Radice Clear F #4242634
Excellent condition, good grain, the smoking properties you
expect from a Radice.  You can see that this was done by
people who know how to make a pipe.  Used. Price: $110
5.6" long, bowl 2" high. Weight: 1.5 oz., 43 grams.
Caminetto #12151421
5.8" long, bowl 2.4" high. Weight: 2.25 oz., 65 grams. New. $145
Caminetto #12151424
4.85" long, bowl 2.34" high. Weight: 2.25 oz., 63 grams
New. Price: $145
Ascorti #1261953
Large and in excellent condition, if not better.  Used. $65
6.6" long, bowl 2" high. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 68 grams.
Dal Fiume  Grade SB + Butterfly #5102864
When choosing the pipes from Gabriele Dal Fiume at the
Chicago show, I was informed by Gabriele that this one was not
available, as it was chosen by Tarek Manadily for himself.  In
his typically generous fashion, Tarek insisited that I take the
pipe, so in that same generosity of spirit, I want to lead off the
Italian page with what I will call Tarek's pipe.  If you know Tarek,
you are aware that he is one of the most astute pipe men in the
world.  Any one recommendation by Tarek is worth 5 from me.  
The treatment on the top of the bowl, of which you can see a
little, is very handsome.  The bowl is uncoated and the draw is
completely open.  New. Price: $350
5" long, bowl 1.78" high. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 45 grams.
Pulvers' Prior Briar
P.O. Box 61146
Palo Alto, CA  94306

Phone/Fax:
(650) 965-7403
Email:
mpulvers@aol.com
Pipe
Categories:
Sea Rock KKK. #7563
This is a simple, straight shanked Prince with a very narrow,
and fairly thin stem for those that like that kind of feel in their
mouth.  I happen to be of that bent and so this pipe appeals to
me.  What Greg Pease noticed about my smoking habit is that I
tend to shove the stem deep into my mouth, which is why, he
opined, I prefer Billiards and Princes, which tend to have long,
straight stems.  I never noticed that, thinking that everybody
holds a pipe as I do.  Clearly not.  And here I thought I liked
Billiards and Princes best because they inherently smoked
better than other pipes.  Oh, foolish me.
Stats: 5 5/8” long, bowl 1” high: Weight; 1.15 oz. 32.8 grams.
New. $295
Castello Occhio di Pernice. #1807  
I confess, I bought this for myself, but I haven’t got the heart to
light a fire to it…yet.  I am a sucker for great cross grain and
bird’s eye, and this pipe has that, plus the narrow, slim stem
that I always look for and the relatively small size Billiard.  I’m
not going to oversell this pipe.  If it sells, fine, if not, I know
exactly where it can find a very welcoming home.
Stats: 5 ½” long, bowl 1 ¾” high: Weight; 1.17 oz. 33.4 grams.
New. $485
Castello Old Antiquari G, Lovat. #89  (SOLD7/2/08)
I was taught to call this gorgeous style of sandblast a ‘curtain
grain’ for the way the accentuated part of the grain seems to
fold over like drapery.  On this pipe, the grain goes all the way
around,  The rim top is smooth with a handsome contrasting
brown color.
Stats: 6” long, bowl 2 ¼” high: Weight; 1.56 oz 44.3 grams.
New. $345
Don Carlos 1/4 Bent Apple, Two Note. #65
Very similar in shape to #2 above, but in an even lighter stain,
and with a cross grain/ Bird’s Eye pattern that will pop out
gorgeously when smoked. This is a very smokeable pipe for
those built more for comfort than speed.
Stats: 5 5/8” long, bowl 1.5” high;
Weight; 1.59 oz. 45.3 grams. Used. $245
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
Amorelli 2 Nail Half Bent Bell Dublin #8896
clean, clear wood defines the best of the Amorelli pipes, and I'm
going to mention that quality a lot in this group of pipes
because it's such a crucial feature.  While the grain here isn't
spectacular, there is some nice flame grain that will pop out as
this natural color darkens, highlighting the grain and giving the
pipe a marvelous patina.  And in my opinion, the uncoated bowl
adds to the pipe's appeal.
6 1/4" long, bowl 2 3/4" high: Weight; 2 5/8 oz., 76 grams.  New.
Price. $210. Normally $285
Paolo Becker 3 Heart #9612
I don't know what to call this shape.  It's not a Dublin or a Pot or
a Brandy, and it's not really a modified version of anyone of
them, either.  Is it a new shape?  It doesn't look that radical,
does it?  It sits up.  The bottom is all Bird's Eye and the grain is
tight all around.  It's exceedingly comfortable.  Why, I guess it's
a Paolo Becker.
