italian

Pulvers' Prior Briar
P.O. Box 61146
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Phone/Fax:
(650) 965-7403
Email:
mpulvers@aol.com

Pipe
Categories:

Castello Collection Fiammata #530015DS

Handsome, graceful and fairly large, with a tall bowl. The
condition here is excellent and the straight grain is thin and
tight. The pipe was made before 1987.
5.5" long, bowl 2.55" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 68 grams. $695.

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. $375

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. $195

Castello 2K Collection #421044SR

By today's standards, this is probably a Fiammata. Wood is
just not what it was. Indeed, I have heard that there is such a
paucity of briar that everything coming onto the market is made
of Grecian briar, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Anyhow,
this pipe is in exc. cond. and has an open draw, plus a stem
that is as comfortable as any Castello stem I've encountered.
The size is about a Dunhill Grp. 5 in size, and check out the
price. If new, these pipes are supposed to retail at $615.
5.4" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 42 grams. price: $250

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: $2165

6 7/8" long, bowl 2.75" high. Weight: 4.25 oz., 122 grams.

Il Ceppo #308054JJ

The dark brindle stem provides a great contrast to the stain on
the bowl. The blast, as you can see, is complex enough to
command your interest each time you look at the pipe. The
bowl capacity is quite large and has the added advantage of
being uncoated. The draw is open and a cleaner goes right
through to the bottom of as close to a perfectly drilled bent pipe
as I have seen, at any price.
5.6" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 57 grams. Price: $220.

Castello 4K Sea Rock #7213314

It's the spiral shank that distinguishes this from others of its ilk.
The rest you know, as it's a Castello. New. Price: $380
5.5" long, bowl 1.68" high. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 59 grams.

Mastro Beraldi #421134JJ (SOLD 5/18/12)

A large poker...almost a Barrel, or a Tun in terms of bowl shape.
Despite rather thick chamber walls, my thumb fits (tightly) into
the bowl. The draw is open and the wood is clean, if not
dripping with 360 degree straight grain. Despite their great
price point, each Mastro Beraldi is unique...each being hand
made by either the father or son Pierluigi.
5.45" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 83 grams. $130.

Castello 4K Old Antiquari #5225327

This is such a pretty little shape, with such a comfortable feel to
it that I bought two of them. New. Price: $400
5.85" long, bowl 1.8"high. Weight: 1 1/4 oz., 37 grams.

Paolo Becker Two Club #1225078DF

I think this shape is called the Tomato, or Squashed Tomato, in
this case. it's a beautiful job, as expected, from Paolo. it is
large, and heavy and feels great in the hand when the bowl is
clutched in the fist. It sits up, and if you like, spins around
easily. My thumb fits easily into the bowl chamber.
6" long, bowl 1.45" tall. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 83 grams. $480.

Ascorti Sabbia D'Oro #112301 (SOLD 5/1/12)

The pipe is in near-new condition, so no sense in wasting
space on that. The draw is open, so no sense on wasting time
on that, either. What we're quibbling about here is how much
you like this eye-catching shape and then how much you're
willing to spring for it. My request is more than fair. Your turn.
6" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 43 grams. Price: $80

Castello 2K Old Antiquari #12186526 (SOLD 5/17/12)

The blast is better on the side not photographed, although with
the value it represents in today's market, it should not matter.
The 2K size, by the way, is plenty large enough. It certainly
matches a Dunhill Group 4. New. Price: $370
5.6" long, bowl 1.5" high. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 46 grams.

Savinelli Punto Oro EX #308225

This really is an "EX." The bowl is more than 2.5" tall. The
cross grain is quite good. The stem, however, does not have
the gold dot, but a replacement stem is usually better than what
Savinelli supplies its pipes with, in my very experienced opinion.
The cond. is exc. and the draw open.
6" long, bowl 2.65" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 48 grams. $50.

Castello 2K Old Antiquari #12186525

As one of my customers noted, the Castello that was once
considered a very high, perhaps overpriced, pipe now has to be
seen as providing great value for the quality. New. Price: $370
5.6" long, bowl 1.6" high. Weight: 1.75 oz., 51 grams.

