowned harp which is a fineness mark denoting the high quality of silver that was used. I have included a larger screen capture of the section on the third column of the chart in the photo below.I have drawn a red square around the date letter below. It identifies the date of this Peterson’s pipe to 2000.I knew that I was dealing with a pipe that the hallmarks date to 2000. Now it was time to learn a bit more about the Flame Grain Line. A bent brandy “setter,” like its sibling the B10 it seems to have originally appeared in the high-grade Rosslare Royal Irish line in 2003 and from there appeared in most every Peterson line.
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 story of Peterson begins in England in the mid-19th century when the two German immigrants captain black tobacco Georg and Friedrich Kapp opened a meerschaum pipe shop in London in 1865. There he met the young Lithuanian immigrant Karl Christoph Peterson, who as a craftsman had developed a knack for making pipes. Frederick hired this man, who from then on specialized in making bespoke pipes. Not only was Peterson a man of action, he was also smart.
The next pipe I have chosen is a multi-faceted finish Peterson’s African Block Meerschaum pipe. This one is an apple shaped pipe that has facets around the bowl and shank. The rim top is flumed as was the style of the 60s and 70s. It came to us from the estate of Anglican minister that was a great friend of mine here in Canada. Today, more than 150 years later, our patented System pipes and Classic designs can be found in brick and mortar and online retailer shops across the globe. We’ve seen enormous change in our century-and-a-half of pipemaking.
We also have a huge selection of Savinelli Pipes, Rattray’s Pipes and pipe tobacco. Peterson pipes, made in Ireland, provide the pipe smoker with a wide selection of briars. Most Peterson pipe models are available with either a standard, traditional stem (called a “fishtail”) or the famous Peterson “p-lip”, which directs the smoke toward the roof of your mouth to reduce the chance of burning your tongue. While crafting quality, innovative tobacco pipes has been central to our brand, we understand the importance of possessing smoking accessories of the same calibre. From pipe pouches to rustic tampers and sleek lighters, our accessories complement our tradition of craftsmanship, each tailored to pair elegantly with our pipes.
Indeed, it is on this groundbreaking design that the worldwide reputation of Peterson rests. During the last hundred years, Peterson has grown tremendously without losing sight of its original dedication to quality, handcrafted products at a reasonable price. Within a year, Frederick employed a young Latvian woodworker named Charles Peterson to help with production and repairs. I’ve chosen these as both are excellent aids in relaxation and contemplation through their effortless smoking qualities. However, the journey towards “Zen” through both has been quite different, and I think highlights how sometimes similar results can come from radically different paths. I’m a photographer, a bit of a writer, a radio amateur and a big pipe smoking enthusiast.