Talking about Paolo Becker, his good friend, and mine, David
Field, thought he had the opportunity to fix Paolo (now
divorced) up with an attractive woman we know in Rome.  (As
an aside, David decided he would like to do this when he found
that he couldn't keep his own hands off this woman.  You know,
always touching her to make a point, etc.  Innocent looking, but
I know David well enough to realize that his blood was running
just a bit faster than usual).  Paolo responded with a phrase in
Italian that I was quick enough to understand, and the general
translation is that just when a man is finally comfortable and life
is going along smoothly, he can count on his friends to come
along and mess everything up for him.  Ain't that the truth?
5 5/8" long, bowl 1 9/16" high: Weight; 1.96 oz., 55.6 grams.
New. Price. $880
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. $470
Dal Fiume Sandblast Dublin SB 07 #9638
I will definitely have to get back to Gabriele to find out what all
of his nomenclature means.  There is an "SB" stamped on the
bottom, indicating sandblast (or sabbiata in Italian) but it also
has a '69' on it, and I don't know if that refers to his address or
a shape #....or something else.  The blast on this pipe is deep
and reveals a lot of grain.  The work around the end of the
shank is very good, with a recess for the stem.  That, plus the
smooth ring-like treatment means a lot of time and work went
into this well priced pipe.  This was a smart buy.
5" long, bowl 2 1/16" high: Weight; 11.57 oz. 44.7 grams. New.
Price. $260
Dal Fiume Virgin Sandblast  SB07#9642
This is quite small and short, but not at all teeny and well
capable of giving you a 30 minute smoke.  The numbers on the
bottom here are 65, so there is a chance that it does represent
a shape #.  We'll find out soon enough.  The 'SB' is there, so
sandblast works for that.  The attractive stem trim looks like
boxwood.  Some people charge more for pipes that have wood
good enough for a virgin finish.  Gabriele doesn't.
4 3/4" long, bowl 1 5/8" high: Weight; 1.28 oz., 36.3grams. New.
Price. $260
Dal Fiume Sandblast Billiard SB07 #9644
There is a lot going on here, not the least of which is my trying
to figure out how to name this shape.  It's a cross between a
Cognac (or Brandy) and a Billiard.  It also has the SB
designation, and it has clearly been sandblasted, but the depth
of the blast, and the projecting concentric circles make me think
it has also been carved.  I just can't tell.  In any case, it has a
great feel and look.  Those circles continue up the shank, so
some extra work ensued, huh?  Another compact pipe with a
well sized tobacco chamber.  
5 1/16" long, bowl 1 7/8" high: Weight; 11.44 oz., 41 grams. New
Price. $260
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. $260.  
Dal Fiume Virgin Sandblast Dublin SB07 #9650  
Terrific ring grain pattern on this 3 knuckle bamboo shanked
Dublin.  If you like thick walls in relation to the diameter of the
tobacco chamber, this pipe has that quality.  It does not look or
feel disproportionate, however and I am sensitive to that in
pipes.  I'm also noticing that Gabriele does not use a metal tube
as a tenon, as do most pipe makers when they're fitting the
tenon into the bamboo.  I think this will eliminate any threat of
condensation, and I take it as a good approach. He's been
doing this long enough for him to know that there are no
deliterious side effects to this construction.  Again, very light.
5" long, bowl 1 3/4" high: Weight; 1.15 oz. 32.8 grams. New.
Price. $260
Le Marche Straight Grain #7817
The draft hole is higher than it should be here, but that still
leaves an awful lot of bow in which to smoke your tobacco.  The
grain is equally good on both sides
5 7/8" long, bowl 2 1/4" high: Weight; 2.20 oz. 62.5 grams. New
Price. $90
Le Marche Straight Grain #7822
Fine in every respect, although in an attempt to avoid a full day
in the Synagogue on Yom Kippur (it's my interpretation that, if
on the Day of Atonement, one has nothing to atone for, why it
would just be a waste of God's precious time to sit and pray for
forgiveness when, yet again, there is nothing to forgive) I'm
going to tell you that there is no stamping at all on this pipe,
giving you ample opportunity to call it your own, and also note
that on the other side of the bowl, the straight grain only goes
up to the top of where the curve begins, above which is Bird's
Eye.  That ain't bad.  These pipes will darken beautifully.
5 5/8" long, bowl 2" high: Weight; 2.22 oz. 63.2 grams. New.
Price. $90
Le Marche Panel #7812
Possibly the least interesting of the grain patterns here, but in
all the important ways, a good pipe.  It's not stamped.  