Radice Silk #514 8260

A large sandblast, into who's bowl I can insert my thumb. One
of the almost incontrovertible benefits of Italian pipes is the
access the good pipe makers have to good, large blocks of
briar. They get first, local crack of the wood and take
advantage of it. This pipe is a good example of that ability. New.
6" long, 2.2" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams. Price: $150

Castello Collection #1149437

I would really like to know why this is not a Fiammata. All it has,
all around, is straight grain. it's pretty small, but I do get my
index finger into the bowl. To me, it's a perfect Grp. 4 size.
5.85" long, bowl 1.85" tall. Weight: 1 1/4 oz. 36 grams. $730

Castello "Castello" 4K #1031 8889

Here is, yet again, another shape 55 by Castello at a great
price. And again, there is a lot of straight grain around the
bowl, and that which is not straight is still solid. I don't think
there's a weak spot on the pipe. The rim is Bird's Eye, as you
would expect. In transit, a tiny ding was made on the outer rim.
I might be able to steam it out, but it's so small I'm inclined to
leave it. It might help you treat this like a pipe and not a
museum object. Up to you. The price remains the same.
5.4" long, bowl 1.7" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. Price: $450

Castello 4K Old Antiquari #1031 8883

You could easily enough call this a Stack. From top to bottom
the ring grain encircles the bowl and the thin, but not
pencil-like, shank adds grace and refinement. The light weight
of the pipe lets you know how well the briar was aged. Of
course, the draw is wide open. New. Price: $335
5.9" long, bowl 2.3" tall. Weight: 1 1/4 oz., 34 grams.

Radice Silk Cut Oil Cured Twin Bore 818 8646PJ (SOLD)

This is one of those rare pieces of wood that is big enough and
good enough to be both a mantle piece as well as a
sit-in-the-armchair smoker. The blast is a scene stealer; the
chamber big enough to bury a thumb in. Not a common find.
10.5" long, bowl 3.5" tall. Weight: 4.5 oz., 126 grams. $125

Paolo Becker #9130249 (SOLD 5/6/12)

I get a sense of satisfaction putting a Paolo Becker pipe as the
lead on the Italian page, as in 'the number one Italian pipe
maker should get the number one slot.' This chunky, yet
elegant Morta has thick walls, a chamber into which you can put
your thumb, yet is surprisingly light. Brindle stem & open draw.
6" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 74 grams. $560

Castello 3K Sea Rock #1149427

Although it doesn't have it stamped on the bottom, this is shape
#65, Castello's signature shape. Thick chamber walls, a good
draw and that comfortable hanging bend.
5" long, bowl 2.1" tall. weight: 2 1/8 oz., 61 grams. Price: $375

Castello 3K Old Antiquari Great Line #1031 9032

You can see that this is made of very hard briar, and in some
places the blast almost reminds of lava rock. As thick as are
the chamber walls (9/16" wide) the chamber still easily takes my
thumb. The draw is, of course for Castello, wide-open.
6" long, bowl 2.8" tall. Weight: 3 3/8 oz., 96 grams. $625

Castello 2K Trade Mark #1031 9054

This may have better grain than most Trade Mark level pipes
from Castello, but I consider that secondary to the compact,
attractive shape and wide-open draw of an Apple. The Apple
feels so good in the hand, as does this, with the added benefit
of being small enough to shove in a pocket and bring-along.
5.15" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 42 grams. $415.

Castello 2K Old Antiquari #1031 9060 (SOLD 4/27/12)

A small, nearly perfectly sized Billiard for some of us with terrific
sandblasted ring grain, deep and visually captivating. My idea
of a great pipe. Not yours, necessarily, but certainly mine.
5.75" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 1 oz., 29 grams. $335

Castello 2002 Occhio di Pernice #349944

A new pipe in Castello's signature shape 65. This is a terrific
rendering of that shape, with a fine cross-grain pattern. The
draw is wide-open and a pipe cleaner slides right to the bottom.
5.15" long, bowl 2.15" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams. $650

Castello 1998 Pipe of the Year Sea Rock #913289JT

This unsmoked 1998 Pipe of the Year comes with its original
sleeve (different than the standard Castello glove) as well as
the original box, which is also unique to the POY. The draw is
wide open and the bowl, as always, is uncoated and virginal.
Despite a mostly smooth bowl, the pipe is called a Sea Rock.
6.4" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams. Price: $725.

