I have had an extensive collection of other brands, including artisan pipes, in my collections over the years, with which to draw these comparisons. However for me peterson pipes have a special place and attraction. Their historical elegance coupled to Celtic charisma and eccentricity adds to a massive world wide following and popularity.
Most of the standard systems are made from good quality briar. There are fourteen models to choose from, with a choice of highly polished or rustic finish. Nearly all are bents, except for one straight model, shape reference 31. As well as the traditional Walnut finish, there are also additional colour choices with red and ebony, plus rusticated and sandblast. Prices can vary considerably from around $88 for a basic finish System and up to $250 for a Deluxe. The Peterson System pipes are the standard bearers of the Peterson pipe family, famous for the excellent smoking pleasure they provide.
is one of the premier company’s and has been since 1865. The traditional and well renowned brand has the unique blend of innovation and ability to hold on to the virtues of the original craftsmanship of pipe making. The company is based in Dublin and has, along with traditional shapes and materials, created a new expansive line of pipes, that you will find a wide variety of on this site. The modern Captain Pete line available from Cup O’Joe’s is an exclusive issue by Peterson for the US retailer. They are XL size pipes that mirror the Kinsale and SH series of pipes with slightly shorter plip mouthpieces.
He considered that at the end of the day, a pipe is basically a consumer product and the consumer does like something new every so often. 1987 saw the introduction and Issue of the first Sherlock Holmes ‘Original’ Series of pipes. The Sherlock Holmes series is probably the most successful series of pipes ever introduced by Peterson in terms of numbers. It was first issued to honour Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous fictitious detective character, Sherlock Holmes.
Peterson has only had five or six silversmiths in its long history (an amazing fact), and each has had his distinctive style of turning. The pipe shown here has a sterling band, and is stamped with the old maker’s mark K & P in shields over STERLING over SILVER and to the right PETERSON captain black tobacco over a ruled line over DUBLIN. Looking at the hallmark chart in the encyclopedia chapter, we read that, having no hallmarks, this ferrule was turned between 1939 and 1968. During many of those years and even today in some lines, the K & P shields are used as a sterling mark.