5 7/8" long, bowl  2 1/4" high: Weight; 2.19 oz. 62.1 grams. New
Price. $90
Castello Natural Vergin 4K #6220042
I am a natural sucker for a natural finish.  In fact, I just ordered
two pipes from a relatively new French pipe maker in this
finish.The pipe maker's name is David Enrique and I was
introduced to him through Erwin Van Hove, the pre-eminent
Belgian Pipe Maven.  Give his website (you can find it) a look
and give him some support.  Support A Pipe Maker.  
5 7/8" long, bowl 2 1/8" high: Weight; 2.44 oz., 69.4 grams. New
Price. $345
Castello Occhio di Pernice #6220032
I actually have two of these, almost exactly alike and the only
difference I can see (outside of minor differences in the grain
pattern, but not in the quality of the grain) is that the one
pictured here is of slightly darker hue, and has a more recent
date in the castle logo.  This one says 55 and the other says
51.  I don't need to waste my 5 remaining brain cells in figuring
out the exact year of production.  You can do that just as well
as I can; one is eleven years after Castello's 40th anniversary
and the other is 15 years after.  Easy.  If you were as smart as
me (well, as smart as I would be if I had more than 5 viable
brain cells left.  If I had, let's fantasize, double that number) you
would know that Bird's Eye, which is what Occhio de Pernice
means, is much more attractive than straight grain, and it's
cheaper.  It's like getting twice as much for your money; you get
the beauty and the smugness that comes from knowing you've
just bested your peers.  
5 1/4" long, bowl 2 1/8" high: Weight; 2.2 oz. 62.5 grams. New.
Price. $545
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
Castello "Castello" Le Catene #6220048
A medium sized Dublin with that handsome chain silver band.  
Yes, the band is expensive, but with the grain on this pipe, I do
believe they could have easily called it a Fiamatta, jumping two
grading categories.  That's my opinion.  New. Price: $510
Amorelli Two Nail Straight Grain Dublin #6229954
Pretty darn good, tight straight grain all around. New. $145
5 1/2" long, bowl 1 3/4" high.  Weight: 1.25 oz., 35.5 oz.
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: $145
5 3/8" long, bowl 1 7/8" high. Weight: 1.43 oz., 40.6 grams
Paolo Becker 2 Club #6220029
Author, Columbus, Ohio pipe club Board member and
all-around gentleman, Regis McCafferty asked me about the
difference between Paolo Becker pipes and those of his father,
Fritz Becker.  Well, one of my few redeeming qualities is
knowing when I don't know (of course, this is made easier by
realizing I don't know anything) and I deferred by consulting
with David Field, who does know a lot  and is the U.S. importer
and distributor of Paolo Becker pipes.  What David said, and I
will try to pass on correctly, is that the legendary pipes of Fritz
Becker were almost always made jointly by Fritz and Paolo, with
the designs mostly Fritz's.  Since the passing of Fritz, and the
re-emergence of Paolo (he was pretty much held prisoner by
his retail obligations for a number of years) a marvelous
creative streak was unearthed and we now see the fruit of
someone who is almost incontrovertibly the most innovative and
refined pipe craftsman in Italy.  Any demurrers?  
5 5/8" long.  Weight: 1.51 oz., 43 grams. New. Price: $445
Tonino Jacono #7260415
5 115/16" long, bowl 2" high. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 54 grams. New
Price: $115
Tonino Jacono "Sitter" #7260422
5 3/4" long, bowl 2 1/8" high.  Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 61 grams. New
Price: $115
Castello Old Antiquari GG #7260331  
Castello knew what they were doing when they sandblasted this
pipe.  It's curtained with deep, beautifully spaced ring grain
from top to bottom.  The bowl is almost cavernous and yet the
pipe feels extremely light for it's size.  Even in an era when
there are few places and/or little time to have a good, long
smoke, somebody will rightly covet this pipe.  New. Price: $495
6 3/4" long, bowl 2 5/8" high. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 83 grams.
Bonfiglioli "Natural" large bent #726341
This pipe is also a natural, so if there were any flaws in the
wood, you would see them.  It does not, however, have the nice
grain pattern of the Bonfiglioli #339, shown above (if it hasn't
sold).  Nor does it have a rough (plateau) rim, as does #339.
6 1/8" long, bowl 2.5" high. Weight: 4 oz., 115 grms. New. $170
Castello Natural Vergin KK #726439
Thanks, I think, to Greg Pease, the Castello 10 shape has
become very popular.  Well, yes, Greg's taste is impeccable,
but really, it's only impeccable for Greg.  What if he had seen
this terrific little cross between between a Pot and a Billiard.  