Castello 4K Old Antiquari #345739

When I was learning about pipes, I was told that the number if
Ks on a rusticated Castello indicated size and on a smooth
piece they indicated grain quality. The more Ks the bigger or
better grained the pipe. This is a 4K and it is not large. it
does, however, exhibit excellent straight grain through the blast.
Plateau top, uncoated bowl & wide-open draw. All for the best.
5" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 43 grams. Price: $415

Castello 2K Trademark #1149423

Good cross grain for a Trademark and a smallish (about Grp. 4)
pipe. The Billiard shape still sell the best because it is the best.
5.5" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 1 1/8 oz., 32 grams. $415

Davidoff #480076GN

Davidoff may be breaking the law by bringing goods into the
U.S. without indicating country of origin. How do they get away
with that? Well, I'm going to assume that what I've always
heard is true, i.e. their pipes are made in Italy. This one is in
excellent condition. Davidoff pipes don't show up often.
5.1" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 48 grams. $95

Il Ceppo 308045JJ

the stem is not amber, of course, but it has that sense about it
and that adds wonderfully to this pipe, with its uncoated
tobacco chamber, proving the pipe maker loves you. The draw
is wide open and the stem flat and comfortable. As with almost
all Il Ceppos, the blast gives the pipe it's extra greatness.
5.7" long, bowl 1.95" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 42 grams. $225.

Il Ceppo #308041JJ (SOLD 4/25/12)

The traditional shapes are the ones that smoke best, that is
why they are still made in the greatest numbers and why people
pick them up most. This fairly large Dublin has terrific ring
grain with Il Ceppo's signature and beautiful blast. The
chamber is uncoated and the virgin rim creates a smooth
looking contrast. The draw is wide open, so all systems are go.
6" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 39 grams. Price. $220.

Becker 2 Club #308051JJ

Here is nothing but a great little Stubby. Yup, a Stubby Kay.
Anybody out there remember Stubby Kay, the 5 x 5 actor who
played Nicely Nicely Johnson in the original B'way version of
"Guys and Dolls"? He sang "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the
Boat." He would have made in interesting picture with this pipe.
4.5" long, bowl 1.8" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 55 grams. Price: $595.

Castello Great Line #349761

Unless it's the plateau rim, I don't understand why this is a
Greatline and not, say, a Fiammata. Well, it's a small Greatline.
5.5" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 44 grams. Price: $760

Luigi Viprati #530159SR

Larger than it looks; I can get my thumb into the chamber. You
can see the load of straight grain and the draw is wide-open.
Like all Viprati pipes, apparently, he leaves the bowl uncoated.
6" long, bowl 2.15" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams. Price: $275

Paolo Becker 2 Club #308063JJ

I'm so glad that I don't have to remember shape names
anymore. I post the photo and you see what is there. This
bowl is shaped like some kind of cooking pot, but I can't
remember from what country or culture. Or maybe it's the
shape of a decorative ceramic. It has an open draw, but the
weight of the bowl will prohibit you from hanging this in your
mouth. But, it's so comfortably round in the hand it's almost like
a baseball. (No, it's not that big, but it is large.)
6.6" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 3 oz., 84 grams. Price: $480.

Paronelli Churchwarden #9130214

In so many ways, a Churchwarden is a Churchwarden, I
suppose. However, what will make these different is that most
of the Churchwardens you see are indifferently made so as to
provide nothing more than a long-stemmed pipe. The pieces
presented on this page are Paronelli made pipes, so you are
almost guaranteed top quality, well aged briar for a great smoke
11.9" long, bowl 1.65" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 70 grams. $79

Il Duca DD Barone #6270313

Graceful in the way of Dunhill 120s, with a slightly smaller curve.
The grain and the blast reveal a hard briar and the brindle
stem give it an added dimension. The chamber diameter is not
large, but the depth of the bowl will provide for a long smoke.
5.8" long, bowl 2.3" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 52 grams. $195.

Savinelli DeLuxe EX #627007JTL (RESERVED)

There's a lot of straight grain on one side of this pipe's bowl.
The other side is open and the draw is good. This is an
unsmoked pipe, so you can break it in your way. There are
visible fills on the bowl and it is rather large, as is the EX's wont.
6" long, bowl 2.15" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams. Price: $45

Amorelli Elaborata #421195

Not thick with great grain, but the stain reveals a very clean
piece of briar. Plus, I think the patina bodes very well for the
way this pipe wil smoke. I'm good at using the wood's subtle
patina as an indicator. I don't know why, but it works. And, a
big help is the uncoated chamber. Cool price, too.
5.6" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz. 48 grams. Price: $225

Il Duca DD Barone #6270315

The blast is not pronounced and the stain gives it a dull look,
but the construction and superb stem work can easily win you
over. The exotic wood trim gives it an elegant touch and you
know that Max's attention provides an open draw.
5.7" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 40 grams. Price: $230.

Gamboni #6270297

A good, clean version of a Lumberman with a blast that
illuminates hard briar with good grain. The narrow stem
complements the thin shank and the green, bowling ball stem is
much more muted in person, the color evidently getting
exaggerated by the light needed to photograph the black pipe.
5.5" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 1/4 oz., 36 grams. $175.

Il Duca 3 D Barone #6270305

The blast reveals terrific grain and the uncoated bowl reveals
anything you might want to see regarding the quality of the
briar. No secrets covered up by charcoal here. Thus, you can
break it in to suit your taste, not some neutral, boring taste
dictated by an impregnable bowl coating. The stem button has
that round, old-timey construction. The pipe is a Grp. 4 in size.
5.25" long, bowl 1.95" tall. Weight: 1 1/4 oz., 37 grams. $290.

Don Carlos #308062

Along with the legendary, aged briar of Don Carlos (and I have,
indeed, seen the briar repository and the amount of old, still
aging briar) and its attendant smoking quality is the uncoated
bowl of this pipe. Open draw and great flat, comfortable stem.
5.7" long, bowl 1.8" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 44 grams. $195.

Il Ceppo #308037JJ

I'll be posting a half dozen Il Ceppo pipes this segment, and
pardon me if I repeat myself in saying what an underrated pipe
it is. They consistently have some of the finest grained
sandblasts in the field. They use top notch, well aged briar and
are made and overseen by just one artisan, Franco Rossi. The
problem? Possibly the name, which may suggest "cheap" to
some (it simply refers to the briar burl from which pipes are
made) or the unfortunately large, and to some reversed "C"
logo on the stem. In any case, My thumb fits into this bowl.
5.9" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 70 grams. Price: $275.

Paolo Becker Two Club Giant #9130265

Not just beautiful, but big and beautiful, with a bowl height just
short of 3" tall. Paolo is mostly known for the most refined
pipes made in Italy, and for the most part, that means relatively
small, but he can apply his skill for the Extral Large man, too.
6.5" long, bowl 2.7" tall. Weight: 4 3/4 oz., 134 grams. $520.

Baldo Baldi #308094 (RESERVED)

This is a large pipe with a large chamber and lots and lots of
straight grain to embrace it. The bottom of the bowl is plateau
and the pipe does sit up. Despite all the curves, the
construction is such that the draw is wide open. It does look as
though somebody got a bit over enthusiastic and a small, short
drill into the bottom of the chamber is visible. I can't imagine
that effecting anything.
4.7" long, bowl 2.65" tall. Weight: 4 3/8 oz., 123 grams. $1350

Paolo Becker 2 Club Giant #9130260 (SOLD 5/20/12)

Paolo knows how to develop a deep, sharp sandblast, as
evidenced in this large Dublin. The bowl is complemented by
the thick walls and the smooth, brown rim and reddish brown of
the brindle stem. The draw is, of course, wide open.
6.8" long, bowl 2.6" tall. Weight: 3 7/8 oz., 109 grams. $520.