Might not this have whetted his appetite as well?  I'll bet it
would.  I might give him a call and find out...we haven't talked in
a while anyway.  Personally, I like this shape better, but that's
just me.  The smooth top shows cross grain.  New. Price: $295
4 3/4" long, bowl 1 9/16" high. Weight: 1 1/4 oz., 36 grams.
Paolo Becker 3 Club #726442
The tobacco chamber of this pipe is large enough for me to get
my thumb into.  I'm not sure whether this is a straight Prince in
shape, or perhaps a squashed Apple, but it certainly is
comfortable in the hand.  In an era when pipes over $150 are
difficult to sell, Paolo is still a very hot pipemaker.  I just wish he
would stop coating the interior of his bowls.  I don't understand
that practice at all.  New.  Price: $450
6 9/16" long, bowl 1 1/2" high. Weight: 1.87 oz., 53.2 grams.
Paolo Becker Two Club #98719
Along with the ultra-comfortable shape and feel comes a very
nice ring grain.  It's not a particularly large pipe, but the bowl is
wide enough to easily accomodate my thumb.  New. Price:$440
5 1/4" long, bowl 1 3/8" high. Weight: 1.75 oz., 52 grams.
Paolo Becker Two Club Square Shanked Billiard #98695
A blast that is full of character, a bowl that tapers just a bit from
bottom to top, and a shank that is squared off on the sides
make this a beautiful modification of a standard tall bowled
Billiard.  Although the bottom of the shank is not squared off,
the pipe does sit up quite readily.  New.   (SOLD)
5 13/16" long, bowl 2 5/8" tall.  Weight: 1.25 oz., 36.5 grams.
LeMarche Flame Grain #98672
This large pipe can be smoked either with or without a 9mm
filter.  It also sports an adapter, in case you don't like the idea
of an open tenon, although it really makes no difference in the
quality of smoke, in my experience.  New. Price:$90.
5 7/8" long, bowl 2" high. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 81 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: $1750
6 7/8" long, bowl 2.75" high.  Weight: 4.25 oz., 122 grams.
Bonfiglioli "Rooster" #98660
Please do not ask my why Alberto decided to call this a
"Rooster."  I have no idea.  I do know that it is big, as Alberto's
pipes tend to be.  This one easily takes a thumb into the
tobacco chamber.  The draw is so open that even with the huge
chamber fully packed, it should be quite easy to smoke.  
6 1/2" long, bowl 2.75" high. Weight: 4 5/8 oz., 133 grams.
New. Price: $195
Becker One Diamond #10271041
Much like a stack, but with a bit of a taper, as in a Dublin.  
There are some  slight dings on the pipe, such as a scratch on
the shank near where it says "Becker," and a ding on the front
of the bowl.  I might try to steam that out a bit. More importantly,
this must be a replacement stem because there is no 'b' logo.  
It is lucite, however, as the original would be.The tobacco
chamber and the rim are in fine condition.  Used. $125
5 13/16" long, bowl 2 7/16" high. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams.
Castello "Castello" 4K Shape 10 #12151353 (SOLD 7/22/08)
Probably has enough s/g to rate as a Collection.  New. $495
4.75" long, bowl 2.25" high. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams
Castello Natrual Vergin 4K #12151350
It doesn't specify on the bottom, but this must be a shape #65.
In my opinion, it could also be a 'G' in size.  Have I mentioned
that the new price list just came out, with about a 10% price
hike across the board.  It isn't really a price hike for the people
that make and sell the pipes because the dollar has fallen more
than 10% this past year against the Euro, so don't blame
Castello.  New. $360.
5.8" long, bowl 2.25" high. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 74 grams.
Le Marche Straight Grain Apple #726332
This pipe isolated itself from the other Le Marche pipes above,
whether from feelings of superiority or inferiority I just don't
know.  The quality of the wood, the openness of the draw would
give it plenty to feel good about.  The rather high drilling of the
air hole from the bottom of the bowl might be what makes it feel
bad.  Pipes can be such complicated people, can't they?  New.
5 3/4" long, bowl 1 15/16" high. Weight: 3 1/4 oz., 92 grms. $90
Castello 4K Collection #12151351  
Could this rate as a Fiamatta?  Perhaps.  To quote one of my
customers, "I've seen worse grain on a Fiamatta."  Of course,
he's also seen better, but what value would there be for me in
giving space to that sentiment?  New. $690
5.8" long, bowl 2.25" high. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams.  
Castello Old Antiquari  4K#12151357
With a wonderful, deep ring grain and a slim shank, this strikes
me, and should strike  you, as a great pipe.  It is large,
however, and could easily be called a G.  New. Price: $370
6.15" long, bowl 2.16" high. Weight: 1.75 oz., 49 grams.