Paolo Becker 2 Club #9130241

This is a large pipe and probably just missed getting stamped
with a "G" for Giant. Certainly my thumb fits easily into the
chamber. The blast is typically deep and sharp, a signature of
Paolo's work. The draw is also expectedly fully open.
6.7" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 3 oz., 65 grams. Price: $595.

Don Carlos #308053JJ

Not a huge Billiard, but certainly a large piece. Thumb not only
goes into bowl, but sinks way down into it. The draw is wide
open and the stem is flat and comfortable. Maybe best of all is
the uncoated chamber, so you can develop your own flavor.
6.2" long, bowl 2.4" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. Price: $195.

Don Carlos #308067JJ (SOLD 5/15/12)

Sized large enough so that my thumb fits into the chamber, yet
light and with a very flat stem that is also narrow and thus
exceedingly comfortable in the mouth to such as I. You might
prefer a different stem. Uncoated chamber. Hooray. Light in
weight for size. 6" long. Weight: 1.5 oz., 43 grams. $195.

Mastro Beraldi #421006JJ

The father and son theam that makes the Mastro Beraldi pipes
one-at-a-time in Rome like to have fun with all of their
adornments. If you like a little color in your pipes, this is a
company to keep an eye on. What you are also getting, for a
very fair price, is clean, fill-free briar of a high order and a wide
open draw and an air hole that takes a cleaner straight through
to the properly drilled opening at the bottom of the bowl.
5.75" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams. $130.

Radice Rubino #1028194KF (SOLD)

Although the stem is thick and rounded, you can hold this pipe
in your mouth because the button is nicely defined and solid.
The rest of it you can pretty much see for yourself, including
the fact that the bowl is uncoated. It's not a huge pipe, but I
can get my thumb into the chamber. the draw is open and a
pipe cleaner certainly goes straight through. the wood is pure
Radice, so a good smoke is almost assured.
5.5" long, bowl 1.7" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 72 grams. Price: $175.

Mastro Beraldi #421020JJ

About a large Grp. 5 in size, with thick walls and a flat bottom so
that it sits up like a Poker. A pipe cleaner goes right through to
the bottom of the bowl, where the air hole is correctly placed.
The draw is open. The stem here is made of vulcanite; in the
future, almost all of these pipes will be using acrylic, due to the
unavailability of good quality vulcanite.
5.75" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 2 1/4 oz., 63 grams. $115.

Ser Jacopo S2 #9130168 (SOLD 12/27/11)

This Hawkbill is a bit different in that the stem has a bit of a
saddle. I think it's slightly exaggerated looking in the photo, but
it is definitely there and works just fine. The draw is wide-open
and the pipe easily takes a cleaner straight to the bowl.
5.5" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 68 grams. Price: $265

Ser Jacopo R1 #9130186

Rustication usually doesn't appeal that much to me because it
typically represents an oft repeated, uninteresting pattern.
This rustication doesn't match that description with a deep and
varying cut. Great textured feeling in the hand, too. Wide
open draw that takes a cleaner as it should.
5.4" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 70 grams. Price: $220.

Ser Jacopo Picta 4 L2 #10280068DB (SOLD 11/6/11)

For the measly few bucks we're charging, you can spring and
get this shape in the two smooth finishes that we have posted.
A thin, narrow and thus comfortable stem, an open draw and an
uncoated bowl conspire to make this a great smoker, especially
considering the aged briar that Ser Jacopo has. Let me add
that the retail on this is $495; don't rub your eyes when you see
our price...it is a bit of a fire sale by the original owner.
6.5" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 38 grams. $225.

Savinelli DeLuxe EX Shape 121 #9130175JTL (SOLD 12/3)

Besides being large, well made and unsmoked, it also had
pretty good cross grain. The draw is open and the bowl large
enough to easily take my thumb.
6.25" long, bowl 1.85" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 68 grams. $65.

Savinelli Estella Shape 604 KS #9130170

The bowl is tall and somewhat narrow. The stem is a green
acrylic and despite a flate bottom, the pipe barely sits up.
Probably does a better job of it with tobacco in the bowl. The
cond. is excellent, the draw open, esp. considering the shape.
4.45" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams. Price: $45.

Paronelli Churchwarden #9130220

The bowl shape is on the Appley side for this well made pipe by
Italian legend Paronelli. Despite the length of the stem, the
draw is open and the diameter of the bowl will provide a longer
smoke than one usually gets in a Churchwarden.
12.25" long, bowl 1.6" tall. Weight: 2 1/4 oz., 64 grams. $79.

L'Anatra Fiammata One Egg #1028205KF (SOLD 12/22/11)

Originally, I missed seeing the "Fiammata" next to the outline of
the single egg and severely underpriced this pipe. With the
help of an eagle-eyed consignor, that has been corrected and
your opportunity to steal this pipe is gone. Hooray for us. The
condition is excellent, the draw is open and the tobacco
chamber is large enough to take my thumb. The touch of
plateau on the rim indicates that the wood comes from the
outside part of the burl, which is the best part. Towards the
center, it's too soft. The flat logo on the stem is original.
6" long, bowl 2.25" tall. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 81 grams. $160.

Don Carlos Mozart #308035JJ

Some years back, David Field and I walked into Bruto Sordini's

workshop as he was finishing a prototype for this shape. He
was also smoking a working model. He was very proud of it and
believed it was exceedingly comfortable, which it was and is.
This one is light in weight and has a wide-open draw, plus a
very favorable price. It is compact, but with a bowl large
enough to give a long, pleasant smoke. It does sit up.
5" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 39 grams. Price: $275.

Caminetto #421062 (SOLD 5/15/12)

To the astute, I offer this very fine deal...a Caminetto Sable
D'Oro in near-new cond. for only $85. That's about 1/4 of the
pipe's retail price. But more important, Caminetto has earned a
reputation as a very good smoker. Not as good as the first year
of production with the Ascorti-Radice names on the pipes, of
course, but quite good. This one is mid-large and has a great
feel in the hand. The flat stem is very comfortable in the mouth.
5 1/3" long, bowl 2 1/4" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 55 grams. Price: $85.

Castello Collection K from 40th Year #1225160

There are at least two unusual aspects to this pipe, from my
vantage. One is that for a Collection grade, the grain is very
mediocre, although the briar is exceedingly clean...I'll grant that.
Next is the perspex stem, which has no logo on it. On a new
pipe, it's unlikely to be a replacement ..why would someone put
this stem on, given the opportunity to put on something else?
5.95" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 55 grams. $435

Il Ceppo #308048JJ

A handsome, ring-grained, straight grained classic Lovat. The
draw is wide-open and the chamber is large enough to take my
thumb. You can't quite see it, but there is a very nice design
touch with the rounded bottom. Nonetheless, the pipe sits up.
5.5" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 49 grams. $265.

Il Ceppo 308057JJ

Here's a horn that is shaped so as not to spill embers on your
slacks. The draw is open and the weight is light. Quite
comfortable to hold, and, the always interesting Il Ceppo blast.
6" long. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 47 grams. Price: $220.

Amorelli 3 Nail Elaborata #421191 (SOLD 5/16/12)

Because it's a large pipe, with a chamber into which I can fit my
thumb, the 1 3/4 oz. weight feels light when you pick up this
pipe. The drilling puts the hole right where it should be on the
bottom of the bowl and the straight grain goes all around. And
how keen that this Sicilian-made pipe has no bowl coating.
5.8" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 51 grams. Price: $75.

Amorelli 4 nail Bussby #421221 (SOLD 5/16/12)

The 4 Nail designation has to do with the grain quality.
the bowl is lare and deep and the draw is good.
6" long, bowl 2.15" tall. Weight: 2 1/4 oz. 64 grams. price: $75

Mastro Beraldi #421001JJ

A fairly large Billiard, but with thick enough chamber walls so
that the inner capacity is a not overly large 13/16". The draw is
wide open, and for those, like me, who enjoy the feel of a
textured finish, the pleasure of holding a solid pipe.
6.3" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 62 grams. Price: $115